Question: What's the Difference Between Stem Stitch and Outline Stitch?
I have seen projects in older embroidery books calling for outline stitch instead of stem stitch, but they look alike to me. What's the difference between them?
Answer:
Not much, actually!
These stitches are both worked in the same manner. The only real difference between them is that the stem stitch is worked with the working thread placed below the needle, and outline stitch is worked having the working thread placed above the needle.
Stem stitch and outline stitch can be used interchangeably.