01 January 2010

fly/twisted fly stitch

Today we're talking about fly stitch, which is very similar to feather stitch except that it's done as a single stitch rather than a series of connecting ones. It can be worked in a "V" shape or a "Y" shape by varying the length of the anchoring stitch at the final step. I'll also show you a variation called twisted fly stitch where the final anchoring stitch is twisted through the loop.

Begin by bringing your thread to the front.

fly_1

Take the needle to the back about 1/4" to the right and parallel to where the thread emerges. Loop your thread under the tip of the needle and bring the needle up again midway between the two and about 1/4" below.

fly_2

Hold the loop in place with your left thumb and pull the needle through until the looped thread lies snugly against the emerging thread.

fly_3

Take your thread to the back to anchor the loop. A short stitch here will make a "V"; a longer one will make a "Y".

fly_5

For the twisted variation, start the same way but keep the looped thread above the needle.

fly_6

Gently begin to pull the thread through. Stop when the loop reaches slightly below the emerging thread.

Take the needle up and over, then through the loop and begin to pull the thread through.

fly_7

Continue pulling gently until it lies flat on the fabric (the center will twist). Anchor the stitch as you did above, making it whatever length you like.

fly_8

The completed stitch:

fly_9

1 comment:

M'lady said...

Wanted to say thanks for the clear steps on your blog. I didn't know how to do any decorative stitches except chain stitch before
http://stitchintimeandspace.blogspot.com/2011/11/crazy-patchwork.html