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With its unique zig zag pattern, Chevron Stitch makes beautiful borders and outlines. It can also be used as a filler stitch for a variety of shapes. Comprised of diagonal lines capped on the top and bottom by small horizontal lines, this stitch is simple to learn and even easier to incorporate into your embroidery projects. This step-by-step tutorial covers the basic stitch along with multiple variations.

Chevron Stitch Step-by-Step

Start your row of chevron stitch by marking two parallel lines. There is no set rule regarding the distance between the lines, but when practicing, I suggest no more than 1/2″ apart.

Once you have the guidelines drawn, begin by making a single straight stitch from point A to B. Before pulling the thread all the way through, bring the needle back up in the middle of the stitch (Point C). Make sure the thread is below the line, then complete the stitch.

Next, make a diagonal stitch from point C to point D.

Repeat the first stitch at the top by making a straight stitch from Point E to F.

Once again, before you pull the thread all the way through, bring the needle back up and out through Point D. This time, keep the thread on top of the line before completing the stitch.

Make another diagonal stitch from Point D to the bottom line.

From here, it’s a matter of repeating the steps and continuing to stitch until the end of your line. Make a straight stitch along the bottom line, bring the needle back out through the point where you ended the last diagonal stitch, make another diagonal stitch up to the top line, and then make another straight stitch at the top.

Keep in mind that you want the spaces between the horizontal stitches to roughly equal the length of the horizontal stitches. You can mark out the length of each horizontal stitch to use a guide, but I think you will find that after some practice it’s not too difficult to estimate the length of the stitches.

Chevron Stitch Variations

There are numerous variations for the basic straight line chevron stitch. It can be stitched on a curve…

Used as a filler for an uniform shape…

Or used as a filler for a non-uniform shape….

All of the above variations are stitched following the same steps as those listed for the basic straight line version. For curves and non-uniform shapes, remember to keep the distance between the horizontal lines uniform and use that as a guide to dictate the placement of the vertical lines.

Double Chevron Stitch

Double chevron is perhaps my favorite of all the chevron stitch variations. The method for double chevron is simple. First, stitch a row of plain chevron stitch. Next, stitch a second layer of chevron using a different color thread. Fill in the spaces left by the first row of stitches with the second row.

In the example below, I started the second row (yellow thread) with a small horizontal line on the top and then made a diagonal stitch to the bottom. The bottom horizontal line fills in the space left between the gray lines.

You can stitch the second row on the top of the first, or you can weave the second layer under the first. My example shows the top layer woven under the bottom on the upward diagonal lines only.

Chevron Stitch Embroidery Pattern

Want to try out chevron stitch in an embroidery pattern? The Chevron Dragonfly Pattern utilizes the stitch to create a beautifully decorated dragonfly atop a blooming flower.

Happy Stitching!

Ray stitch is one of those simple stitches that creates amazing results. Also known as Fan Stitch, it is made with a series of straight stitches that start on the outer points and end at a single middle point.

Ray stitch can be stitched free-hand after a bit of practice, or by drawing a simple triangle with a line in the center to use a guide. If you choose to draw a guide, be sure to use a water-soluble pen as the lines will not be covered by the thread.

Start the first stitch at the bottom of the line. Come up at point A, move the needle up to point B, and re-insert through the fabric. This is the tail of the ray.

Start the second stitch at the top of the triangle (point c) and bring it down to point B. Re-insert the needle in the same spot where the first stitch ended.

The third and fourth stitches both start below point C and on the line of the triangle. You will notice that point D and E are parrallel to each other. Both stitches end at point B.

The final two stitches follow the same pattern. Point F and G are below the previous two stitches and parallel to each other. Again, these stitches end at point B.

And that’s it! There are many ways to alter ray stitch, but the basic stitch contains five points that start on the outer edge and end at a common point in the middle. Some simple ways to vary the stitch are by shortening or lengthening the tail at the bottom, making the tail the same length as the tallest ray, or spacing the rays wider apart.

You can also omit the tail altogether.

Ray Stitch in Embroidery Patterns

Ray stitch has many uses in embroidery. Stitched on a close line, it makes an interesting border, arranged in a circle, it makes a fantastic liner shape, and spaced out along a line of stitching, it creates an instant tropical plant stalk as seen in the Wildflower Bouquet Pattern.

Happy Stitching!

