Portuguese Stem Stitch

Portuguese Stem Stitch

Hand embroidery stitches

Portuguese Stem Stitch is also known as Portuguese knotted stem stitch.
This linear stitch is a variation of ordinary stem stitch that creates a knotted, rope-like line which can be accentuated by using a heavy solid twisted thread such as pearl cotton.

The advantage of this stitch is that just about anything stem stitch can do Portuguese Stem will do it chunkier! You can work it on even-weave or plain fabrics and it follows a curve well making it ideal for outlining shapes.

Try Portuguese stem stitch in different threads. I have worked Portuguese Stem Stitch in quite thick thread too, such as anchor soft cotton which is as thick as 5 ply wool. It is effective on heavy fabrics such as denim because it is a slightly heavy stitch, which seems to stand clear of the fabric. On the other hand, if you work it in a fine thread it can take on a delicate organic appearance.

How to work Portuguese stem stitch

Portuguese stem stitch step 1

I find Portuguese Stem stitch is best worked starting at the bottom and working towards the top.
Various books say to work from left to right but I do not do it that way. Try it the way the books say but if you find you are working in an uneven manner turn the work.
Bring the thread through from the back of the fabric and make a small stitch picking up a small piece of material as you would if you were working a stem stitch.

Bring the thread out to left. The first stitch should look like this.

Portuguese stem stitch step 2

Take the needle and thread it under the first stitch. Make sure do not pick up any fabric.
You are actually whipping this stitch. It should look like this.

Portuguese stem stitch step 3

Whip the stitch a second time. These two whipping stitches form the knot like appearance.

Portuguese stem stitch step 4
Portuguese stem stitch step 5

Move along the line and make a small stitch picking up a small piece of material as you would if you were working a stem stitch. Bring your thread out as illustrated.

Portuguese stem stitch step 6

Take the needle and thread it under the stitch. Once again you are whipping the stitch so make sure do not pick up any fabric.

Portuguese stem stitch step 7

Whip the second time and continue the row.

Portuguese stem stitch step 8
Portuguese stem stitch

Here I used Portuguese stem stitch on a crazy quilt block. Using a water-dissolvable pen I traced the curves from my stitchers templates, then using a hand dyed cotton crochet thread I worked the lines in Portuguese Stem. I added the hand dyed lace flowers and secured them with beads.

Block 14 dark diamond detail 1

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Happy stitching!


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