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Fern stitch icon
Fern stitch

Fern stitch main image

Fern stitch consists of three stitches, fanned out from a central point.  It can be worked as an isolated stitch or as a line stitch.

Fern stitch was used in China from the time of the Ming dynasty as it features as an isolated stitch on Mandarin squares from this time.  The Victoria and Albert museum holds several 18th century English embroideries which feature the stitch.

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Flat Isolated Border Outline Embellishment Leaves Powdered filling Surface Crewelwork

Fern stitch is generously sponsored by Susan Chapman

Method

Embroidery books often show differing opinions on which direction the side stitches are worked, some show the needle going down into the same hole as the adjacent centre stitch, whilst others show the needle coming out of that same hole. There is no correct answer as the stitch looks the same on the surface whichever direction the stitch is placed, however depending on the density of your fabric and the fluffy nature of the threads you are using you may find it easier to take the needle down at the base. We have demonstrated both below.

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1
Fern stitch method stage 1 illustration
Fern stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Start by making a straight central stitch at the top of your fern.

2
Fern stitch method stage 2 illustration
Fern stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Add a two further stitches of equal length worked at angles to one another
All three of these stitches should share the same base hole

3
Fern stitch method stage 3 illustration
Fern stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Work further groups of stitches downward to form a branched line, as shown

Fern stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat Isolated

Common uses

This stitch makes a pretty branched line and is often used for decorating leaves and floral shapes.

Border Outline Embellishment Leaves Powdered filling

Embroidery Techniques

Surface Crewelwork

Related Stitches

Fan (pattern) Fan stitch

References