About RSN Stitch Bank
Breton stitch
This surface stitch is formed by an oblong cross stitch where the second leg of the cross is wrapped once around the first to form a central twist. Structurally it has similarities to herringbone stitch: on the reverse the horizontal stitches are worked against the direction of travel.
The stitch features on traditional garments from Brittany, northern France where multiple stitches are worked with overlapping legs to form a wide border.
This stitch is generously sponsored by Merrilyn Heazlewood and dedicated to her mother Beverely, Grandmother Myrtle and all her Australian supporters and followers.
Method
Make a tall slim diagonal stitch from bottom left to top right.
Bring the needle up a little to the left
Take the needle under the first stitch from right to left to wrap the diagonal stitch. You may find it easier to lead with the eye of your needle.
Take the needle down at the base of the stitch a little to the right.
Start the next parallel stitch, by bringing the needle back up at the base in between the first two stitches and take it down at the top, a little to the right.
Bring the needle back up a little to the left sharing a hole with the previous Breton stitch.
Again wrap this diagonal stitch by taking the needle under from right to left.
Pull through and take the needle down at the base to complete the second stitch.
Continue working parallel stitches to produce a band.
Photograph of the reverse.
Breton stitch
Structure of stitch
Worked in the same manor as a herringbone stitch but with the addition of whipping the previous stitch rather than just crossing it.
Common uses
Embroidery Techniques
Variant Stitches
Identifying Breton stitch
The stitch is formed by an elongated cross stitch where the second part of the cross is wrapped once around the first part to form a twist. On the reverse the stitch shows horizontal stitches at the top and bottom of the crossed stitch. Parallel vertical stitches are often used to form a border; the legs sometimes overlap.