Berwick stitch is also known as Looped Edge stitch and forms a line of upright stitches each with a knotted base. This is a quick and easy variety of buttonhole. You can work it along the edge of an item and it will follow curves easily. Berwick stitch is equally effective with the knotted edge on the inside or outside of the curve. To add visual interest to your work you can use it to replace buttonhole stitch.
In the photograph above Berwick stitch is worked in a freeform manner and combined with French knots.
How to work Berwick stitch
Work Berwick stitch from left to right along two imaginary parallel lines.If you need to mark the line with a dissolvable or air erasable pen.
Bring the thread out on the lower line, insert the needle in position in the upper line making a straight downward motion and then wrap a loop of thread around the needle point. Pull the needle through the fabric to form a loop.
Tighten the knot slightly before moving to the next stitch.
In the case of using Berwick stitch as and decorative embellishment on crazy quilting. A decorative line can be created by adding a Detached Chain stitch, or French knots at the top of each spine. You can also decorate this stitch with beads.
By changing the length and spacing of the spines you can create patterns for borders or to embellish crazy quilt seams. Berwick stitch is also used in forms of counted thread and drawn needlework. The texture of the ridge at the base of the spine can be very effective.
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Thread Twisties!
Experimenting with different threads can be expensive. You would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. So I have made up my thread twisties which are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.
These are creative embroiders threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon, and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape so twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle. Many are hand-dyed by me. And they are all threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist but no two are identical.
You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.
Have Pintangle delivered to your inbox
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This has got to be the most enjoyable site I visit on the internet. I have done hand embroidery since small child, but these stitches are beyond beautiful. I will use them in various projects, thank you for hosting this site and helping all artists share their beautiful stutching
Thanks Judith I am so pleased you enjoy Pintangle