Feather Stitch
Feather stitch is probably my favourite stitch to do. It is just fun. There are a lot of different variations and ways it can be used in hand embroidery projects.
Feather stitch has a natural, organic feeling to it and can be used for flowing, smooth lines or straight lines with branches.
See it all
Below you will find:
- video
- when to use feather stitch
- tutorial with images
- variations
- using feather stitch in projects
When to use feather stitch
- coral and seaweed
- borders
- added texture to backgrounds
- flowering vines
- fancy stripes
- pathway
- roof tiles or thatch
- feathers? (I can’t totally picture it, but with the name it seems like it should work.)
Tutorial
Bring the needle up to the top of the fabric. In this case, I’m making a line that goes from left to right.
Put the needle in parallel to where it came up, and take a stitch at an angle, catching the thread under the needle. The thread, needle and space between should make a triangle shape.
Pull the needle through. The thread should be in a “v” shape with the new thread at the point at the bottom. Take another stitch in this way.
Now there are two “v’s”. For the next stitch, take a stitch above the thread.
Continuing in this way will give two rows of alternating “v” shapes.
Variations
Single Feather
Single feather is like a tree with branches on only one side.
Double Feather
Double feather gives a zig zag line.
Closed Feather
This stitch is great for borders and can be straight or curved.
Long-armed Feather
Lengthening the arms of the basic feather stitch gives a whole new look.
Cretan Stitch
This version of feather stitch has the arms at ninety degrees.
Closed Cretan Stitch
Cretan stitch without spacing is great for filling in shapes like leaves.
Close Fly
Changing the spacing of fly stitch gives a whole new look.
Feather Stitch in Embroidery Projects
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