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Diagonal stitch icon
Diagonal stitch

This is a canvaswork filling stitch consisting of diagonally offset ovals.  It is similar to condensed Scotch stitch, although the motifs are slightly elongated as the stitches are worked over two, three and four intersections in sequence (condensed Scotch is over one, two and three intersections).

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Flat Condensed Filling Canvaswork

Diagonal stitch is generously sponsored by Renee Hatfield

Method

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Diagonal stitch method stage 1 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Work a diagonal stitch from bottom left to top right, over two intersections.

Diagonal stitch method stage 2 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Repeat with adjacent diagonal stitches over three and four intersections ...

Diagonal stitch method stage 3 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

... and finally over three and two intersections to complete a diagonal oval shape.

Diagonal stitch method stage 4 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Repeat the last two steps.

Diagonal stitch method stage 5 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Continue to complete the diagonal row.

Diagonal stitch method stage 6 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Work back up repeating the stitches.  The shapes should fit neatly together with the small stitch touching the longest stitch of the previous row ...

Diagonal stitch method stage 7 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

... and the longest stitch touching the shortest of the previous row.

Diagonal stitch method stage 8 illustration
Diagonal stitch method stage 8 photograph
8

Continue to complete the pattern and fill the area to be worked.

Diagonal stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat Condensed

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Condensed Scotch stitch Condensed mosaic stitch

References

  • Mrs Archibald Christie, Samplers and Stitches (1921) , p.92
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.74–5