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csc0312 Publish time 2009-6-22 14:18

Railroading Stitching Method

Edited by anniekins at 2016-11-4 11:41

You can use a technique called "Railroading" to prevent the floss from twisting!

Here’s how to do it :
Stitch by bringing the needle up through the fabric and pull the floss along the fabric in the direction that the stitch will go (so the floss is lying flat over the hole where the needle will go down). If the strands are not perfectly flat and parallel, give them a flick with your fingernail to smooth them. Then insert the needle between the strands (be careful not to split a strand) and go down to complete the leg.


Below are more detailed steps:
- pull needle up from the fabric


- use fingers to hold the floss


- needle go down in between of the floss


- the 1st half stitch done


- repeat the same for the other half stitch


- done for full stitch


After sometimes, when you are used to this stitching method, you may not need to hold your floss with fingers, and directly put the needle go through the between of the flosses.


Here are the effects of the "Railroading" stitching method:

Morganza Publish time 2017-5-5 16:36

Thank you, this is very interesting and it does look very neat. My problem usually is, as someone mentioned, I end up with one strand significantly shorter than the other. Yet, I wonder, with this method, is it possible to "undo" the stitches? I am making mistakes quite regularly and have to go back. With normal stitches it is not difficult, but i wonder how it would be when one uses this method. If someone has experience about this, I would be very interested.

Elopy Publish time 2025-9-12 04:39

What are the best techniques for working with metallic thread when railroading to prevent tangling and breakage

windsonghero Publish time 2025-9-8 04:29

I use railroading but have also been debating adding a laying tool to my stitching.

blackbutterfly6 Publish time 2025-8-30 09:32

Gracias por compartirlo

NIEVESSER Publish time 2025-3-24 18:57

lo probare, gracias

Marumi Publish time 2025-3-23 00:10

Thanks for the info!

Hamsteren09 Publish time 2009-6-22 14:55

Thank you. It really helps!

csc0312 Publish time 2009-6-22 15:05

I am using this method to stitch my "Pink Lily", coz I used 3 strands on 14ct, and the flosses always get twisted......:L

Hamsteren09 Publish time 2009-6-22 15:42

I thought railroad is only for 2 threads? When I use more than 2, I use laying tool or tekobari (the Japanese name for laying tool, since its use for Japanese embroidery).

csc0312 Publish time 2009-6-22 15:47

Yes, it mostly apply to s strands, but can also be used on 3 strands.

What is laying tool or tekobari?

nadinex Publish time 2009-6-25 03:39

it is a good method :)

sarah Publish time 2009-8-9 10:23

wow, a good explanation,thanks

sarah Publish time 2009-11-26 12:06

I will use the method to get the flat effect,thanks

MACA Publish time 2009-11-26 21:06

Thanks for the advise I think its quite useful !!

StitchAndi Publish time 2010-1-7 02:05

Great photos, thanks for the tip

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