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Parisian stitch icon
Parisian stitch

  • Josephine stitch

​Parisian stitch is a medium-sized flat canvas stitch consisting of alternating long and short stitches worked in horizontal bands

This stitch evidently dates from at least the 19th century as it features under the name ‘Josephine stitch’ in a British publication from 1847 called The illuminated book of needlework. Unfortunately, no indication is given regarding who Josephine was.

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Pattern Parallel Filling Canvaswork

Parisian stitch is generously sponsored by Dorothy Varty

Method

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Parisian stitch method stage 1 illustration
Parisian stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Make a vertical stitch across two threads of canvas. Next to it make, a vertical stitch across four threads of canvas.

Parisian stitch method stage 2 illustration
Parisian stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Repeat these two stitches alternating between two and four threads of canvas.

Parisian stitch method stage 3 illustration
Parisian stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

For the second row, place the small stitch directly below the longer stitch and vice versa so that the stitches interlock.

Parisian stitch method stage 4 illustration
Parisian stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Repeat on each following row.

Parisian stitch

Structure of stitch

Pattern Parallel

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Hungarian stitch Hungarian grounding stitch Brick stitch

Identifying Parisian stitch

​Worked in horizontal bands and consists of two different size stitches laid alternately and parallel to one another. The smaller stitch being half the length of the larger. Each row is offset with that above allowing the pattern to fit perfectly together and cover the canvas ground.

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.118
  • Kate Haxell, The Stitch Bible (2012) , p.150
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004) , p.210
  • Sarah Whittle, The Needlecraft Stitch Directory (2012) , p.207