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Spaced cross stitch filling icon
Spaced cross stitch filling

Spaced cross stitch filling main image

This filling stitch consists of diagonally offset cross stitches spaced across an area.  The stitches can be widely spaced, or stitched so that the corners touch.  It can be worked on either evenweave or plain weave fabric.

add_circleMy Stitches
Crossed Powdered filling Surface Counted Thread

Spaced cross stitch filling is generously sponsored by the loving family of Mrs Liselotte Stewart, an extraordinary needleworker

Method

This stitch relies on the stitches being evenly worked, so if you aren’t using an evenweave fabric, mark the positions of the crosses on the fabric.  Both arms of each cross are worked before moving onto the next cross to minimise the amount of trailing threads on the reverse.  The direction of the top crossing stitch should be consistent between the stitches.  Vary the spacing between the crosses to alter the density of the stitching.

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Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 1 illustration
Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 1 photograph
1

Make a diagonal stitch lying bottom left to top right over three intersections.

Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 2 illustration
Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 2 photograph
2

Bring your needle up at the top left and take it down at the bottom right to complete your first cross.

Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 3 illustration
Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 3 photograph
3

Count your desired number of threads to the right and work the next cross stitch in the row.

Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 4 illustration
Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 4 photograph
4

Continue working stitches in the same way.

Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 5 illustration
Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 5 photograph
5

To work your next row, bring your thread up at the top right corner of the cross and take it down at the bottom left corner.  Work the top stitch from bottom right to top left and continue.

Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 6 illustration
Spaced cross stitch filling method stage 6 photograph
6

An area of spaced cross stitch filling.

Spaced cross stitch filling

Structure of stitch

Crossed

Common uses

Powdered filling

Embroidery Techniques

Surface Counted Thread

References

  • Mary Thomas, Jan Eaton, Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (Revised Edition) (1989) , p.86