Feather stitch variations

Since all the basic stitches are already covered in the Stitch Library, it is time go over some variations and derivatives! Today, in particular, I would like to speak about some feather stitch variations :)

If you forgot how the basic Feather stitch looks like, take a glance at the picture above. And if you need to refresh in your memory how to work it, read this post first: Feather stitch tutorial.

By the way, we already talked about some variations before! They are just a bit more complicated than the ones I'm going to mention today but totally worth your attention! Read about Feathered chain stitch and Double chain stitch. Even though they both are often included in the chain stitch family, they are also close relatives with feather stitch.

The stitches from today are simple and quick to work, so take a hoop with a spare piece of fabric that you can use for training and let's start!

Single feather stitch

This one is super simple!

Make the first feather stitch. Bring the needle at the starting point of your future feather stitch line, insert the needle opposite to the starting point and bring it out on the same line as the first point where the needle emerged. Make sure to tuck the working end of thread under the needle.

Now repeat the previous steps right below. You can see the “backbone” forming on the left with “spikes” to the right.

This is how it looks finished. If you want to make a really neat feather stitch, it is better to make the “backbone” line. However, with the line on the left where the ending points of “spikes” are situated, marking should be more thoughtful, because the stitches will not cover it. So, either mark the points or use an erasable marker.

Single feather stitch may look a little poor to you, but imagine adding some french knots and lazy daisies to it as little decorations or you can work a mirrored line of single feather stitch to the left or to the right. It will create an interesting base for a border :)

Double feather stitch

If you ever wonder why double chain stitch is called as it is, despite more resemblance to the fly stitch and feather stitch, then maybe it's because the name “double feather stitch” is already occupied.

Well, can't say I know for sure, that's just my wild guess! I just like sometimes to think about stitches' names and origin :)

Anyway, how do you work double feather stitch?

Make the first stitch and then make the second one below it. To align the stitches better, bring the needle up on the same line as the top right point of the stitch above.

Take one more step in the same way. Align the bottom point with the top right point of the stitch above.

Now move to the left and make two new stitches there before returning to the right.

This is how the finished double feather stitch looks like. If you want complete alignment and precision, better to mark 5 vertical lines to follow. But sometimes you might want to freestyle and it's totally cool too!

Madenhair

Lastly, madenhair stitch! If you like geometric patterns you will love this one :)

Make the first stitch as in the picture above with the first point and the bottom points aligned. Then move slightly to the side, inserting the needle a step further to the right and bring it out below the bottom point of the previous stitch.

Repeat the step. It creates new bigger loops enveloping the neighboring ones which creates a peculiar pattern.

Do the same on the other side.

This is the kind of look it creates. Totally something you can use when you need a geometric border. Or you can set french knots at the ends of the stitches, possibly adding any other decorative stitches – it will be fun!

So, here are some variations that you can use in your next projects! Have fun and check Stitch Library for new stitches :)