What Is the Feather Stitch?

The surface embroidery is used to create cool lines of feather stitch and its variations along the curve and straight lines. It is one of the most basic and popular embroidery stitches and can be used to create an edge finish or surface embroidery stitch. It is also useful for attaching sewing and application to material in an embroidery project. A feather stitch fabric can be identified or acted as a count stitch. This is done by using open half-loops in single or multiple rows. There are several popular variations on basic feather stitching. 

 Step 1

A.    Bring the index to the top left (1) and bottom right (2), creating a loop on the embroidered fabric.
B.    Move the index up again to the center of your newly created loop, a distance less than the first loop (3), and again to the right (4) below.
C.    Continue interlocking loops at the desired length.

Step 2

Straight Feather Stitch 

  The straight feather stitch is similarly worked to the basic feather stitch except for the loops lining. When working straight feather stitches, the loops extend from one side to the bottom of the other (in this case, left to right), giving a straight look to the right or left.


This stitch looks great when used as an edge in the Redwork Embroidery design. You can also work it in two rows, stitching the opposite face, and the row extends 1 or 2 inches apart. Between the two rows, you can fill in a variety of extra stitches to create a custom band of stitches. Another good application of straight feather stitching is to secure the sides of a ribbon or decorative fabric.

Step 3

Closed Feather Stitch 

The closed feather stitch is worked in the same way as the basic feather stitch, except the loops are lined at the lateral edges, forming a closed edge. When stitching the closed feathers, the insertion point of the continuous loops is placed at the same location in the fabric as the exit of the anterior loops. Nearby feather stitches can be used as coaching stitches for long ribbon rings.

Step 4 

Two Variations on the Straight Feather Stitch 

Straight feather stitching can be done with a straight edge on both sides or along the center of a sewing band.

Step 5 

Double Feather Variation

In the double feather version of feather stitching, the stitches are worked into the left and right groups of three more twisted stitches, which form a more complex band of stitching. This decorative variation is useful for wide borders and bands. It looks especially beautiful when used as a banded strip of embroidery in clothing, table linen and bed skirts. For the most decorative effect, apply double featured stitches a few inches from the rounded edge.