How to hand embroider Portuguese Border Stitch

How to hand embroider Portuguese Border Stitch

Hand embroidery stitches

Portuguese Border Stitch forms a highly textured braid like stitch, which is a heap of fun to work. With this stitch you can also change threads when you work the top layer.

The stitch forms good ridge and is ideal to use for strong lines or stacked side by side to produce a textured area.You can work Portuguese Border Stitch on the curve by changing the angle of the foundation stitches and I like the spacing created up the centre of the stitch as it is easy to place a bead in the middle to add a little extra zest.

how to work Portuguese border stitch step 1
My sample was worked in perle 5 for the foundation stitches and perle 3 for the whipping stitches.
The stitch is worked from bottom to top. Note the needle does not pierce the fabric you are whipping the foundation stitches. Use a tapestry need for the second part of the stitch. This way you will avoid accidentally splitting the foundation threads.

Work a foundation of a row of straight stitches. Don’t work them too tight as these stitches will be laced with a second thread.

how to work Portuguese border stitch step 2 Bring the thread out at the bottom left of the first rung.
Take the needle over the second rung and pointing the needle to the left take it under that rung.
Pull the needle through so that the thread will loop around and under the first and second rung.

how to work Portuguese border stitch step 3On the second stitch take the needle over the second rung and pointing the needle to the left take it under that rung. You now have two stitches laced over the first and second rung.

Take the needle over and thread it under the third rung keeping the needle pointing to the left.

how to work Portuguese border stitch stepPull the needle through and a thread will loop over the second and third rung
Take the needle over the third rung and pointing the needle to the left take it under that rung.
Take the needle over and thread it under the fourth rung keeping the needle pointing to the left.
Pull the needle through and a thread will loop over the third and fourth rung.
Repeat up the ladder of foundation stitches.
how to work Portuguese border stitch step 5Continue to the top.
The pattern is over two rungs, over one rung, and move up the ladder. Or think of it as whip two (to start), whip one and up one.
how to work Portuguese border stitch step 6
With Portuguese Border Stitch tension is important. Keep the whipping loose enough that the foundation stitches do not distort.
Bring the needle out at the bottom again to commence the right side of the band.
Work a second row of whipping, by repeating the process only angle your needle to the right as you work.

I hope you enjoy Portuguese Border Stitch!

Follow Pintangle and have it delivered to your inbox
You can have Pintangle delivered to your inbox by using the follow feature in the sidebar. Just enter your email address, and when you get the confirmation email make sure you say yes and you are all set!
If you are on a mobile or tablet you will need to scroll to the bottom to find the follow feature.




26 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *