Railroading Stitching Method

csc0312

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

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.

bluedales

Hi, you just unpick the same as normal all you are doing with railroading is making the stitches lay flat and the thread from twisting as you do the stitch. You use this method when using two threads together 2 over 2 sounpicking is just the same.  Hope this helps.

popsjens

Ik gebruik deze methode sinds kort en ondanks dat je wat langzamer borduurt vind ik het waard om het te doen de draden vooral van de donkere kleuren liggen mooi naast elkaar en het ziet er veel mooier uit. Ben nogal een pietje precies dus is deze methode super voor mij

hardesja

I forgot about this method.  Probably because I still cannot get the strands to lie flat and it takes me so much longer.  But I think I am inspired to try railroad method again on the new project I plan to start tonight.

penquinqueen

penquinqueen 2017-5-21 08:12
I'm going to try the railroading on my next project. Seems like it will make the piece look even bet ...

I did try and I just cant get the hang of it !
I have to try again ,as the stitches in the above photo look beautiful

akita

Interesting, thank you. I usually run the needle between the threads without holding them down, works most of the time, but not always. I will try this method on my next project.

bonni

I have never tried this but it would certainly make your stitching more even especially if you are stitching  block of colour.  Thank you.

estella24

A mi lo que me suele pAsar es que comienzo con las dos hebras del mismo tamaño. Pero siempre acabo con una más corta que la otra. Y no se porque me pasa.

riccichan

How have I never heard about this? I'm going to put it into practice right away! Thank you so much for sharing this detailed explanation.

Hamsteren09

Thank you. It really helps!

csc0312

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

Hamsteren09

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 it's use for Japanese embroidery).

csc0312

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

What is laying tool or tekobari?

nadinex

it is a good method

sarah

wow, a good explanation,thanks

sarah

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

MACA

Thanks for the advise I think it's quite useful !!

StitchAndi

Great photos, thanks for the tip