The Hand Embroidery Dictionary/ Cross and Herringbone Stitches

Everything embroidery bundled into one helpful how-to guide! The book breaks down 500+ stitches from the basics for beginners to more complex designs for advanced stitchers.

• Learn how to choose tools, threads, and embellishments
• Basic stitch guides explain accurate placement to help you achieve the perfect stitch
• Each stitch includes a stitched sample, instructions and in most cases illustrations
• Learn how to change the position of the stitch and use the distance between points to change the look of the stitch
• Tips and instructions for left-handed embroiderers

There are 16 groups of stitches which include straight, outline, knotted, woven, and whipped, lazy daisy, chain, barb, blanket and buttonhole, fly, feather, fleet, cretan, cross, herringbone, capped, chevron, and embellishment stitches.

Today we are going to cover cross and herringbone stitches.

Cross Stitches

These individual stitches can be used as a single stitch, combined to create a border row, or added to another stitch to create a larger component.

The basic stitch is formed by coming up at point A and going down at point B to create a straight line. The stitch is completed by coming up at point C and going down at point D, crossing over the previous stitch.

Herringbone Stitches

These continuous stitches can be used for a border row or to create a shape. After the stitch is formed, individual stitches can be added to the tips or around the base to create a larger design.

The basic stitch is formed by coming up at point A and then, in one motion, going down at point B and coming up at point C, forming a straight stitch. The stitch continues with point D, then back to point A. This stitch can also be worked in individual stab motions.

Artists and Samplers

I asked several friends to be involved in the Stitch Along Week posts. I selected 10 stitches and broke them into 5 groups. Each participant chose one group to work with, stitching a sampler or block in any colors or fibers that they wanted to work with.

Allison Aller, Artist, Author, Teacher

Allie Aller has been making quilts in many genres for 50 years, employing her college design education. She has published three books, won many national awards, taught on Craftsy, and appeared on The Quilt Show twice. Visit her blog to see the annual finishes she posts at the end of every calendar year.

You can find Allie here:

Blog: http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allison.aller/. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliealler/

Stitches used in my sampler, left to right

• Cross stitch, pg 122
• Woven Cross Stitch, pg 104
• Herringbone Elongated, (large scale, couched, 2 rows stacked), pg 129
• Cross stitch, vertical inside the herringbone triangles, pg 123
• Crossed star stitch, pg 125 alternated with Cross stitch short cross with arrow tip detail, pg 123
• Magic Cross stitch, pg 124
• Embroidered floral trim on netting
• Herringbone Stitch, Netted, pg. 130, capped with a fly stitch
• Individual cross stitch used to couch down metallic ribbon
• Cross stitch Short Cross, pg 123
• Woven trim
• Cross Stitch Short Cross, pg 123
• Cross Stitch and French Knots, pg. 123
• Herringbone stitch, pg 128
• Floral Tambour stitched trim
• Herringbone Stitch Laced, pg 132
• Herringbone stitch, pg 128
• Herringbone Elongated, pg. 129
• Woven geometric trim
• Herringbone Elongated, pg. 129
• Individual cross stitch used to couch down metallic ribbon
• Cross stitch, pg 122
• Herringbone Stitch Boxed, pg 129
• Embroidered floral trim on netting
• Herringbone stitch, pg 128 capped with Colonial Knots
• Cross Stitch Long Arm, pg 123
• Thorn Stitch, pg 127 one side capped with Colonial Knots
• Herringbone Elongated, pg 129 (large scale, couched)
• Individual Cross Stitches in triangular space, pg 122
• 24 Cross and Fly Stitch Stars, pg 126 with extra cross stitch within each fly stitch

Allie’s Books, from C & T Publishing:

• Allie Aller’s Crazy Quilting  https://www.ctpub.com/allie-allers-crazy-quilting/
• Quilting…Just A Little Bit Crazy co-authored by Valerie Bothell  https://www.ctpub.com/quilting-just-a-little-bit-crazy/
• Allie Aller’s Stained Glass Quilts Reimagined  https://www.ctpub.com/allie-allers-stained-glass-quilts-reimagined/

Christine Vinh, Artist, StitchesNQuilts

My journey with fiber has led me to explore new mediums, learn new techniques, and meet many kindred spirits. My goal is to share my love of color, texture and fiber with others, whether through selling my work or sharing stories.

As part of this project, not only did I explore the two possibilities of two stitches but I chose to  try different threads. The cross stitch sampler uses a variety of threads & color ways in the Painter’s Thread collection. And the herringbone sampler was done using an 8 wt Eleganza Thread Pack by WonderFil using a sample of variegated threads.

You can find Chris here:

https://stitchesnquilts.com. https://www.facebook.com/StitchesnQuilts

• 

Stitches used: cross stitch netted, cross stitch row overlaid, cross stitch row netted, thorn stitch, crosshatch, cross stitch doubled 

Painter’s Threads used: Ribbon Floss, Gimpe, Perle Cotton # 5, 8 & 12, Braided metallic, Eye lash silk

Stitches used: herringbone stitch twisted / repeat, herringbone stitch w/ French knot, herringbone with cross stitch, herringbone double stitch, herringbone with straight stitch details, random filling with overlapping threads

Threads: 8 wt Eleganza Perle cotton from WonderFil

Christen Brown, Artist, Author, Teacher

This small strip-pieced sample can be found in the book. The embroidery stitches were worked in a variety of herringbone and cross stitches, with French knot and straight stitch details. I used perle cotton #8 for all of the embroidery and to stitch the novelty buttons in place.

Thank you to each of the participants of the Stitch Along Week! Everyone created a unique piece, that reflects their own style. I am so grateful to each and every one of these artists!

Happy Stitching to you all! ~Christen