Basque stitch

As the name suggests, Basque stitch is found on old embroideries from the Basque region across the boundary between northern Spain and southwestern France. You can also find it in embroidery from Portugal. Basque stitch is also known as twisted daisy border stitch. It is a variety of twisted chain …

Bonnet stitch

The Bonnet stitch is a variation of buttonhole that forms a line of stitches with upright twisted, looped prongs. When you first look at the directions, some stitches look distinctly uninspiring. Bonnet stitch is such a case. It looks like a double buttonhole (I call it a herringbone with its …

Buttonhole Wheel stitch

Buttonhole Wheel Buttonhole Wheel is simply a buttonhole stitch worked in a circle. So, obviously, it is part of the buttonhole family of stitches. These are also known as wheel stitch, buttonhole rings, buttonhole flowers, buttonhole disks, and disk stitch. Buttonhole wheels are a fun, if undervalued, little stitch. You …

Bullion Knot Stitch

People either love or hate bullion knots, but I am in the love-them camp! They are one of those hand-embroidery stitches that can be tricky to work, so if you have trouble with them, do take time to read my tips. Tips before you start Bullion Knot stitch  The main …

How to work Wheatear stitch

Wheatear stitch is an easy yet versatile 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 …

French knot

French Knot Tips and Tricks A french knot is a difficult stitch for some people, but I have a tip or two in this tutorial. I am putting them upfront so you notice them before you embark upon learning the stitch. Stitcher’s problem #1: Your knot pops through the fabric …

Couching Stitch

Couching is a wonderful technique that many embroiderers overlook. But it is easy to do, and it’s a fun 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 …