Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole Stitch

Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole stitch is an ideal stitch to use for thorny stem in floral spray. 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 in an improvisational manner. A feathery line of twin stitches is created and at first glance it looks like knotted feather stitch but it is not, as the knot is flat to the fabric and quite neat. To understand the workings of Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole you need to know Up and Down buttonhole and feather stitch as this a combination of the two stitches. Each stitch of the pair is separate step. The bar at the base of each pair of stitches adds extra texture to the line but is flat to the fabric. It looks complex but is an amazingly versatile stitch. Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole sample Since it is a variation of buttonhole stitch easily worked on many types of fabrics and is just as effective when worked along a straight line or following a curve.

How to work Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole Stitch

Before working this stitch be familiar with feather stitch, and up and down buttonhole stitch. (Follow the links for a tutorial if you need a refresher) When working this stitch it is useful to imagine 3 parallel lines. Work from top to bottom UP and Down feather stitch directions Bring the needle out at the top of the line to be worked. Insert the needle to the right, and have it emerge from the fabric in the middle and below these two points, so that when the thread is wrapped under the needle it makes a V shape. Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole directions With the thread under the needle and take the needle through the fabric. This first V shape creates the first part of the tied pairs of stitches. For the second stitch of the pair, take the needle through the fabric, point the needle in an outward direction. See the illustration and note where the needle point is. In other words point the needle outwards and upwards. Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole directions Wrap the working thread under the needle at the top. Pull the needle through the fabric. As you do this hold down the loop that forms with the left thumb to prevent it slipping. This loop forms the bar at the base of both stitches. This forms the first pair of tied stitches. Up and Down Feathered Buttonhole directions Insert the needle a little to the right and almost on the same level as the knot. Make a small stitch in a downward motion that is angled so that the needle point appears on the centre line. Keeping the thread under the needle point (as you would with regular feather stitch), pull the thread through the fabric to make a V shape which is the first part of next pair of stitches. Once again turn the needle in the opposite direction and wrap the thread under the needle. Pull the needle through the fabric and hold down the loop that forms with the left thumb to prevent it slipping. Work these movements alternatively down the line. As you can see by the samples I have included there are lots of ways of creating variety with this stitch. Once you have the rhythm of the stitch it is easy and quick to do. I hope you enjoy up and down feathered buttonhole.

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Have you seen my Stitchers templates?

As a stitcher who loves crazy quilting and embroidery I designed these templates with other stitchers in mind. With my Stitchers Templates you can create hundreds of different patterns to embroider on your stitching and crazy quilting projects. They are easy to use, totally clear so you can position them easily and they are compact in your sewing box.

Templates set 1 you will find here
Templates set 2 you will find here