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Pulled Thread Work Tutorial
Pulled Thread Work
Free Lesson
Pulled Thread Stitches -
Pulled Thread Embroidery Stitches
© 2009 Lorelei Terry Halley
You may copy this for personal use, not for commercial use.
Copying to another website
is specifically prohibited.
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Pulled Thread Work
The White Sampler Pulled
Thread Tutorial 2
Pulled Thread Stitches
Pulled Thread Gallery
Pulled Thread Sampler:
Working a sampler is a good way to start using this technique and style of
embroidery. There are over 70 stitches, but you don't need to learn them
all at once. I've selected one or two pulled thread stitches from each of the 10
families of stitches, the stitches that are easiest to count or most basic.
I have then used these stitches to create a set of small coasters or mats that
you can give as gifts. They could also be made into pincushions, sachets
or tree or window ornaments. The first 4 mats use all the stitches
on the sampler here below, and only those stitches. The mat diagrams, and
other suggestions for small learning projects, are
on the Pulled Thread Tutorial 2
page. That page also has several ideas for bookmarks.
Pulled Thread Work Sampler
For those who prefer not to commit to a whole sampler, I suggest making
bookmarks using just a few stitches. See
Pulled Thread Tutorial 2
Another option would be to choose one of the small mats, and then work only the
sampler rows which contain the stitches used in that mat. This would give
you a place to practice stitches before using them.
The photo below is a basic sampler I suggest for a beginner to practice on. It
is not a hang-on-the-wall type of sampler, but a record for the stitcher's own
use, so you can really see what happens with the particular stitch. My sampler
is 17" long inside the stitched borders and 9 1/4" wideand is worked
on 21 threads per inch fabric. On fabric of a higher thread count, you
could make a smaller sampler and still have room to practice the stitches. I propose to make this
into 10 rows, with each row having 3 columns. Each row will be one of the most
basic stitches from the 10 families of pulled stitches. The left column will be
the stitch worked as a single row worked horizontally. The center column will be
the same stitch worked as a solid mass or filling stitch. The right hand column
will be for those stitches that can be worked diagonally or that have diagonal
variants. I find it helpful when I am choosing a stitch for a project
to have a visual record of which stitches work best horizontally and
which diagonally. And those
stitches which can be worked both ways often look very different in their
horizontal and diagonal variants. The dimensions don't have to be exactly
what I have chosen. But each cell should be at least 1"x 2" (3x5cm) or a little
larger.
The fabric I used is 21 threads per inch. I used a 20/2 linen to do the pulled
stitches and pearl cotton #5 for the cell boundary stitches. All stitching is
done with a blunt pointed needle as counted thread stitches. For the
pulled stitches the needle should slide between the fabric thread, not pierce
them. For the outlining stitches on this sampler, I also recommend blunt
pointed needles (although for a curvilinear design, a sharp needle for the
outline would probably be best.) You don't need to do the outline
stitching for the whole sampler. Just do enough to outline the cells you
will be working with at present.
The stitches I've used in this sampler are the simplest and easiest to count of
the stitches in their respective stitch families. Nearly all of them have many
many variants, and some of those show the most striking effects. Small
differences in spacing can make an enormous difference in how the stitch looks.
I especially recommend McNeill whose book has many variants, and whose stitch
diagrams and photos are clear.
My descriptions of how to work the stitches is based on my customary practices.
I do realize that embroidery is not done always in the same way in different
traditions. For instance, some work every stitch with the needle pointing
away from the embroiderer, and some point the needle towards oneself. I
work with the needle pointing towards myself. I also work using a sewing
motion, not a stabbing motion. And I am right handed. My
descriptions of stitch directions and where to start and what direction to move
in assume a right handed sewing motion. But you don't have to work using
my methods; work however you are most comfortable. My methods and stitch
direction will give you the easiest most comfortable way of moving your hands,
if you happen to work the same way I do.
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Outline stitches:
bkmk
In the diagrams below each line on the graph paper represents 1 thread of the
fabric.
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The stitches used so far:
top horizontal is Danish knot stitch
1st horizontal row is Hungarian chain stitch
Left border vertical row is chain stitch
center left vertical is coral knot over 2 threads, space 2 threads
center right vertical is Danish knot
right border vertical is coral knot over 2 threads, spaced 3 threads |
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Danish knot stitch
Start the Danish knot stitch in the upper left hand corner and work from the top
down. The first stitch is a stitch going diagonally from upper left to lower
right, about 2 threads x 2 threads. Think of 2 parallel vertical lines. The needle
always comes out on the left line and goes into the fabric on the right line. It
comes out to begin the 2nd phase on the left line. Then you take the needle on
top of the diagonal stitch and slip it down underneath that stitch without
catching the fabric. The needle then goes into the fabric on the right line and
comes out on the left line.
Then repeat. My diagram shows 2 slightly different ways of counting fabric
threads to space the stitches. The difference is how close together you want the
little knotty lumps to be. Fangel Winckler show some spaced and some close
together. So I infer that it is the stitcher's choice.
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Hungarian chain stitch is started in 4 movements, similar to broad chain
or heavy chain but involves some weaving over the 3rd stitch and under the 2nd.
