How to Hand Embroider Buttonholed Double Chain

Buttonholed Double Chain  is an unusual variety that I found this variation of double chain in The Constance Howard Book of Stitches (p 106). This version of double chain is buttonholed and can feel messy and can feel a little awkward.  Once past the first few stitches it takes on a form, …

Tulip Stitch or Slipped Detached Chain Stitch

Slipped Detached chain stitch sounds a mouthful but it is a simple and versatile stitch. Often called tulip stitch because that is what it can look like, it is one of those easy quick stitches that lends itself to variation. It is so simple people overlook slipped detached chain as a stitch to experiment with. …

Buttonhole Wheel Cup

I discovered the Buttonhole Wheel Cup while experimenting with buttonhole wheels. I am sure I just re-invented the stitch and somewhere another person has had the same thoughts. They make great middles to flowers like daffodils and I use them all over the place in my textured embroidery, as I …

Pistil Stitch

Pistil Stitch Pistil stitch is really a French Knot with a tail. It is ideal to use for the centre of flowers or arranged in a circle as a flower motif. The weight of the thread will determine the size of the finished stitch. You can also work this stitch …

How to work Wheatear stitch

Wheatear stitch is a versatile easy stitch that is often used to depict wild grasses and wheat as in the sample above. This sample uses various forms of wheatear. Wheatear consists of two straight stitches worked diagonally in a V-like shape before a chain stitch laces together the stitches at the base. …

Couching Stitch

Couching is a wonderful technique that many embroiderers forget about, but it is easy to do and a wonderful way to use interesting textured novelty threads in your embroidery. You can create wonderful surfaces by couching down threads and then embroidering over the top of them. Combined with beads and …

Chevron Stitch

Chevron 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 …