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Double Brussels stitch icon
Double Brussels stitch

  • Double net stitch
  • Spotted lace stitch
  • Double spaced buttonhole filling
  • Spaced buttonhole filling
Double Brussels stitch main image

Double Brussels stitch is a needlelace stitch​, consisting of detached butthonhole stitches worked over a pre-existing outline. This is a more open filling stitch than single Brussels stitch, so the gap between the double buttonhole stitches should be made a little wider.

Double Brussels stitch is attached to the background of the fabric only at the edges. In the example below, a simple back stitch outline is used, but this could be a cordonnet when making a needlelace slip.

For more background see the entry for single Brussels stitch; for a corded version see double corded Brussels stitch.

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Looped Detached Filling Needlelace Stumpwork

Double Brussels stitch is generously sponsored by Elizabeth French

Method

It is very useful to work a sample to practice the stitch. Keep the tension as even as possible and try not to pull the stitches too tightly or too loosely. You could use a tapestry needle or a mellor to adjust the tension as you form the rows. When the thread is not long enough for the next row, finish the thread at the end of the row and start a new thread at the beginning of the new row.

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Double Brussels stitch method stage 1 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Outline the edge of the area which you want to fill with back stitch.
Work a double buttonhole stitch in the top left-hand corner of the shape, as for Single Brussels stitch.

Back stitch Single Brussels stitch
Double Brussels stitch method stage 2 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Leave a gap between the two double buttonhole stitches and repeat along the row. Attach the stitch to the right-hand side of the shape by whipping the edge.

Double Brussels stitch method stage 3 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Whip the right-hand side edge again to bring the needle just below the first row.

Double Brussels stitch method stage 4 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Work another row of double buttonhole stitches from right to left, passing the needle through the loops of the previous row. Make sure to work two buttonhole stitches into the big loops of the row above (this will offset the second row).

Double Brussels stitch method stage 5 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Continue to the left-hand side edge of the shape, and pass the needle through the left-hand side edge. 

Double Brussels stitch method stage 6 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Whip down the left-hand side edge to bring the needle just below the previous row.

Double Brussels stitch method stage 7 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Continue working rows of double buttonhole stitch back and forth across the shape in the same way until the shape is filled. On the final row, pass the needle through the loop above and the bottom outer edge as you form each buttonhole stitch.

Double Brussels stitch method stage 8 illustration
Double Brussels stitch method stage 8 photograph
8

A complete Double Brussels stitch

Double Brussels stitch

Structure of stitch

Looped Detached

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Needlelace Stumpwork

Related Stitches

Single Brussels stitch Treble Brussels stitch Double corded Brussels stitch

Identifying Double Brussels stitch

​A woven stitch using buttonhole stitch in rows to fill a shape. Two buttonhole stitches are worked into the loop of the stitch above on the previous row.

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.277