In the 2nd movement slide the needle behind the vertical stitch without piercing
the fabricand make a small upside down chain stitch. In the 3rd movement also, do not pierce the fabric just slide
the needle behind the vertical thread and make a longer upside down chain
stitch. In the 4th movement slide the
needle on top of the 3rd movement (the large stitch), but behind the 2nd movement
(the small stitch). Do not
pierce the fabric in either case.
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Palestrina knot stitch
In the 2nd movement, slip the needle behind the diagonal stitch, without
piercing the fabric. In the 3rd movement also, do not pierce the fabric.
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See the bottom of this web page for online resources for stitch
diagrams and instructions.
I have included a diagram of the Danish knot stitch because the only book I've
found it in is Fangel, Winckler et al. The other stitches marking the boundaries
on the sampler are common embroidery stitches described in many books.
As to the actual pulled stitches: start where the * is, use an away waste
knot and plan to weave the end behind the stitches afterwards. The dotted lines
represent the thread path on the wrong side of the fabric. This is important!!
It is not the stitches which are the focus of attention in pulled thread work,
but the holes that the stitches make. The thread path on the wrong side is part
of what shapes those holes. So don't fudge, think it through and make the wrong
side just as exact as the right side. The only place you fudge is sometimes at
the end of a row, because sometimes the 2nd row begins where the 1st ended.
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Sampler rows 1 & 2 |
Row 1 Wave Stitch |
bkmk |
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On the yellow sampler the upper left hand cell, the lower line is wave
stitch (I think the easiest to learn and count). Wave stitch is worked from
right to left. The line stitch above it is reverse wave stitch. Reverse wave
stitch is worked from left to right. Several pulled thread stitches have a
reverse version which looks quite different from the standard version.
Wave stitch: work from right to left. Probably the easiest pulled
thread stitch |
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Reverse wave stitch: from left to right.
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Center top cell is wave stitch worked as a solid filling.
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Wave stitch does not work diagonally. There are many variants which all look
different, but in this sampler I'm trying to stick to just the most basic and
easiest stitches. Reverse wave,
when worked with space between the rows, produces an embossed or ridged effect.
Pebble, another wave variant also makes a puffy line when a few threads
are left unworked between rows. |
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Row 2 Four Sided Stitch |
bkmk |
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4 sided stitch: work from right to left. One of the most useful pulled
thread stitches. |
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Left cell 2nd row is 4 sided stitch. 4 sided stitch is worked from right to
left. Also some authors show 4 sided with the first stitch worked from top to
bottom, not bottom to top. But I like it this way. Four sided stitch is usually
worked over 4 threads but can be worked over 3 threads. |
Center cell is 4 sided worked as a solid filling.
Right hand 2nd row cell is 4 sided worked diagonally over 2 threads, diagonally
over 4 threads, and worked in diagonal rows over 4 threads. |
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Diagonal 4 sided worked over 2 threads |
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Diagonal 4 sided worked over 4 threads
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4 sided worked in diagon |
You now also have photographs of all the stitches (except the edge stitch), and
diagrams for them, that were used in the purple piece called pulled thread
beginner's piece #1.
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Sampler Rows 5 & 6 |
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Row 5 Faggot Stitch |
bkmk |
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Row 5 center is faggot stitch. The right hand cell has 1 row of faggot stitch,
then 2 rows of reverse faggot back to back, then 1 row of reverse faggot.
Faggot can be thought of as wave stitch on the diagonal.
faggot
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reverse faggot, also called diagonal cable
bkmk
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Row 6 Greek Cross
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bkmk |
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Row 6 center is Greek cross arranged in what I call the dense array (as many
stitches as possible in the space, there are other less dense variations). The
right hand cell has one row of Greek cross worked over 6 threads (each leg is 3
threads), and one row worked over 8 threads. Some authors of my various booklets
say that you can move horizontally from one stitch to another or diagonally. I
have found that moving from upper right to lower left gives the best pull and
the largest holes. |
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1 Greek cross stitch |
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Greek cross row |
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Greek cross 2 rows |
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Pulled Thread Sampler
Rows 7 & 8 |
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Row 7 Upright Cross. |
bkmk |
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Upright cross is always a diagonal stitch, worked from lower right to upper
left. It is worked in two journeys: on the upward journey from lower right to
upper left all the vertical bars are made first, then on the 2nd journey, from
upper left to lower right, you come back down working all the horizontal bars of
each cross, without turning the work, and using the same holes as on the first
journey.
The center section has each stitch worked over 6 threads. It can be
worked over 4, 6, or 8 threads. Spacing is important, and differences in the
spacing of rows causes differences in the fabric distortions.
Upright cross worked over 6 threads |
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Ridge or diagonal raised band
The right hand cell has two rows spaced 3 threads apart See the diagram left.
The fabric threads between the rows of upright crosses is where the interest is.
This effect is achieved whenever the 2 rows are spaced half the length of the
stitch itself.
Diagonal raised band, ridge stitch
Two
rows of upright cross spaced as in right hand cell. |
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That is followed by a single row over 6 threads, and then by a single row over 4
threads.
