Monday 26 September 2011

The Crafter’s Way 197–Feather Stitch

A couple of months ago I wrote a tutorial for doing Buttonhole or Blanket Stitch. Today’s tutorial is another embroidery stitch, Feather Stitch. Feather Stitch, which is also known as Coral stitch, is a variety of buttonhole/blanket stitch.
fs4
Feather Stitch is an useful decorative stitch and can be found in hand smocking and crazy patchwork. The feathery line can be stitched straight, around curves and be embellished with French Knots, Lazy Daisy and Beads. It is also possible to alter the effect completely by altering the spacing of each finished stitch.
fs2
To start:
Secure your thread at the back of fabric.
Bring needle to front of fabric at (a).
Leave a little slack in the thread, hold this with your finger. Reinsert the needle at (b).
Bring needle to front at (c).
Leave a little slack and holding this re-insert the needle at (d).
Bring needle to front at (e).
Leave a little slack and holding this re-insert the needle at (f).
Bring needle to front at (g).
feather stitch
Each subsequent stitch secures the previous one. When you are first learning it is useful to mark four parallel lines with a water dissolvable marker. This will help you stitch even feathers. I’m sure that after a little practice this stitch will become a firm favourite.

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