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Finishing stitch icon
Finishing stitch

Finishing stitches are used to securely end a piece of thread by anchoring it to the fabric.

Also see Holding stitch for how to use this method to finish your thread.

add_circleMy Stitches
Flat Holding Construction Appliqué Ayrshire Basic Bead Embroidery Crewelwork Cutwork Goldwork Hardanger Mountmellick Opus Anglicanum Silk shading Stumpwork Surface Wessex Stitchery Whitework

Finishing stitch is generously sponsored by Dr Sarah Woropay

Method

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Finishing stitch method stage 1 illustration
Finishing stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Working in an area that will subsequently be hidden beneath stitching, make two tiny stitches.  Alternatively (if this is the last stitching in this area), carefully angle your needle and bring it up between previous stitches and make two tiny stitches, hiding them under your existing stitches.

Finishing stitch method stage 2 illustration
Finishing stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Bring the needle through to the top of the fabric and cut it off close to the fabric surface.

Finishing stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat

Common uses

Holding Construction

Embroidery Techniques

Appliqué Ayrshire Basic Bead Embroidery Crewelwork Cutwork Goldwork Hardanger Mountmellick Opus Anglicanum Silk shading Stumpwork Surface Wessex Stitchery Whitework

Related Stitches

Stab stitch Holding stitch

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.39