Backstitch or
back stitch and its variants
stem stitch,
outline stitch and
split stitch are a class of
embroidery and
sewing stitches in which individual stitches are made backward to the general direction of
sewing. In embroidery, these stitches form lines and are most often used to outline shapes and to add fine detail to an embroidered picture. It is used as a hand-sewing utility stitch to attach definitively and strongly two pieces of
fabric together. It is also used for writing.