clear navigate_before

Moorish stitch icon
Moorish stitch

  • Moorish diagonal stitch

This is a canvaswork filling stitching consisting of diagonal bands of Scotch stitch, interspersed bands of with tent stitch.

add_circleMy Stitches
Flat Pattern Parallel Filling Canvaswork

Moorish stitch is generously sponsored by Margaret Broadhurst

Method

Try working rows of cashmere stitch instead of Scotch stitch for the interlocking squares. Intersperse the rows with tent stitch as described above.

pan_tool
Moorish stitch method stage 1 illustration
Moorish stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

To begin, a row of interlocking squares is worked. Make a tent stitch across one intersection of the canvas,  then below it make successive stitches across two, three, two then one intersection again.

Moorish stitch method stage 2 illustration
Moorish stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Repeat these stitches to produce a diagonal pattern of interlocking squares across the area being worked.

Moorish stitch method stage 3 illustration
Moorish stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Adjacent to the squares, work a row of tent stitches following the step of the squares. These should be three tent stitches up and three tent stitches across.

Moorish stitch method stage 4 illustration
Moorish stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Next, work back down the other side of the tent stitches, fitting the square pattern into the spaces left by the tent stitch.

Moorish stitch method stage 5 illustration
Moorish stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Repeat these two rows to continue the pattern.

Moorish stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat Pattern Parallel

Common uses

This stitch is worked in diagonal rows and is very similar to Scotch stitch.
This slightly more textured version of Scotch stitch. It is good for backgrounds and filling areas quite quickly. The pattern gives a nice diagonal stripe.

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Condensed Scotch stitch Tent stitch Hungarian grounding stitch Mosaic stitch

References

  • Rachel Doyle, RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Canvaswork (2013) , p.71
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.150