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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Video Tutorial: Vandyke Stitch

 

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Here’s another video tutorial for a hand embroidery stitch to add to your repertoire. The Vandyke Stitch creates a decorative band between two parallel lines. It’s a fairly easy stitch to work, so let’s see how it’s done…

The Vandyke stitch can be worked vertically or horizontally (I’m working it vertically in the video) between two parallel lines, and it can also be worked on gentle curves. The characteristic look of the stitch is long horizontal arms, with a raised chain-like stitch down the middle, on top of the bars. You can vary the look of the stitch by changing the length of the arms, or by increasing or decreasing the space between the side lines, even while working down the line.

Vandyke Stitch used in Hand Embroidery

Here’s the video:

For more hand embroidery stitch videos, visit my collection of how-to videos for hand embroidery, where you’ll find instruction for a bunch of other fun hand embroidery stitches!

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(9) Comments

  1. Hi Mary,

    Could the Vandyke stitch be used for the Celtic intials?

    Maybe as the filling stitch?

    Thanks again for the tutorial video.

    2
  2. Hi, Marian –

    I think it would be somewhat difficult to work the tighter curves with it, but … maybe… there’s also the question of the round ball / curly things on each of the letters. I’m not sure how they would be treated. It’s something that might be worth playing with, just to see….

    3
  3. Hi Mary,

    thanks for your input, I guess it is never a waste of time to try something new.

    I am getting to the end of my university paper and my exam is in 3 weeks and 2 days from now, so all my efforts are going into that, but when I attempt the Vandyke stitch in the Celtic letters, I’ll let you know the outcome.

    4
  4. Thank you so much Mary for these concise instructions. They have made making my 50 stitch challenge a wonderful experience.

    9
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