God’s Eye Stitch is also known as
Ojo de Dios [ES].
About the God’s Eye Stitch
This stitch is technically similar to the Whipped Spider Wheel Stitch. The only difference lies in the base of straight stitches around which weaving is done. The God’s Eye Stitch is made of two straight stitches that lie over each other to form a cross. After whipping around the four arms of the cross, one arm will remain extended.
This stitch is inspired by a technique used to make an ancient symbol by the Huichol Indians of Mexico and the Aymara Indians of Bolivia. This symbol represents the ability to see and understand the unseen, and so like the eye of God. They use two sticks in the shape of a cross around which the weaving is done using colorful threads and wool. In Mexico, the central eye is made when a child is born, adding a bit to it each year, and finishing it up when the child turns five. In Bolivia, this work was placed on the altar so that the gods could watch over and protect the people.
How to make the God’s Eye Stitch
To make this stitch, it is an advantage if you know the stitch technique to whipped spider wheel.
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| Fig 1: Start by making a cross with two straight stitches, A-B and C-D, as shown. It looks like a Christian cross. | Fig 2: Now, bring out the needle with a different color from one of the four corners of the cross, as shown. Then, we start whipping around each arm of the cross, taking back stitches. |
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| Fig 3: Continue the process of taking back stitches and whipping around each arm till the top three arms are completely filled. The lower arm will remain extended and unfilled in the lower portion. | Fig 4: A completed God’s Eye Stitch will look like this. A bigger cross would show clearer features. Using wool or perle cotton thread to whip around the cross would make the stitch look neater and more enhanced. |
Learn the stitches from our Hand Embroidery Book
Learn the God’s eye Stitch and 200 other stitches through our 450-page Hand Embroidery book.
Related Stitches from the Woven Stitch Family
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Woven Circle
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Woven Oval
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Woven Spider’s Wheel
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Whipped Spider’s
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God’s Eye Stitch
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Weaving Stitch
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Woven Trellis Stitch
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Woven Bar
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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.
hi sarah, the way which u have explained is very good. I am very thankful to u. i have learned many things from u. thank u so much.
Hi Sarah,
Tutorials are too good and very informative. I appreciate your patience and interest in pen down the detail and step by step with pictures. Keep posted. Thank you.
Regards,
Shwetha
Hi sarah,
Do u know about aari work? aari work with some special needles to be used on neck designs in blouses and chudithars and also in sarees. will u give information about it?
Hey Ramya,
I am aware of aari work (also known as Zalakdozi). I have made a simple tutorial on replicating aari work using the normal needle.
For info on aari work check: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/hand-embroidery/zalakdozi/
For the tutorial check: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/hand-embroidery/zalakdozi/zalakdozi-tutorial/
Hope this helps. 🙂
Hi Sarah. ,
I want to learn aari works for making wedding blouse by myself. So Please can you posted the pictures step by step.
hi sarah,
I was so excited on seeing ur embroidery tutorials. It was really very very nice. I am very much eager to learn emboideries. U r going to be my tutor. Thanks a lot.
Dear Ramya,
We are happy that you have really been inspired by our work adn are enjoying our tutorials. 🙂
Dear Gouri,
Thanks for uploading your work. 🙂 It is beautiful. The flowers done in blanket stitch look nice.
hi…
will u plzz add some technique for phulkari , zardozi and kashida.
tough i love all you techniques.. amazzing 😀
thanxxz
Dear Anu,
Your requests are kept in mind. We are trying to put as many traditional embroideries as we can in our tutorial. Since each tutorial page takes a ot of research, effort and time to be made, it might not happen immediately, but will surely. So, you might have to wait a bit.
We appreciate your interest shown. 🙂
Such a wonderful website !!!!
Your tutorials are just superb !!!
I will learn so many things from your site…….
THANKS A LOT DEAR FOR SHARING IT!!!
🙂 So glad you found our pages nice Sheetal. Happy that you are enjoying the tutorials.
Hello Sarah– I wanted you to know how much I’ve enjoyed learning so many new stitches from your thoughtful and easy to follow tutorials! I’ve blogged about a small sampler I did as a result of your fine instruction. You can find it here:
http://wp.me/poLK3-Xe
Thank you so much,
Ellen
Dear Ellen,
What a beautiful sampler you have made! 🙂
Totally proud of you.
Hi.. sarah
Thank you soo much for this website u created. I have developed interest in stitching after i went through your website. Great work..
Thank you
Wow Rani,
It is delightful to know that you have been inspired by our pages. 🙂 Thanks!
Great site with so many wonderful instructions! I’m definitely bookmarking. I appreciate all the work that went into the tutorials. You are doing a wonderful job.
Ellen
Dear Ellen,
Thanks for encouraging us with your words. 🙂 Happy that you are enjoying our pages.
HI..
This is a very useful website i have ever gone thru… thanks for the simple yet effective ideas given
Thank you Dheepika 🙂
Parabens, teu blog é lindo e todo o teu trabalho tambén, abraços,
Cecilia
Grazas Cecilia 🙂
Very beautiful your blog loved sewing classes!
congratulations be with God.
http://alcenacvc.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/alcena.cvc
Thanks Alcena 🙂
Hi Sarah
I am trying to make myself a waist training corset and would like to secure the ends of the bones the way they used to in Victorian times. I believe its called flossing. What is the best stitch to use for this, that is also decorative and will give a better look than just plain bone casings.
Thanks
Christine
Dear Christine,
I am sorry to be late in replying to you as I was away on a long vacation for a close relative’s wedding.
I went through your query, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to be of much help to you since I am not much familiar with training corsets, or what stitch could it possibly use. I hope you find this information from a better and a more reliable source.
Thanks for all your uploads. its really very helpful. Can u please provide mirror work and other traditional embroideries too?
Dear Reshma,
Thanks for showing interest to learn more, as we always apreciate it. 🙂 We are working towards providing as many Indian and other traditional embroideries as possible. Since makin a tutorial takes a lot of effort, research and time, it might not happen immediately, but as soon as it is possible for us. We keep your request in mind. So, look forward to the many lessons to come. 🙂
can i subscribe 2 this website????would like to get changes and also not forget your site…Thank you…please reply…
sincerely, anita
Hey Anita, You can subscribe to the embroidery articles using a feed reader (like google reader), with the following url: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/feed
🙂
thnx for the upload…it ws really helpful 🙂
🙂 you’re welcome Maham.