About the Chevron Stitch Family
The Chevron Stitch Family of stitches follows a kind of zig-zag course, creating a beautiful wave-like pattern. It is not a very common stitch in the world of surface embroidery but can be used beautifully, especially in conjunction with some embellishments and creativity. The Chevron Stitch is a staple of a kind of fabric art called Smocking. It is a technique where fabric is gathered to make it stretchable- an excellent method before elastic began to be in use. It was used on different parts of the garment where stretching was needed, like the cuffs, bodices, or necklines. The gathering of fabric is done in different patterns using different stitches, one of the favorites being the Chevron Stitch. In Smocking, it is called the Honeycomb Stitch as rows of it resembles a honeycomb. Smocking begins with gathering the fabric using a temporary Running Stitch. A more decorative and permanent stitch, such as the Chevron Stitch, was done using the gathered folds.
Chevron Stitch Family in Embroidery
Chevron Stitch can be applied over borders. The fillings are great for texturing the fabric. This stitch, though broad, can follow easy curves. Create interesting effects by varying the lengths of the stitches.
Chevron Stitch Family
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Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
This is a stitch that is on a Quilt I am trying to restore due to damage. I do not know this stitch & I looked at yours pictures. I do not know the name or how to do this stitch. Help please. Love your site!! Nicely done!!
Here is photo of stitch.
oops here is the photo
Dear Diane,
For some reason, I am not able to view the picture your uploaded. Can you try doing it again?
Thank you sSarah. I was wondering if it went through. So here it is again.
Dear Diane,
This looks like the feather stitch! 🙂
check this link: Feather Stitch
It might not seem like it if you look at my tutorial, because I tried to work it perfectly between the four stitch lines. The technique remains same. Try keeping the outer stitches small and the inner stitches long, that is, do not make it a perfect ‘V’ , and you will get what you are looking for. Hope I explained it fine.
Let me know if you were able to restore the quilt. 🙂
Hi Diane,
This is the Straight-sided Feather Stitch! 🙂
Is there a way to do the heart in a,larger size. My grand daughter is wanting a quilt with Hearst, but the size posted on FB would be to small.
I would like it around 5 inches width.
Thanks for advice.
Just saw this today and I love it.
Dear Deborah,
I suppose you are talking about the chicken scratch embroidery. One easy idea would be to use larger checks to help you to bring out 5″ hearts. Else, try to work on enlarging the border of the heart to make it bigger and then fill it.
Hope this suggestion helps. 🙂