Raised leaf stitch

Raised leaf stitch consists of a number of loops of thread stitched down by one, or sometimes two, straight stitches to form the ‘stem’ of the leaf. The loops of thread resemble a leaf.
Method

Begin by cutting a small rectangle out of card - no wider than about 1cm and significantly longer than the leaf.

Mark the position of the leaf with a single line drawn onto the fabric. Bring the thread through to the front of the fabric at the tip of the leaf.

Hold the card at right angles to the fabric and stitch over it, making sure that the thread of the first stitch is taken down through the same hole as it came up (this will ensure a sharp point to the leaf).

Pull the thread through to form the stitch, then bring the needle back up on the opposite side of the card just in front of the last stitch.

Continue to form stitches along the card. When you have worked approximately six to eight stitches, bring the needle up on one side of the card and pass the eye-end of the needle under all the stitches back to the tip.

Pull the thread through, then hold on to the stitches with your left hand and remove the strip of card with the other.

Hold the stitches upright and gently pull the thread over towards the base of the leaf.

Shape the leaf gently and take the thread down through the fabric at the base of the leaf.

The completed leaf. Try using a thread in another colour to work a single stitch from the centre to the end of the leaf. This will add variation to the central vein and stem.

Common uses
Related Stitches
Identifying Raised leaf stitch
Raised leaf stitch consists of a number of loops of thread, seemingly to come from one hole at the top of the stitch (when in fact it is a row of looped stitches attached down a line drawn on the fabric) and attached down by one or two straight stitches to form the ‘stem’ of the leaf. The loops of thread resemble a leaf.
References
-
Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.272