Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch Feathered

a member of the buttonhole family

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step 1 of a step by step illustration of how to work Up and down button hole stitch featheredUp and down feathered buttonhole is worked like feather stitch. It is a variation of buttonhole stitch easily worked on all types of fabrics. A feathery line of twin stitches is created. Each stitch of the pair is separate step. The bar at the base of each pair of stitches adds extra texture to the line. The line created is equally effective when worked in straight lines or following curves.

Before working this stitch be familiar with feather stitch, buttonhole and up and down buttonhole stitch. When working this stitch it is useful to imagine 3 parallel lines.

As you would with feather stitch bring the needle out at the top of the line to be worked, insert the needle to the right bringing it out of the fabric below these two points in the center. Loop the thread under the needle and take the needle through the fabric.

This first V shape creates the first of the tied pairs of stitches. step 2 of a step by step illustration of how to work Up and down button hole stitch feathered

 

 

For the second stitch of the pair, when you take the needle through the fabric, point the needle in the opposite direction in other words point the needle outwards and wrap the thread under the needle at the top. Pull the needle through the fabric. As you do this hold down the loop that forms with the left thumb to prevent it slipping. This loop forms the bar at the base of both stitches.

This forms the first pair of tied stitches.

 

 

 

step 3 of a step by step illustration of how to work Up and down button hole stitch feathered

Insert the needle a little to the right on the same level and make a small stitch in a downward motion so that the needle point appears on the centre line.

Keeping the thread under the needle point pull the thread through the fabric to make a V shape which is the first part of next pair of stitches.

Once again turn the needle in the opposite direction and wrap the thread under the needle.

Pull the needle through the fabric.

As you do this hold down the loop that forms with the left thumb to prevent it slipping.

step 4 of a step by step illustration of how to work Up and down button hole stitch feathered

Next insert the needle a little to the left on the same level. Work these movements alternatively down the line.

This stitch sounds more complicated than it is to do and works well as a seam embellishment in crazy quilting.

 

 

 

step 5 of a step by step illustration of how to work Up and down button hole stitch feathered

There are many other stitches that are classified in this group. The stitches that I have listed here in the Buttonhole family are: