the four P's of padded satin stitch
Preparation: Starch and iron fabric. Trace embroidery design onto fabric with a soft graphite pencil such as a 2B or 3B. Sharpen the pencil then drag it across a piece of paper while twirling it back and forth a few times to knock off any sharp edges. Work split stitch just inside the marked outlines. Fill the interior of the motif with long surface stitches that completely cover the fabric.
Precision: Use a #12 sharp needle and one strand of floss for the most accurate needle placement. Good lighting is a must.
Practice: Even if you are familiar with padded satin stitch, practice on an unused corner of the fabric with the exact needle, thread and motifs to be used in your project. If you have never attempted padded satin stitch, practice until you are comfortable with your results.
Patience: Satin stitch is one of the most simple embroidery stitches to execute - the needle comes up on one side, goes down on the other. Satin stitch's simplicity, however, means that there are no forgiving knots, twists, loops, etc. to camouflage any imperfections. Be willing to devote some time to practicing and executing this stitch.
