Chevron Stitch

Chevron Stitch

Hand embroidery stitches / Stitch Dictionary

Chevron stitch sample 1Chevron stitch is a decorative stitch used in surface embroidery and smocking. Some people consider it a basic stitch that you can use in numerous ways in hand-embroidered projects. The sample above is on a piece of crazy quilting and consists of a row of Chevron stitch worked either side of a ribbon you can read more about it on Crazy Quilt block 73.

Chevron stitch sample 5

In this sample, I have worked a single row of Chevron in cotton perle # 5 and stitched dome-shaped sequins in between the feet of the stitch.

How to work Chevron stitch

Work from left to right on two imaginary lines.

Chevron stitch step by step 1Bring the thread from the back of the fabric on the left of the top line. On the same line, move right and insert the needle with the tip pointing left to have it emerge in the middle as illustrated. Pull the needle through to make a small stitch.

Chevron stitch step by step 2Take the needle diagonally down to the bottom line and insert it. Point the needle left to take it back along the line as illustrated. Pull your needle through and take your needle to the right.

Chevron stitch step by step 3Keep your needle pointing left to make the foot of the stitch, by inserting your needle as illustrated and having it emerge at the base of the diagonal stitch.

Chevron stitch step by step 4Take your needle to the top line and repeat the process again.

Chevron stitch step by step 5Work this way along the row alternating up and down.

Some ideas on how to use Chevron stitch

With Chevron stitch, you can change the spacing of the feet as well as the height/width of the stitch to create some interesting effects.  Chevron stitch sample 7Chevron stitch becomes very interesting when you add other stitches to the hills and valleys such as this band of hand embroidery where I tucked three detached chain stitches into the peaks of the stitch.

Chevron stitch sample 8Working two rows of Chevron stitch creates a grid-like pattern where you can add all sorts of embroidered and beaded elements. This seam detail is from Block 76 in the I Dropped the Button Box quilt.

Chevron stitch sample 4Two rows give you enough room down the centre line to add quite large items such as novelty beads.

Chevron stitch sample 3You can also build up row upon row of chevron stitch working each row back to back to create an interesting pattern.

hand embroidery band sampler detail 723You can vary the pattern by working rows back-to-back and then tying the foot bars of each row with a single straight stitch. In this sample, I also worked single straight stitches in the space of the chevron pattern which I then tied with a cross stitch

Chevron stitch sample 2Chevron stitch can also be stacked to create an interesting filling too!

Crazy Quilt Block 98 detail 635 Chevron stitch worked in cotton perle #5 thread on Block 98 of the I Dropped the Button Box Quilt

 

Have you seen my book?

holding my book in front of quilt

My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results shares detailed practical methods on how to design and make a crazy quilt. I cover topics such as fabric choice; In addition, I cover tricky challenges like how to balance colour, texture and pattern, and how to create a sense of movement to direct your viewer’s eye around the block. I also explain how to stitch and build decorative seam treatments in interesting and creative ways. My book is profusely illustrated as I aim to be practical and inspiring.

Have you seen my Stitcher’s Templates?using my stitchers Templates set 2

As someone who loves crazy quilting and embroidery, I designed these templates with other stitchers in mind. With my templates, you can create hundreds of different patterns to apply to your stitching and crazy quilting projects. They are easy to use, totally clear so you can position them easily. They are compact in your sewing box. And we laser cut them ourselves in our own studio workshop to ensure the highest quality.

For more information, see what they look like, find out about the free ebook of patterns visit the information pages in the shop where you can also purchase them.

123 Comments

  1. Pingback: Chevronsteek (Chevron Stitch) • Studio Paars • workshops | blog | shop

  4. Pingback: TAST 2012 #6: Chevron Stitch - Studio Paars: embroidery chevron stitch

  5. Pingback: Isolated Stitches in Embroidery - Beyond TAST

  71. For this week's Chevron stitch, I borrowed inspiration from Sharon's seam treatment ideas over on In A Minute Ago, and it came out beautifully! Thank you so much, Sharon, for being so willing to share your knowledge through your classes and websites — it lets a novice crazy quilter like me get results that make my heart sing with joy!

    I blogged week 4's Cretan stitch and this week's Chevron stitch here: http://kidsbyhand.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/tast-week-4-6/

    My 8 yr old daughter wouldn't let me share her work for the past few weeks – she doesn't like how they turned out. (And apparently feather stitch doesn't deserve to be shared because "it doesn't look like feathers AT ALL, Mom!")

    Andi
    Reply

  103. Hi Sharon, My week 5 and 6 are done and posted to my blog. I've gone with a Valentine colour theme of pink, red and white with little heart charm adornments.

    Thank you to those of you who have commented on my blog. My days are very busy and I do manage to take a quick peek at what some of you are doing, but I never seem to have time to see them all, but what I have are really lovely and works of art.

    Thanks so much, Romona http://northbrookstitches.blogspot.com

    Romona
    Reply

Leave a Reply

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

%d bloggers like this: