Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole Stitch

Let’s make twiggy bits! Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole stitch is ideal to use for thorny stems in floral sprays. This is a stitch I often use and I think most embroiderers and crazy quilters will particularly enjoy, as it makes marvellous twiggy bits — particularly if you treat them …

Diamond Stitch

I discovered Diamond stitch in Marion Nichols’ Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches. Even though Diamond Stitch is normally worked between to parallel rows it can be stacked or worked free form. As a stitch, it is versatile enough to produce some interesting effects, as the pattern it creates as you work …

Breton Stitch

Breton stitch is based on closed herringbone stitch, making it a member of the herringbone family. If you know how to work herringbone you will discover the working rhythm of the stitch much easier to establish. Breton stitch is also known as widow’s stitch. This stitch is easy and quick …

Woven detached chain stitch

As the name indicates, Woven detached chain stitch is just as it sounds – a detached chain stitch that has been woven or laced with thread. The stitch is simple to work. And it also makes delightful little leaf shapes that you can use in floral sprays. It is fun …

Buttonholed Herringbone stitch

Buttonholed Herringbone is a composite stitch that I often get asked about. As the name suggests, it consists of a foundation of herringbone stitch which is then buttonholed. First, work a line of herringbone in a fairly solid thread such as perle 5. If you need a refresher on how …

Raised Herringbone Band

The Raised Herringbone Band is one of those stitches you look at in a stitch dictionary but don’t get around to trying. And then when you do, you wonder why it took so long to explore! Raised Herringbone Band is built up in layers. It looks complex but in fact, …

Inverted Feather Stitch

This stitch is called Inverted feather stitch but it is very unlike a feather stitch. I found this stitch in an old-fashioned stitch book by Anne Butler called Embroidery Stitches. You can build up this stitch, line upon line to create pattern fills. It is also good to couch down …