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Diagonal cross filling icon
Diagonal cross filling

  • Diagonal raised band

Diagonal cross filling is a pulled work stitch which creates a neat pattern with raised diagonal stripes.

N.B. Thérèse de Dillmont calls this ‘Twelfth pattern’ in her Encyclopedia of Needlework.

add_circleMy Stitches
Crossed Pulled Embellishment Open Filling Whitework Pulled Thread

Diagonal cross filling is generously sponsored by Anne James

This stitch has been generously sponsored in memory of Dorothy Elizabeth Irwin, née Graham.

Method

Try stitching diagonal cross filling with a thick lace thread to enhance the stripes, or with a fine thread to keep it flat.

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Diagonal cross filling method stage 1 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up just inside your outline. Make a vertical stitch down over six threads.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 2 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 2 photograph
2

Count left three and up three, bring the needle up and pull. This makes a small diagonal stitch on the back.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 3 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 3 photograph
3

Make a vertical stitch down over six threads. Repeat along the row.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 4 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 4 photograph
4

At the end of the row, count left three and up three from the last hole and bring the needle up. Make a horizontal stitch to the right over six threads to form a cross.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 5 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 5 photograph
5

Count left three and up three, bring the needle up and pull. Repeat to complete the row.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 6 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 6 photograph
6

To start the next row, count up six threads from the first hole of the previous row and bring the needle up. Make a vertical stitch down over six threads into the first hole of the previous row.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 7 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 7 photograph
7

Count left three and up three, bring the needle up and pull. Repeat along the row.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 8 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 8 photograph
8

At the end of the row, repeat step 4 to complete the second row. Repeat to fill the shape.

Diagonal cross filling method stage 9 illustration
Diagonal cross filling method stage 9 photograph
9

Completed diagonal cross filling.

Diagonal cross filling

Structure of stitch

Crossed Pulled

Common uses

Embellishment Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Whitework Pulled Thread

Related Stitches

Identifying Diagonal cross filling

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.326
  • Thérèse De Dillmont, Encyclopedia of Needlework (1886)