Woven stitches in traditional embroidery
Numerous woven stitches are derived from tapestry, an art as old as embroidery.
They are great fun to stitch and add an extra dimension to your embroidery, especially if you are using them to embellish fabrics.
As an example, see our embroidery on our Farandole Bretonne fabric.
They are great fun to stitch and add an extra dimension to your embroidery, especially if you are using them to embellish fabrics.
As an example, see our embroidery on our Farandole Bretonne fabric.
Our videos are in French, however they are clear enough to be understood whatever your language.
Below you will find some essential tips.
Below you will find some essential tips.
Wheel stitch
Wheel stitch is made on the base of a small circle which can either be drawn or sewn on a fabric with circular forms.
The most important thing in this stitch is to start with an odd number of “spokes”.
Starting from the centre, you will weave the thread through the spokes clockwise, as shown in our video.
Small tip: it is easier to weave using the eye end of the needle. Don’t pull the thread too tightly, you need to keep the volume of the thread to get the best result.
To get the best results for this stitch, it is preferable to use a “puffy” thread, like our Laine Saint-Pierre or our Tonkin embroidery thread.
The most important thing in this stitch is to start with an odd number of “spokes”.
Starting from the centre, you will weave the thread through the spokes clockwise, as shown in our video.
Small tip: it is easier to weave using the eye end of the needle. Don’t pull the thread too tightly, you need to keep the volume of the thread to get the best result.
To get the best results for this stitch, it is preferable to use a “puffy” thread, like our Laine Saint-Pierre or our Tonkin embroidery thread.
Whipped wheel stitch
The start of the whipped web stitch is the same as for the wheel stitch, the only difference being that you can have an odd or even number of spokes.
Afterwards, you will be winding the thread around the spokes.
As above, it is easier to use the eye end of the needle.
The spokes of this lovely raised stitch can be embroidered to the extremity or not, depending on the desired effect.
Afterwards, you will be winding the thread around the spokes.
As above, it is easier to use the eye end of the needle.
The spokes of this lovely raised stitch can be embroidered to the extremity or not, depending on the desired effect.
Woven stitch
Woven stitches are sewn on foundation stitches. For a spectacular result, it is best to use three or four strands of thread and contrasting colours.
The first step is to sew the foundation stitches. Depending on the required result, these stitches can be close together or evenly spaced.
Afterwards, you will be weaving the contrasting thread over and under, in the same method as if you were using a loom, alternating on each row.
As a variant, you can mix different threads together.
Apart from being decorative, this stitch can be used for visible mending on clothes.
The first step is to sew the foundation stitches. Depending on the required result, these stitches can be close together or evenly spaced.
Afterwards, you will be weaving the contrasting thread over and under, in the same method as if you were using a loom, alternating on each row.
As a variant, you can mix different threads together.
Apart from being decorative, this stitch can be used for visible mending on clothes.
Woven blanket stitch
You can find the blanket stitch in our decorative stitches section.
Here it is woven on an odd number for foundation stitches.
Make sure to push the stitches down to the base between each weave.
Here it is woven on an odd number for foundation stitches.
Make sure to push the stitches down to the base between each weave.
Fringe stitch
This stitch is a succession of loops worked from left to right, fixed into place with running and back stitch.
Once you have sewn the loops in place, the are trimmed to form a fringe.
Once you have sewn the loops in place, the are trimmed to form a fringe.
Detached woven picot stitch
This is a raised stitch which forms miniature flags which are detached from the fabric.
The base is a triangle. You will also need a pin, preferably with a glass tip, which will help form the picot.
Important: the first two weaves should be tight to form the tip of the flag. The remaining weaves are looser.
The base is a triangle. You will also need a pin, preferably with a glass tip, which will help form the picot.
Important: the first two weaves should be tight to form the tip of the flag. The remaining weaves are looser.
