Pekinese stitch is also known as Chinese stitch since it is found on Chinese embroideries worked in silk, row-upon-row —sometimes 30-40 stitches to the inch.
The stitch creates a heavy line that can follow a curve well, making it ideal to use as a linear stitch. This stitch is also great to use as a finishing line around the edge of items like fabric postcards, ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) bags, purses, needle books, or pin cushions. It works well for anything small that requires a tidy edge.
Pekinese stitch can create a fine line if you use a fine thread. In the sample to the left, I hand embroidered a fine line of Pekinese stitch down the middle of rick rack braid using cotton perle #12 threads. The beads are seed beads so it gives you a sense of scale.
How to work Pekinese Stitch.
Start by working a foundation line of back stitch in a loose manner, because the threading will tighten the stitches. If you need a refresher on how to work backstitch, check out my tutorial on back stitch here.
A second decorative thread is then laced through the line of back stitches. Use a blunt-ended tapestry needle to avoid splitting the foundation stitches. As you thread, do not pass the needle through the fabric.
Work from left to right. Bring your needle out on the bottom left on the line of back stitches. Move along two stitches to slide the needle under the foundation backstitch. With the needle tip pointed towards the top pull your thread through.
Move back one foundation stitch and slide your needle downwards under the stitch. With the needle tip pointed towards the bottom pull your thread through.
Repeat this lacing process along the line. To create a neat textured line, tighten slightly after each threaded loop is created.
Adding interest
For extra interest use your imagination with thread choice. Experiment with contrasts of texture and weight. You can lace with fine cord, chainette, rayon ribbon floss, a yarn, or a fine ribbon. In the sample above I have laced using a fine metallic braid.
You can also work lines back to back to create an interesting thicker line. In the sample above I worked a foundation row of back stitches in green cotton perle #5 thread then I laced them with a hand-dyed cotton perle #5. I added a third line of backstitch down the middle.
I hope you enjoy this stitch!
My book for creative stitchers
If you enjoy my site you will gain real value from my book: Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery: Visual Guide to 120 Essential Stitches for Stunning Designs
Feeling stale? Wondering how to add sparkle to your embroidery? I have aimed Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery to be suitable for both beginners and seasoned embroiderers. It introduces techniques to encourage your creative interpretations of stitches. I guide you towards discovering play-points in your embroidery by varying the height and width; by stacking stitches; or by filling multiple rows with the same stitch. With creative variations and demonstrations of tiny tweaks, You will be ready to head off down your own creative path and, of course, illustrated with plenty of eye candy!
Me encantan tus trabajos tan laboriosos pero no leo porque hablo español, que bueno que los publiques en español. Saludos desde Venezuela
Her photos don’t need a lot of translations. I hope you join in.
Thanks for reminding me about Pekinese Stitch in this TAST Challenge. My trials are here.
http://hobbysewing.blogspot.com/2020/09/tast-29-beyond-tast-29.html
Hi Sharon,
I have been on stitchfree vacation for the the past six weeks. restarting my weekly sampler with pekinese stitch, the details are here-
http://jizee6687.wordpress.com/category/tast-2012/33-pekinese-stitch/
Thank you,
Chitra
my Pekinese Stitch:
http://flowerkaleidoscope.blogspot.com/2012/08/tast-2012week-33.html
hi sharon
i was too late this time..but i tried to catch up..here is my sampler for pekinese stitch..
http://leelashobbies.blogspot.in/2012/08/tast-2012-week-33-pekinese-stitch.html
I am back!!! I hope to stay! It has been a rough past 4 months, with losing both my Mom and my Mother in Law! Things are calming down a bit, so I sat down last night and did my Pekinese Stitch! I love it soooo much! How fun!!!
Here is the link to my attempt: http://asucculentlife.blogspot.com/2012/08/tast-pekinese-stitch.html
Thanks, Sharon!!!!!
My sample is here:
http://karrinscrazyworld.blogspot.com/2012/08/tast-week-33-pekinese-stitch.html
Pekinese and Eyelet stitching:
http://textileexplorations.blogspot.de/2012/08/tast-2012-pekinese-and-eyelet-stitch.html
Hi, All,
Nursing my husband who has a bad back, so very late adding my sample!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36140279@N03/
Still need to add a couple more details
Barbara
This was a fun stitch to learn and I know I’ll use it again in the future:
http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2012/08/take-stitch-tuesday-pekinese-stitch.html
I enjoyed learning the Pekinese stitch. http://timeusebybernice.wordpress.com/
Trying to get going again. Here is my post about a Pekinese experience I have had.
http://theshopsampler.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/return-to-tast-2012/
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/profile/JeanneMarieMellor
As usual, I Loved this stitch too! Really fun!
