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Chequer stitch icon
Chequer stitch

Alternating blocks of contrasting stitch texture to achieve a chequerboard effect.  The blocks are alternately made up of tent stitch or longer diagonal stitches.

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Pattern Parallel Filling Canvaswork

Chequer stitch is generously sponsored by Sheila Shipstone

Method

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Chequer stitch method stage 1 illustration
Chequer stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Begin with a tent stitch in the top left hand corner.

Chequer stitch method stage 2 illustration
Chequer stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Then make a stitch across two canvas intersections.

Chequer stitch method stage 3 illustration
Chequer stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Then across three, then four.

Chequer stitch method stage 4 illustration
Chequer stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Then three, then two and finally another tent stitch.

Chequer stitch method stage 5 illustration
Chequer stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Directly next to this make a square of sixteen tent stitches (i.e. four by four).

Chequer stitch method stage 6 illustration
Chequer stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Continue with these two blocks across a horizontal row. On the row below, place the tent stitch block under the cushion block and the cushion block under the tent block. Make sure all the stitches angle from the bottom left to the top right.

Chequer stitch

Structure of stitch

Pattern Parallel

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Tent stitch Cushion stitch

Identifying Chequer stitch

This chequerboard stitch is made up of two alternating stitch blocks of tent and cushion stitch. The cushion stitch is made of seven diagonal stitches, covering a square of four by four canvas threads.​

References

  • Mrs Archibald Christie, Samplers and Stitches (1921) , p.92
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.45
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004)
  • Sarah Whittle, The Needlecraft Stitch Directory (2012)