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Shell stitch icon
Shell stitch

  • Fan stitch
  • Scallop stitch

This canvaswork stitch consists of vertical bundles of straight stitches pulled together in the centre with a couching stitch and then embellished with loops threaded through the couching stitches.  A backstitch is worked between rows.

It is sometimes known as fan stitch, not to be confused with another canvaswork stitch called fan stitch.

add_circleMy Stitches
Tied Composite Raised Woven Border Filling Canvaswork

Shell stitch is generously sponsored by Jane Watterson

Method

The stitch can be worked without the looped thread, although this will leave canvas showing that will need to be covered with something else.

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Shell stitch method stage 1 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

This decorative stitch is worked in several stages. First the vertical bars are put in across six horizontal threads of canvas. Each stitch has five of these bars.

Shell stitch method stage 2 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

The last on each group and the first of the next group share the holes of the canvas.

Shell stitch method stage 3 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Work these across the row.

Shell stitch method stage 4 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Next, tie each group together with a horizontal stitch over the two central threads of canvas. You will need to angle the needle out from the stitches and tuck it back round each group.

Shell stitch method stage 5 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Now the groups are linked together with one continuous surface thread. Starting somewhere to the left of the groups, thread the needle under the first holding stitch from top to bottom.

Shell stitch method stage 6 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Take the needle across to the second group and thread it through this group from from bottom to top.

Shell stitch method stage 7 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Again take it through the first and second holding stitches in the same direction. Do not pull the yarn too tight.

Shell stitch method stage 8 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 8 photograph
8

Take the needle across to the third holding stitch and through from the top to bottom, then back to the second holding stitch and through from the bottom to top and finally to the third holding stitch and through from top to bottom.

Shell stitch method stage 9 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 9 photograph
9

Continue across the row linking the groups.

Shell stitch method stage 10 illustration
Shell stitch method stage 10 photograph
10

To cover up any bare canvas that might show when finished, work a back stitch across two threads of the canvas between each row where they meet.

Shell stitch

Structure of stitch

Tied Composite Raised Woven

Common uses

This is a large, very decorative stitch with surface decoration.

Border Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

References

  • Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton, Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (Revised Edition) (1989) , p.163
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004) , p.217