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Chottie’s Plaid icon
Chottie’s Plaid

Chottie’s Plaid main image

This ingenious canvaswork stitch is fully reversible, with a checked pattern replicated identically on both sides.  It is worked by stitching a pattern of spaced diagonal stitches to form horizontal stripes; the pattern is completed by working vertical stripes of diagonal stitches to fill in the gaps.  The overall effect provides a double-sided tartan, or plaid.

The reversible nature of the stitch means that it particularly lends itself to items such as coasters or bookmarks.

The stitch was designed by Charlotte “Chottie“ Alderson, an eminent canvaswork teacher from the United States, hence the name (note it is pronounced with an initial ‘sh’ sound).  Chottie was instrumental in the early days of EGA (Embroiderers’ Guild of America) and her adult life was dedicated to ensuring the preservation of the needle arts through her designing, teaching, and historical research on the international level. For more stitches created by Chottie, please see Alisha lace stitch and Nobuko stitch.

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Reversible Pattern Filling Canvaswork

Chottie’s Plaid is generously sponsored by San Bernardino Chapter ANG and Inland Empire Chapter EGA in southern California

Method

The method of working the stitch has similarities with half-cross tent stitch: alternate lines are either worked towards the previous line of stitching (going down in a shared hole) or away from the previous line (coming up in a shared hole). 
Start and finish your threads at the ends of rows by using a waste knot away from your stitch area.  When you have finished stitching weave the ends along the edge of your piece.  N.B. if you are working an even number of lines in each colour you can trail the threads along the edge.  If you are making an item where both sides will be visible and intending to bind the edges of the canvas, the binding stitch can be used to conceal the thread ends/trailed threads.  Note that where you start a new colour at the end of a row, your stitching may show a skipped stitch on the reverse (this can be seen on the photo for step 11).
Chottie’s plaid can be used to create:
* plaids (otherwise known as tartans)
* regular checks such as gingham (3 rows of alternate colours - this is shown in the step-by-step method) and houndstooth (2 rows of alternate colours - this is shown in the video)
* tweed (single rows of several colours).

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1
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 1 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 1 photograph
1

Starting towards the top right of your design area, make a small diagonal stitch angled from bottom right to top left.

2
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 2 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 2 photograph
2

Bring your thread back up one thread left and one thread below and repeat the diagonal stitch to the left (this leaves a gap equivalent to a single stitch).
Continue in this way along the horizontal row.  If you check the reverse of the your stitching it should look the same as the front.

3
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 3 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 3 photograph
3

The next horizontal row of stitches are worked from top left to bottom right, i.e. they start in a shared hole and end in an empty one. 
Continue in this way.

4
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 4 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 4 photograph
4

Work the next row of stitches by taking your needle down into a hole shared with the previous row.
Continue in this way to complete the row.

5
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 5 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 5 photograph
5

Continue working horizontal rows in your desired colours to fill the area.

6
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 6 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 6 photograph
6

To work the vertical rows, bring your needle up immediately below the top right stitch, and make a small diagonal stitch from top left to bottom right.  This will fill in the gap left from the horizontal stitching.

7
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 7 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 7 photograph
7

Continue in this way: your stitches should align vertically and fill in the gaps between the horizontal rows.

8
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 8 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 8 photograph
8

Work the next line of stitches angled from bottom right to top left.
Continue in this way to complete the line.

9
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 9 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 9 photograph
9

Continue in this way working vertically to fill in the gaps between the horizontal rows. Remember that lines are worked alternately towards and away from the previous stitching.

10
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 10 illustration
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 10 photograph
10

A completed area of Chottie’s plaid.

11
Chottie’s Plaid method stage 11 photograph
11

The reverse of Chottie’s plaid showing the ends of threads before they are woven along the edges.

Chottie’s Plaid

Structure of stitch

Reversible Pattern

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Tent stitch

Identifying Chottie’s Plaid

This stitch can be identified by a checked pattern which is the same on both sides.  It is worked in small diagonal stitches which slant from bottom right to top left.  The check can be any pattern.

References

  • Jo Ippolito Christensen, The Needlepoint Book (1999) , p.185
  • Chottie Alderson, Stitchin’ with Chottie, book 1 (1975) , p.1-6