Closed herringbone stitch

This stitch is a version of herringbone stitch where the stitches are worked closely together to form a solid line. This reversible nature of this stitch means it is often used closed herringbone stitch straight or curved borders. Contemporary embroiderers in the Hazarajat region of Afghanistan use closed herringbone stitch for bands and borders to embellish garments.

Closed herringbone is a variety of herringbone where the stitch is worked so closely together that it forms a line of crossed stitches. On the back of the fabric it will show a two lines of back stitches so it is also known as Double Backstitch. Another use for this stitch is to work it on sheer or semi sheer fabric to create a style of very subtle and interesting type of embroidery called shadow work. Normally with forms of herringbone stitch you would work the crosses on the front of the embroidery as a surface stitch but in shadow work you work the stitch on the back and it shows through the fabric. This means the shadow of the work is seen hence the name.

Closed herringbone stitch

This pretty and simple leaf is inspired by the leaves of the Bottle Brush Tree. The Closed Herringbone Stitch provides a quick and hassle-free filling for any kind of leaves. It takes on curves easily and creates a great texture. This pattern is great to be done as a single leaf or scatter around a larger area of fabric. Very efficiently done but a not so easy stitch. Very effective piece of herringbone work. Love it. I like it. Amazing work. Thank you.

As someone who loves crazy quilting and embroidery, I designed these templates with other stitchers in mind. Sarah has authored 7 hand embroidery eBooks for learners of various levels.

You can use the herringbone stitch to form a pretty border, to hold up a hem on a garment, to embellish the seams on a crazy quilt block, or on the reverse of a fine fabric so that the delicate, coloured stitching shows through. Let's start with learning how you can create the basic straight row, then we'll look at all its different variations later on. But first, why is it called herringbone stitch? It got this name from its resemblance to the bones of the herring fish, apparently. I guess whoever first called it that was not that hot on fish anatomy!

The Closed Herringbone Stitch is excellent for making quick fillings on leaf-shaped patterns. When we think of sunflowers, a big and a smiling happy flower comes to our minds. This pattern is inspired by a smaller variety, drawn out of nostalgic memory. Being a person who loves to garden, I went and sowed them at a small patch of land we had in our rented apartment on the ground floor. They all started sprouting and growing fast.

Closed herringbone stitch

The reverse of the stitch produces two parallel rows of what looks like running stitch. Also see the entry for closed herringbone stitch which produces two parallel rows of backstitch on the reverse. These reversible traits mean these stitches lend themselves well to shadow work. Herringbone is much in evidence from the Elizabethan era through to the Jacobean where it was frequently used in curling foliage stems. Across the world, it is used in Assisi embroidery, a counted thread technique from Italy; in Chefchaouen embroidery from Morocco; in Telli a metal thread embroidery from Egypt, Lebanon and Syria; by the Bedouin of Jordan, Syria, Palestine Israel, and women in the oases of western Egypt; in Rabari embroidery from northwest India and in Kashmir embroidery from Pakistan. Bring the needle up at the left edge of the bottom design line, and take it down on the opposite line to create a diagonal stitch.

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I guess whoever first called it that was not that hot on fish anatomy! Repeat the first step by taking your little bite of fabric on the needle along the top edge of your row. Sarah says:. You can include embroidery images in your comment by selecting them below. Embroider whatever you like, use the colors that make you happy. Gut Raincoat Stitch. The lines will resemble backstitch, more than running stitch. Perfect just what I was looking for! Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe. The photo shows an upright cross worked where the first three stitches intersect.

Closed Herringbone Stitch is also known as. The Closed Herringbone Stitch is a fantastic stitch to create texture and filling.

Thank you, Toni! When I'm not plunging into the past, tweaking, or embroidering, I'm reading books about history, computers, or embroidery. I understand that you will use my information to send me the Stitchin' Time newsletter occasionally. We recommend buying books directly from our embroidery book store. Recent Articles Clown Collar Stitch. Closed herringbone stitch is generously sponsored by Mrs Audrey Oliver. Insert the needle on the lower line but have the needle tip emerge in line with the edge of the edge of the upper stitch as illustrated and make a small stitch which points to the left. The next photo shows a crazy quilt block where I worked a second row of herringbone between the first row, using a different coloured thread. Here I used three different threads to work rows of herringbone stitch along a crazy quilt seam. Related Stitches Herringbone stitch Back stitch Double back stitch. I decided to sculpt camels in a needle. Photo Illustration.