If you’re ever stuck wondering just what stitch to use to fill a leaf and you start browsing through a stitch dictionary for a little help, you’ll find out that there’s a regular glut of filling stitches that work well for leaves. But there are two stitches in particular that I think make really nice leaves: the fishbone stitch and the raised fishbone stitch. If you have trouble creating a nice looking satin stitched leaf, never fear! The fishbone stitch and the raised fishbone stitch will come to your rescue. They both create a satin-stitch-like filling, but because the stitches overlap in the center of the leaf, you get a nice, subtle spine right down the middle of the stitch.
Today, I’ll show you how to create a raised fishbone stitch leaf.
Incidentally, the different between the fishbone stitch and the raised fishbone stitch is more than just the fact that the raised version sits higher on the fabric. It’s also created a little differently – it is stitched practically backwards, when compared to the movement of the regular fishbone stitch.
But you can see in the photo above that the raised fishbone stitch creates a nice, plump leaf that’s quite pretty!
I hope you enjoy the video! I think I sound a bit weird in it, but not weird enough to record it over again…
If you received this article via e-mail newsletter, you’ll need to visit Needle ‘n Thread to see the video for the raised fishbone stitch.
If you’re looking for other embroidery stitches, please feel free to check out the rest of my embroidery how-to videos!
Great video – you’re right, that’s definitely not your usual voice(!), but it’s all perfectly audible so definitely not worth re-recording.
What a great stitch! I had not seen this one before. These videos are such a help, Mary!
Funnily enough I was stitching leaves last night using this stitch!
Sounded just fine to me Mary. I love this stitch and use it often. Your video is nice and clear. Thanks.
Perfect timing! I have a crewel project that has several leaves. I look forward to trying this technique. I’ll be working on it on the long ride home from Maine to Florida so I’ll have plenty of time to perfect it!
Thank you!! Kim
It was mostly my Hungarian grandmother that got me embroidering early on. One of the pieces in her workbasket was a beautiful Christmas table runner loaded with poinsettias. This was the stitch she used for both the leaves and flowers (as my 4-yr.-old brain saw it) — so I always called this the “poinsettia stitch” and have used to SO much through the years (which are considerable!). I changed the name (when describing to it others) to “self-padded leaf stitch.” Now I know what it is!!! Raised Fishbone! (By the way, I use it for my little whitework leaves with floche and/or coton broder.)
i am very happy for this site as i am able to learn lot of stitches to embroider neatly.the videos are very good & easy to understand how to do the stitch.very much thankful to you.
That is on my to learn list. I think it looks so pretty. Thank you for the video!
hola Mary ,,quiero darte las gracias por tus valiosos aportes,,,aqui es muy dificil adquirir,,un libro ese llamado de la A-Z
pero en tus documentos encuentro muchos detalles.importantes
infinitas gracias
lidia ,,,
chile
Can’t wait to try this!
Hi Mary:
I have stumbled around trying to make my Ghiordes (sp??) knots fluffier (Ah-Ha! Six strands of DMC!!),as well as making the actual knots. I didn’t know it was also called Turkey Work.
Thank you for making a video for it!
Carolyn in SoCal.
Hi, Mary,
thank you.I liked the raised fishbone stich.
I have just had a play with this, love Love LOVE it. Thanks!
Hi Mary, Thanks for the video. I have done the flat version of this stitch before, but it will be great to add some height in my future projects.
Sandy
Rank beginner’s question: how do you get the variegated leaf effect, balanced so perfectly?
Hi, Jusa – it’s just the nature of that variegated thread. I didn’t do anything special with it!
MC
Hi Mary,
I found your website this week and I´ve done almoust all these tutorials. You´re a born teacher. I don´t understand everything what you say or write, but I watch videos. Thank you very much!!
You have done very beautiful and stunning embroidery projects. Really, they are so amazing.
great video. now i can do it easily without any doubt. thank you.
muy buenas clases de bordado, gracias son excelentes los videos, realmente estoy aprendiendo mucho, Thank you
super et merci