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Spanish knotted feather stitch icon
Spanish knotted feather stitch

  • Twisted zigzag chain stitch
Spanish knotted feather stitch main image

The Spanish knotted feather stitch is worked downwards to create a wide, decorative line. It can be worked on plain-weave fabric or even-weave fabric.

The alternative name for this stitch of twisted zigzag chain stitch, and sums up its composition: made up of twisted chain stitches in a zigzag formation.

The origins of this stitch are not documented, but it was certainly in use by the early 20th century, as it features on a sampler stitched by Louisa Pesel and currently held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

add_circleMy Stitches
Looped Chained Border Embellishment Outline Surface Appliqué

Spanish knotted feather stitch is generously sponsored by in memory of Lesley Rae

Method

In order to work this stitch evenly, mark three parallel guidelines or use an even-weave fabric and count the threads. Work from top to bottom.

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1
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 1 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up on the right side guideline and throw the thread to the left. Insert the needle on the centre guideline so that your working thread crosses itself to form a loop.

2
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 2 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Bring the needle up inside the loop on the left side guideline. Pull the thread through to create a twisted chain stitch.

Twisted chain stitch
3
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 3 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Throw the thread to the right. Insert the needle on the centre line just above the first stitch so that your working thread crosses itself to form a loop.

4
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 4 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Bring the needle up inside the loop on the right side guideline. Pull the thread through.

5
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 5 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Throw the thread to the left. Insert the needle on the centre guideline just above the second stitch.

6
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 6 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Repeat step 2.

7
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 7 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Repeat the process from side to side in a zigzag fashion. Always insert the needle on the centre guideline just above the previous stitch.

8
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 8 illustration
Spanish knotted feather stitch method stage 8 photograph
8

Finish the stitch by anchoring the last loop.

Spanish knotted feather stitch

Structure of stitch

Looped Chained

Common uses

Border Embellishment Outline

Embroidery Techniques

Surface Appliqué

Related Stitches

Twisted chain stitch Feather stitch

References