Haven’t gotten around to stitching yet but I did do this stitch once before a long long time ago, on a pillow of my own design: http://thatyankstitches.multiply.com/photos/album/2/My-Pre-2001-Stitchery#photo=19 There are three “swirls” and one circle outline in this stitch but until this week, I didn’t know what it was called!
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/liztangle-pekinese-stitich-detail?context=latest
dear sharon,
i rather fancied experimenting with texture here. and incorporated a couple of souvenirs, using fine ribbon from my sister, ribbon from a present, and a piece of wire that i rather fancied when my daughter took her old computer to pieces !
love from liz xx
I enjoyed experimenting with Pekinese stitches again, I wrote about it on my blog:
http://fat-quarter.blogspot.nl/2012/08/pekinese-stitch.html
Hi,Sharon
Here´s my weekly work.I enjoyed a lot to do this stitch.
Thank you
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/abstract-12?context=latest
Hi Sharon,
Lots of false starts with this stitch but in the end I found a way to use it.
I wrote about the process on my blog,
http://carorose.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/08/tast-2012-august-14th.html
And posted an image in the Flickr group
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carorose/7813340722/in/pool-56846286@N00/
Have a nice week.
Carolyn
Hi Sharon,
Here’s a Pekinese stitched sunrise that was fun to do:
http://jennypennypoppy.blogspot.ca/2012/08/pekinese-stitched-sun-rise.html
hello,
here is my work
http://pierrespapiersciseaux.blogspot.fr/2012/08/tast-33-le-point-de-pekin.html
My weekly sample:
http://playfulstitching.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/pekinese-stitch/
Sharon, I’ve been enjoying this weekly immersion into stitching tremendously. Thanks so much for sponsoring TAST.
Hi Sharon,
I am on a visit to India. missed last week’s stitch and started late on this week’s stitch. my trials are on my blog-
http://jizee6687.wordpress.com/category/tast-2012/33-pekinese-stitch/
Thank you,
Chitra
Here is my sampler page and a small sample from a few years ago.
http://eclecticlamb.com/2012/08/18/week-33-pekinese-stitch/
This was a new stitch for me, but was great fun to work on. I guess this is where I became a TAST drop out the first 2 times. I WILL make it to the end this time!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stitchintime
This is a great stitch. I have better photos of my Tast 1 effort as well as 2 new samples at
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
Sharon thank you for the Highlight last week, I just found it today.
Hi Sharon & Friends!
My post for the week. Thank you all.
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/paisley-s-passion?context=latest
or
http://embroiderland.blogspot.com.br/
Hi Sharon and all, the stitch was new for me, I enjoyed trying this stitch. Here is my exercise: http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/tast33-pekinese-stitch?context=latest
Here’s mine for this week … so far. I’ll try to read some others later today.
http://airynothing.net/Blogs/anblog/2012/08/17/tast-week-33-pekinese-stitch
Hi Sharon, lovin this one……had a ball with it !
You can see my sample here…………………..
http://ellascraftcreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/tast-2012-week-33-pekinese-stitch.html
hugs
Chris richards
xxxxx
Nice stitch this week! You can see it here: http://6stem5.canalblog.com
My sampler for “Pekinese stitch “.
http://latha-mycreations.blogspot.com/2012/08/tast-2012-week-33-pekinese-stitch.html
This was the perfect stitch to create a keepsake for some friends who just got married. Thanks, Sharon.
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/pekinese-stitch-tast?context=user
This was an enjoyable stitch:
http://queeniepatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/tast2012-week-33.html
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/tast2012-week-33?context=user
Not much time this week — photo is a bit blurry too:
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/pekinese?context=album&albumId=2105845%3AAlbum%3A358782
My sample can be found here
http://linsartyblobs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/tast-33.html
Mon point de la semaine; Pekinese stitch.
http://carrementcrazy2.canalblog.com/archives/2012/08/15/24900857.html
Stitching even while on holiday in the UK. Twice the fun.
http://yarngoddess.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/pekinese-and-hedgehog/
I find this stitch easy and interesting.
Can be view at
http://viji-crafts.blogspot.in/2012/08/tast-2012-week33.html
viji
I’m so tired of editing, writing and publishing my posts but now I’m only two, TWO stitches behind. Who knew that hard work pays off?
Here are my samplers:
Algerian Eye
http://thriftyfinn.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/tast-31-algerian-eye-stars/
Oyster Stitch
http://thriftyfinn.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/tast-30-oyster-stitch-raindrops/
Basque Stitch
http://thriftyfinn.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/tast-29-blossoming-basque/
Up And Down Buttonhole
http://thriftyfinn.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/tast-28-up-and-down-buttonhole-grass/
Bonnet Stitch
http://thriftyfinn.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/tast-27-bonnet-spores/
Here’s my weekly post with old Pekinese stitches:
http://fat-quarter.blogspot.nl/2012/08/old-pekinese-stitches.html