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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.  It can also be used to hold down a small hem or cover the join when a piece of fabric is applied to another - Barbara Snook indicates that the alternative name of Bermuda faggoting refers to this use of covering a join.

add_circleMy Stitches
Pulled Reversible Border Open Filling Pulled thread filling Whitework Pulled Thread

Three-sided stitch is generously sponsored by Pat Martin

Method

Work from right to left. Pull each stitch tightly.
Some authors work the diagonal stitches twice but the top and bottom stitches only once, particularly when used to join two pieces of fabric.  Other
The stitch can be worked over 3, 4 or 5 threads although most authors agree that it works best when the stitches are kept small.

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1
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.

2
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
3
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.

4
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.

5
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.

6
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.

7
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 Pulled thread 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
  • Barbara Snook, Barbara Snook’s Embroidery Stitches (1963) , p.93