Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch
a member of the buttonhole family
Up and down buttonhole stitch is also known as Mirrored buttonhole stitch It is a variation of buttonhole stitch easily worked on all types of fabrics. The line this stitch forms is interesting as creates a pair of vertical stitches which are crossed with a tie at the base.
Work this stitch from left to right.
Each stitch of the pair is separate step.
Starting as you would with buttonhole work the first stitch of the pair, take the needle through the fabric next to this stitch as illustrated.
Wrap the yarn under the needle and pull the needle through the foundation fabric.
For the second stitch of the pair instead of pointing the needle down ward and looping the thread under the needle at the base, point the needle up ward and wrap the thread under the needle at the top as illustrated.
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.
Move along the line and repeat the process.
Up and down buttonhole stitch creates a bold outline, which is easily worked on curves and circles.
The vertical stitches can be varied in length and angle making it ideal as foliage in floral motifs or as a seam decoration in crazy quilting.
It can be worked as a couching stitch to hold down textured threads or further decorated with beads, french knots or bullion knots in combination with straight stitches.
If the prongs are worked in a slight V shape you can add detached chain stitches and bullion knots worked as rose buds.
Buttonhole family:
There are many other stitches that are classified in this group. The stitches that I have listed here in the Buttonhole family are:
- Barb stitch
- Berwick stitch
- Bonnet stitch
- Buttonhole Bar
- Buttonhole wheel
- Closed Buttonhole stitch
- Closed Feather stitch
- Crossed Buttonhole stitch
- Detached buttonhole stitch
- Feather stitch
- Rosette of thorns
- Up and Down Buttonhole
- Up and Down buttonhole feathered
