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Chessboard filling stitch icon
Chessboard filling stitch

Chessboard filling stitch main image

This stitch consists of blocks of four parallel satin stitches, overlaid with a large cross which is couched in the centre.

N.B. for the pulled thread stitch with the same name, see the entry for Chessboard filling (pulled thread).

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Crossed Tied Composite Filling Open Filling Counted Thread Crewelwork Surface

Chessboard filling stitch is generously sponsored by Karen Wilson

Method

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1
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 1 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Make four straight vertical stitches next to each other. Ideally the length of the stitch will be equal to the width of four threads to create a square satin stitch.

2
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 2 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Space the squares like a chessboard pattern to fill the area.

3
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 3 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Stitch over the square satin with a diagonal stitch top left to bottom right.

4
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 4 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

And another diagonal stitch from bottom left to top right to complete a cross.

5
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 5 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Tie these stitches with a small vertical stitch over the centre of the cross.

6
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 6 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Work in horizontal rows to complete a tied cross on each satin stitch square.

7
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 7 illustration
Chessboard filling stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Continue to cover all the squares with a tied cross.

Chessboard filling stitch

Structure of stitch

Crossed Tied Composite

Common uses

Filling Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Counted Thread Crewelwork Surface

References

  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.45
  • Kate Haxell, The Stitch Bible (2012) , p.91

Examples of Chessboard filling stitch

Penelope’s Jacobean crewel work and traditional designs

See the diagram on the left for chessboard filling stitch.