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Framed cross filling icon
Framed cross filling

Framed cross filling main image

This pulled work stitch consists of a grid of regular square apertures, each with a cross in the centre.  It has similarities with cobbler filling stitch, although the latter has two threads between each square, rather than one.

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Pattern Pulled Embellishment Open Filling Whitework Pulled Thread

Framed cross filling stitch is generously sponsored by Ellen Pirie in memory of her mother, Nancy Foraker.

Method

Work this stitch in horizontal rows to start with. It does not matter if you work from left to right or from right to left (the example below shows left to right).

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Framed cross filling method stage 1 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up to the surface and take it back down over four fabric threads. Pull the thread tight.

Framed cross filling method stage 2 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 2 photograph
2

Bring the needle up at four threads to the right and four threads down, and insert it four threads above. Pull the thread tight.

Framed cross filling method stage 3 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 3 photograph
3

Bring the needle up at one thread to the right and four threads down, and insert it four threads above.  Pull tight.

Framed cross filling method stage 4 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 4 photograph
4

Repeat along the row until the end of the filling area, and work the second row directly below in the same way.

Framed cross filling method stage 5 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 5 photograph
5

When the required number of horizontal rows are worked, work the stitch in vertical rows, making horizontal stitches over four fabric threads to create squares.

Framed cross filling method stage 6 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 6 photograph
6

Move onto the next row, pulling the stitches tightly.

Framed cross filling method stage 7 illustration
Framed cross filling method stage 7 photograph
7

Continue until the area is filled.

Framed cross filling

Structure of stitch

Pattern Pulled

Common uses

Embellishment Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Whitework Pulled Thread

Related Stitches

Cobbler filling stitch

References

  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.59–60