This stitch makes a prominent diagonal ridge, hence one of its names. I
think the ridge effect is more pronounced when there is some space between the
rows rather than when they are snugged together.
Upright cross over 4 threads.
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Row 8 Double Back Stitch. |
bkmk |
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All the variants of this stitch make puffy cushion like spots on the cloth. I
chose these variants because cushion is the easiest to understand and count. I
chose square double back because the pronounced diagonal row of square puffs is
visually very interesting. |
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The left cell has one row of plain double back, and one row of cushion.
Plain double back stitch
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Cushion stitch
The center cell has 3 rows of cushion snugged in its usual spacing. |
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Square double back stitch
The right hand cell has square double back.
This one is difficult to
understand the first time you try it. It moves most naturally from lower right
to upper left. Think of the square first as a pair of horizontal lines.
You start by working the bottom and top horizontal lines of the square. After
stitch leg #6 you rotate the work 90 degrees counterclockwise and go to stitch
leg 7. Work the stitch legs in order according to the numbers. The transition
from the 1st square to the 2nd is shown as the transition from stitch leg 12 of
the 1st square to leg 1 of the 2nd. It is important to follow this sequence
exactly. I found this explained in Fangel Winckler. There is another sequence
that can be used but it pulls the squares into parallelograms, not squares.
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Sampler Rows 9 & 10 |
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Row 9 Three Sided Stitch
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bkmk
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This stitch works both horizontally and diagonally, although the horizontal
version is far more common. The left cell has the stitch horizontal, worked from
right to left, according to the diagram left (although it can be worked left to
right). Each leg is worked over twice. Once you learn the sequence, you will
find it very rhythmic and relaxing. The center section uses the same diagram,
but has the rows snugged together so that row 2 uses the holes of row 1 and so
forth.
3
Sided Stitch
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The right hand cell has one row of diagonal 3 sided stitch. It is worked from
upper right to lower left.
Diagonal 3 Sided Stitch |
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Row 10 Eyelets |
bkmk |
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The left cell has eyelets worked in a square of 4x4 fabric threads. You can work
a row in two journeys: the top half of each eyelet on the outward journey, and
the bottom half on the return journey. It is easier to move from eyelet to
eyelet if you do work in two journeys. In the left hand cell I used ordinary
sewing thread in a color which exactly matches the cloth. Being very thin it
allowed me to created maximum size holes, and the stitching itself virtually
disappears. This is what should happen in pulled thread: the stitches should be
invisible and the holes should be all you see.
In working eyelets always come up on the outer perimeter of the eyelet
and go down in the center, pulling when you have just come up.
This makes the central hole more prominent.
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The center cell has some clumped as solid fillings. The right hand cell has
diagonal lines. The left is over 4 threads. The diagonal eyelets each occupy 10
fabric threads. |
The only thing remaining now is the edge finish.
The Edge Finish - Squared Edging Stitch
bkmk
The yellow sampler has squared edging stitch as its edge finish. This is also
the edge I used on my pulled thread beginner's piece #1 (ptb1), the small purple
square. The first row is worked far enough from the fabric edge for the edge to
be folded over (I should have left more than I did.) This edge is described both
in McNeil and in Fangel Winckler.
front side of sampler
back side of sampler
1st row, work right to left
After the first row is completed all around, fold the fabric exactly on the line
of the edge stitch, and work a 2nd row through both layers of fabric, with that
2nd row of stitching using the holes from the first row.
This shows the 2nd row from the right side, worked
over folded fabric
back side, 2nd row begun
2nd row over folded fabric
3rd row, front
3rd row, back
A third row can be worked inside the last one. Being insecure, I feel safer
doing that 3rd row. Fabric threads which extend beyond the stitching can be cut
off. This edge seems to be considered acceptable for table linens, and certainly
for a sampler. But McNeil shows several other more elegant and time consuming
methods. Four sided stitch and three sided stitch can be used in the same way.
Online source for discussion and feedback:
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/group/pulledthreadwork
Some online sources for diagrams of some embroidery stitches:
http://www.needlenthread.com/2006/11/portuguese-knotted-stem-stitch-video.html
http://www.needlenthread.com/2007/04/palestrina-stitch-video-tutorial.html
http://www.needlenthread.com/2008/07/video-tutorial-coral-stitch.html
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html
http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/basic-embroidery-stitches.html
http://quietermoments.wordpress.com/stitch-dictionaries/ She gives a
list of several stitch sources online.
Other online lessons:
http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/pulled-work.html
http://www.needleart.org/Charts/Hearts/pulled/
Pulled Thread Work
The White Sampler
Site Map
Pulled Thread Tutorial 2
Pulled Thread Stitches
© Lorelei Halley 2009
You may copy this for personal use, not for commercial use.
Copying to another website
is specifically prohibited.
If you need help, contact me at
lhalley@bytemeusa.com
Pulled Thread Work Sampler
front side of sampler
back side of sampler
This shows the 2nd row from the right side, worked
over folded fabric
back side, 2nd row begun
3rd row, front
3rd row, back
