How to hand embroider Bullion Vandyke Stitch

Bullion Vandyke stitch is an interesting variety of two stitches the first being  Vandyke stitch and the second being a Bullion Knot

This stitch creates a heavily textured line useful for borders but you can also work the stitch inside shapes to create motifs like leaves etc. You have one side textured and the other less so as if light was falling on it. I admit to this variety being a bit tricky but once you get into the rhythm of the stitch it is not difficult for an intermediate stitcher to work.

How to work Bullion Vandyke Stitch

Work this stitch from top to bottom between two invisible lines. If needed you mark the outline with a quilters pen that either disappears or will disappear with steam or water. For the demonstration I have used cotton perle #5.

Bring the thread through from the back of the fabric on the left hand side of the line.
As you would with regular Vandyke stitch make a small horizontal stitch at the centre point between the two edges of the line.

Take your needle through the fabric and insert the needle on the right hand side of the line and have the needle point emerge where the thread comes out of the fabric as illustrated.

Wrap your needle 6-8 times and then pull the needle carefully through the coil. While performing this action hold the coil down on the fabric with the left thumb. Pull the working thread through the coil until it tightens and take the needle through the fabric at the point where it first appeared. The coil of thread should now lie on the surface

Bring your needle out on the left hand side or the line a little below the first stitch and repeat and continue working down the line

It sounds difficult but is one of those stitches that once you get the hand of it feels not so hard.

I hope you enjoy this stitch!