Oyster Stitch is a detached type of chain stitch that creates a compact, oval shape filled with twisted threads. This is one of those deceiving stitches that looks complicated but is actually quite simple to master. It is commonly used to make small leaves or flower petals, or strung together to create interesting borders.

Oyster Stitch Step-By-Step

Oyster stitch is a member of the chain stitch family and while it can be helpful to have basic knowledge of chain and twisted chain stitch, it’s not necessary to learn this stitch.
Chain Stitch Tutorial
Twisted Chain Stitch Tutorial

Start by drawing a short line to use a guide. We’re going to be working from top to bottom. Bring the thread up and out at the top of the line (point A). Re-insert the needle just to the left (point B) and then bring it out one stitch length away on the line (point C).

Wrap the thread around and under the needle.

Pull the needle all the way through to create a twisted loop.

Next, take the needle through the right leg of the twisted loop without going through the fabric. Gently pull the thread so it wraps around the right side of the twisted loop. I find it helpful to put one finger on the bottom of the loop to prevent it from pulling too tight.

Next, we’re going to wrap the thread around the twisted knot that you just created. Start by inserting the needle next to the right leg of the first loop (point A) and coming back out at the bottom of the loop (point B).

Wrap the thread around and under the needle, pull the needle through, and anchor it with a small stitch at the bottom.

Oyster Stitch in Embroidery

Oyster stitch can be used in a variety of applications: on its own to make cute little textured leaves, stitched in a circle to make flower petals, or arranged in a line to make an interesting border.

Rope stitch creates a thick twisted line that resembles a rope or cord. It is commonly used for borders, curved outlines, or to stitch stems and thin leaves. A member of the chain stitch family, rope stitch is formed by working twisted chain stitch close together along a line. If you are already familiar with twisted chain stitch, great! If not, follow along below and you will soon be stitching like a pro.

Rope Stitch Step-By-Step Instructions

Rope stitch is worked from right to left or bottom to top. Start by drawing a straight or gently curved line to work from. Bring the needle up at the beginning of the line (Point A). Pull it all the way through and then re-insert to the left of the line (Point B). Bring the needle back out on the line one stitch length away (Point C) without pulling the thread all the way through.

Wrap the working thread around the needle in a clockwise direction and pull the needle through. You now have a single twisted chain.

This is the point where the instructions differ from twisted chain stitch. Instead of starting the second stitch at the top of the twist, we are going to start it at the bottom, to the left and just a little bit above point B. Insert the needle here (Point D) and then bring it out one stitch length away on the line (Point E).

Loop the thread around the needle, pull it through, and admire your work. Continue stitching in this manner until you reach the end of the desired length. To end the stitch, make the final stitch shorter than all the rest, and then insert the needle over the top of the last loop to anchor it in place.

Curves & Thread Choice

Rope Stitch handles curves beautifully, with the exception of tight curves that are better left to other stitches. (Both stem and outline stitch work well for tight curves while achieving a similar twisted rope look). When stitching around curves, the stitches will get longer on the curve and shorter at the end of the curve.

The type of thread you use for rope stitch will greatly impact the final result. For the example above I used three strands of DMC cotton floss which produces a medium weight rope. The more strands you use, the thicker the rope will be. For an even more dramatic rope stitch, try using Perle cotton floss.

Rope Stitch Foliage

While rope stitch is an excellent choice for borders and outlines, it can also be used to create leaves. Let’s learn how! Start by drawing a slightly curved line and stitching over it with rope stitch. For this example, I am using 3 strands of DMC floss for the stem.

Next, draw some thin leaves staggered along the stem.

Using all 6 strands of DMC cotton floss, begin filling in the leaves. Use the same method as outlined above, but instead of starting the stitch to the left of the line and ending it on the line (see photo 1), you will start the stitch on the left line (point A) and end it on the right line (point B).

As you work your way up the leaf, the stitch length will increase at the widest point of the leaf and decrease as you reach the top of the leaf. Keep the stitches as close together as possible to achieve a fully filled leaf made up of slanted stitches.

Repeat for the rest of the leaves. You now have a leaf spray stitched entirely with rope stitch!

Using Rope Stitch in Embroidery Patterns

Below are a few Wandering Threads embroidery patterns that utilize rope stitch in various ways.

Yosemite National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Happy Stitching!