Learn how to do Feather Stitch embroidery

Feather stitch is a beautiful and versatile basic embroidery stitch that adds a touch of elegance to any project.

This looped stitch creates a neat and regular appearance when worked on evenweave fabric, making it perfect for borders or decorative seam treatments.

Alternatively, when stitched on a tightly woven fabric, it can mimic the delicate and organic look of branches, twigs, vines, or even seaweed and coral.

In the written tutorial and videos below, you will learn how to create feather stitch and explore different variations of this hand embroidery stitch.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, this stitch is relatively easy to master and offers endless possibilities for creativity.

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Simple feather stitch motifs

Tree motif worked in feather, chain and straight stitch

I stitched this tree on a crazy quilt block. Feather stitch is often used on these quilts to decorate the seams between patches, but on this occasion I chose to decorate the patch itself.

Beginning with chain stitch for the heavier lines, to give structure to the tree shape, I then worked the meandering feather stitches between the branches, starting from the tips and working towards the trunk.

Overlapping rows of Feather stitch

In the next photograph I worked the brown feather stitch first, and then overlapped this with the white stitching.  

I didn't transfer a drawing on to the fabric. I just let the stitches wander wherever they wished to go, varying the size of my stitches as desired.

I used six-stranded embroidery floss for both these examples. 

When you're learning this stitch, I highly recommend using evenweave or Aida fabric in an embroidery hoop.

Why, you ask?

Well, let me explain. By using a hoop, you can count the fabric threads and make sure your stitches are placed just right. It's like having a little guide to help you along the way. Plus, it's much easier to keep your tension even, which is super important for achieving that perfect finished look.

I chose to work over 4 fabric threads for my sample below the video, but you can adjust it to fit whatever size you need.

 

Video: Feather Stitch Tutorial

I don't know about you, but I often find it easier to watch a stitch being worked rather than trying to follow a written description. I worked the following video in a hoop, but this time on a plain weave cotton.

You can follow along by clicking the transcript button, below.

Step 1

Step 1 in working single feather stitch

Bring your needle to the surface where you wish to start your feather stitch. Count four fabric threads to the right and reinsert the needle. 

Pull the needle through, but not all the way.  Leave a loop of thread below your work. Push the needle back up inside the thread loop, two threads to the left and four down. 

Now pull the thread right through, slowly, until the stitch sits comfortably on the surface. 

Step 2

Step 2 in working single feather stitch

You will have a V-shaped curve with the thread emerging from the centre bottom. 

Bring the needle back up four fabric threads to the right of the hole the thread is exiting from, and repeat. 

Step 3

Step 3 in working single feather stitch

Now work a stitch in a similar manner, but position it four fabric threads to the LEFT of the previous stitch. 

Step 4

Step 4 in working single feather stitch

Alternate the position of your stitches as you continue along the row, working one on the right and the next on the left.

The finished row of feather stitch

Row of single feather stitch worked on evenweave

For the photograph of my completed row of feather stitch above, I have turned the work so it travels from left to right. You can actually work your stitches from top to bottom or left to right, whichever feels most comfortable to you.

Single feather on evenweave

The row above is worked in the same manner, but I worked on a 6 across and 3 down basis to create a wider, but shallower, effect. 

feather stitch with straight stitches and french knots

The base seam that I stitched in the video, ended up with a green embroidery floss (2 strands) threaded twice through each "arm", green straight stitch twigs and pink french knot roses. 

Video: Double Feather Stitch

You can follow along by clicking the transcript button, below.

To make it easier to understand, in the video above I used a checked fabric. However, there is no need to be this exact in lining up your stitches when working on your own projects. 

Using Different Threads and Fibres

double feather stitch samples

The photograph shows the stitch worked at different scales. The chunkier sample uses Splendor Frosty Rays, which is a sparkly ribbon. Whereas the thread used from the finer sample was Spendor Strandable 12-ply silk.  

Straight-Sided Feather Stitch

Straight sided feather stitch step 1

In this variation when you bring your needle up inside the loop of thread you move it across so that it is vertically below the previous stitch instead of centered underneath it.

This gives it the characteristic straight sides.

Then, as in the original stitch, you change to working on the other side, again vertically. 

Straight sided feather stitch step 2

Straight sided feather is then the basis for the next variation.

For this example I used a Perle thread made by Rubi. which was lovely and soft but firm, on 28 count evenweave fabric once again.

 

 

Crossed Feather Stitch

After completing your row of straight sided feather, you can then work a second layer over the top, filling in the gaps. This creates a plaited effect. 

You can choose whether to use the same thread/colour or to use a contrasting one.

The stitch method is exactly the same as the straight sided variation. 

Either of these make a decorative seam treatment for a crazy quilt block or a border in a counted design.

crossed-feather-01.jpg
crossed feather stitch 2nd layer

Combining Feather With Other Stitches

Embellished single feather stitch

You can take things further by embellishing feather stitch with other stitches as shown on the green and pink project (from left to right)

  • detached chain stitches tucked alongside the main "stem"
  • detached chain stitch again but at the end of each "point"
  • French knots, either singly or massed together
  • three straight stitches grouped together to form tiny flowers

Have fun, and experiment to see what effects you can get. You never know, soon feather stitch might become one of your favourites! 


What have you used this stitch for?

If you've tried this stitch and would like it featured on the page to give other stitchers ideas, feel free to submit pictures and your story to the site. You could tell us about the project you were creating, what threads and colours you chose and why, whether you found it easy to do, or had difficulties learning the stitch.

If the same issue crops up multiple times I will attempt to help you overcome the problem.

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