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Three-sided stitch icon
Three-sided stitch

  • Bermuda faggoting
  • Lace stitch
  • Point turc
  • Turkish stitch
Three-sided stitch main image

This pulled work stitch consists of two parallel lines connected by a pattern of zigzags which provide the triangle effect.  The stitches are worked a second time over the original ones which pulls the fabric slightly tighter and gives a heavier line.  Each stitch is double on the right side of the fabric, but the diagonal stitches are single on the reverse side.

Three-sided stitch can be used as a border or as a filling by stitching multiple rows.

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Pulled Reversible Border Open Filling Whitework Pulled Thread

Three-sided stitch is generously sponsored by Pat Martin

Method

Work from right to left. Pull each stitch tightly.

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Three-sided stitch method stage 1 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up four threads from the edge of the area to be filled, then take the needle down four threads to the right.

Three-sided stitch method stage 2 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Come up again where it first emerged. Repeat this to make two stitches using the same holes. It is like you are making a back stitch twice one on top of the other.

Back stitch
Three-sided stitch method stage 3 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Make a pair of diagonal stitches: insert the needle four threads up and two threads to the right and then make a second stitch over this one.

Three-sided stitch method stage 4 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Make another pair of back stitches, bringing the needle up four threads to the left after the end of the diagonal stitches.

Three-sided stitch method stage 5 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 5 photograph
5

Make another pair of diagonal stitches, bringing the needle up four threads down and two threads to the right, which is where the first pair started.

Three-sided stitch method stage 6 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 6 photograph
6

Make another pair of back stitches, bringing the needle up four threads to the left.

Three-sided stitch method stage 7 illustration
Three-sided stitch method stage 7 photograph
7

Repeat the process.

Three-sided stitch

Structure of stitch

Pulled Reversible

Common uses

Border Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Whitework Pulled Thread

References

  • Mrs Archibald Christie, Samplers and Stitches (1921) , p.96
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.199
  • Anchor Embroidery, 100 Embroidery Stitches
  • Sarah Whittle, The Needlecraft Stitch Directory (2012) , p.187