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Greek cross filling stitch (variation) icon
Greek cross filling stitch (variation)

  • Greek four-sided stitch
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) main image

This version of the stitch uses three buttonhole stitches to form the cross, and an anchoring stitch to hold the cross tightly which gives a slightly different effect from the entry for Greek cross filling stitch.  When worked closely together, the crosses form large ovals or diamonds in diagonal lines, as seen in the sleeve ruffle at the end of the entry; when worked with space between each cross, the effect is of four-pointed stars.

For more background see the entry for the original version.

 

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Crossed Pulled Buttonhole Open Filling Pulled thread filling Whitework Pulled Thread

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Method

This stitch can be worked over three, four or five threads, depending on the desired effect. 

This example works the stitches in diagonal rows close together to provide a similar effect to that used in the sleeve ruffle at the end of the entry.  Moyra McNeill in her book Pulled Thread varies the spacing to give a variety of decorative filling effects, one of which is shown in step 10.

When the direction of travel is reversed, the cross starts from the right hand side.  You may find it easier to turn your fabric 180 degrees and follow the initial instructions.

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1
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 1 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring your thread up towards the top right of your design area and take it down four intersections up and right.  Leaving a loop on the surface, bring your needle up four threads across from the starting point and pull tight to form a buttonhole stitch.

Buttonhole stitch
2
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 2 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 2 photograph
2

Take your thread down four threads to the right and leaving a loop bring your needle up in the central hole to form a narrow buttonhole stitch.

3
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 3 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 3 photograph
3

Take your thread down four threads below and bring it back up in the central hole to make another narrow buttonhole stitch.

4
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 4 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 4 photograph
4

Anchor the centre of the cross by taking your thread over the buttonhole stitches and back into the centre hole.

5
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 5 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 5 photograph
5

Count eight threads right from the bottom of the cross, bring your needle up and repeat the first four steps.  Your stitches will share holes with the bottom and left parts of the previous cross.

6
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 6 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 6 photograph
6

Continue working Greek cross filling stitches in this way.

7
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 7 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 7 photograph
7

To work the stitch in the opposite direction, start each cross with a buttonhole stitch across the rightmost and bottom legs and then proceed clockwise.

8
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 8 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 8 photograph
8

Continue working back across the area.

9
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 9 illustration
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 9 photograph
9

A finished area of Greek cross filling stitch.

10
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 10 photograph
10

The reverse of Greek cross filling stitch (variation).

11
Greek cross filling stitch (variation) method stage 11 photograph
11

This version shows the crosses worked with spaces between them.

Greek cross filling stitch (variation)

Structure of stitch

Crossed Pulled Buttonhole

Common uses

Open Filling Pulled thread filling

Embroidery Techniques

Whitework Pulled Thread

Related Stitches

Greek cross filling stitch

Identifying Greek cross filling stitch (variation)

This stitch can be identified by the large holes which form diagonal lines and the crosses which are visible between them.  This stitch is similar to Greek cross filling stitch although the centres of this version are more prominent.

References

  • Moyra McNeill, Pulled thread (1971) , p.82
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.109

Examples of Greek cross filling stitch (variation)

C18 sleeve ruffle

Greek cross filling stitch has been used to work the centres of the flowers.

Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Accession number: 1933.858b

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/179395/sleeve-ruffle