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Straight Milanese stitch icon
Straight Milanese stitch

  • Vertical Milanese stitch
Straight Milanese stitch main image

This stitch is a straight version of Milanese stitch: it consists of triangles stacked in a straight line, although collectively they give a visual effect of a wavy line.  At their narrowest point the triangles are worked over two threads and at their widest over eight.

Like all canvas stitches it can be worked vertically or horizontally (the name ‘straight Milanese stitch’ is more commonly used for the horizontal version whereas ‘vertical Milanese stitch’ obviously refers to the vertical version).

 

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Flat Parallel Pattern Filling Shading Canvaswork

Straight Milanese stitch is generously sponsored by Elizabeth Claire Johnston, in memory of Doreen Ramsden 1941-2023

Method

The each triangle can be formed by 3, 4 or 5 parallel stitches.  The point of the triangle is worked over two threads and each subsequent stitch length increases by two threads.

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1
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 1 illustration
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Start with a horizontal thread over two canvas threads.

2
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 2 illustration
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Below this, add 3 horizontal stitches each increasing by one canvas thread at each end to complete a triangle shape.

3
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 3 illustration
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Continue working down and repeat the triangles in a column.

4
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 4 illustration
Straight Milanese stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Work back up the adjacent column using the same sequence, with the position of the triangles reversed, so that the smallest stitch is placed beside the longest in the first row and the triangles fit together.

Straight Milanese stitch

Structure of stitch

Straight Milanese stitch is made up of four or five horizontal parallel stitches each over an even number of threads, each stitch increasing in length by two threads; two four six eight and ten if you want a larger pattern.

Flat Parallel Pattern

Common uses

Filling Shading

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork

Related Stitches

Milanese stitch

References

  • Mary Rhodes, Dictionary of Canvas Work Stitches (1980)
  • Jan Eaton, The complete stitch encyclopedia (1986) , p.129, 131
  • Shelley Cox, RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Bead Embroidery (2013) , p.51