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Reversed cushion stitch icon
Reversed cushion stitch

  • Reversed Scotch stitch
  • Cushion stitch
Reversed cushion stitch main image

This canvaswork stitch consists of four small square blocks stitched on the diagonal.  Two of the blocks have a stitch angle of bottom left to top right and the other two blocks are the reverse of this: together they form a larger square block with a diamond motif.

 

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Flat Filling Shading Canvaswork

Reversed cushion stitch is generously sponsored by Karen Malmquist

Method

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Reversed cushion stitch method stage 1 illustration
Reversed cushion stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Begin with a tent stitch in the top left-hand corner.

Reversed cushion stitch method stage 2 illustration
Reversed cushion stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Bring your needle up one thread below the start of the previous stitch, and make a stitch across two intersections; repeat across three intersections,

Reversed cushion stitch method stage 3 illustration
Reversed cushion stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

then two and finally make another tent stitch.

Reversed cushion stitch method stage 4 illustration
Reversed cushion stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

For the next block to the right, reverse the stitch direction: begin at the bottom left-hand side with a reversed tent stitch and work the other four stitches across to the top right-hand corner.

Reversed cushion stitch method stage 5 illustration
Reversed cushion stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Continue the sequence along the row. Each row should mirror the row above.

Reversed cushion stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat

Common uses

​Reversed cushion is a slightly raised, structured stitch with a small square pattern repeat which adds subtle texture to a piece.

Filling Shading

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Cushion stitch Condensed Scotch stitch Crossed cushion stitch

Identifying Reversed cushion stitch

This version of cushion stitch is worked in straight rows. Each cushion block is made up of five diagonal stitches across a square of three by three canvas threads and mirrors the stitch direction of its neighbour.

References

  • Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton, Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (Revised Edition) (1989) , p.126
  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.104
  • Betty Barnden, The Embroidery Stitch Bible (2003) , p.157
  • Kate Haxell, The Stitch Bible (2012) , p.144
  • Sarah Whittle, The Needlecraft Stitch Directory (2012) , p.203