How to do Feather Stitch

Single Feather Stitch is also known as slanted buttonhole stitch. It is a line and smocking stitch used on plain-and evenweave fabrics. A variation of feather stitch, it makes a much plainer line wich is equally effective worked straight or following a curve.

It is worked downwards, and the looped stitches are made only at the right of the line. It has a similar appearance to blanket stitch, but the arms of the stitch are set at an angle.
Double Feather Stitch also known as double coral stitch, it is a wide line stitch used on plain-and even-weave fabrics. It is a great favourite as it makes a branched, feathery line, which is more decorative than that made by feather stitch.

A variation of feather stitch, it is worked in a zigzag pattern. It is used for borders, or multiple rows can be worked to fill a shape. It is worked downwards in a similar way to feather stitch, but two or more stitches are made alternately to the right and left of the line.

It can also be worked irregularly, with the numbers of stitches at each side varying, depending on the shape of the line required.

Instruction

• Bring the neddle out at the top center, hold the thread down with the left thumb, insert the needle a little to the right on the same level and take a small stitch down to the center, keeping the thread under the needle point.
• Next, insert the needle a little to the left on the same level and take a stitch to center (A), keeping the thread under the needle point.
• Work these two movements alternately. (B) shows Double Feather Stitch in which two stitches are taken to the right and left alternately.