The up and down buttonhole stitch is a perfect edge or border stitch for garments and linens. It is a variation of the basic buttonhole stitch or blanket stitch. The two stitches form a scallop-like edge with a little knot that forms at the base of the stitch. It is also known as the mirrored embroidery stitch, the mirrored blanket stitch or the mirrored buttonhole stitch.

This stitch is great on all types of fabrics. Select an appropriate thread and needle for the fabric. You can use six-strand embroidery floss with all six-strands for a light weight or loosely woven fabric. Or use two-strands with finer fabrics. I’ve used size 8 perle cotton for the sampler.

This stitch is worked left to right along a line. The line can be straight as I’ve done in the sampler, or curved – even in a circle! Vary the length of the legs of the stitch for different looks.

One (1) embroidery sampler

How to Embroider the Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Learn how to stitch the up and down embroidery stitch with our step-by-step tutorial.

Materials

Fabric for embroidery
Embroidery thread or floss

Tools

Embroidery hoop
Embroidery scissors
Embroidery needle suitable for the thread or floss selected

Instructions

Hoop your fabric. I like to use an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut while you are stitching. This helps keep your stitches with the right tension.
Mark two (2) lines on your fabric. These lines will be the top and bottom of your stitching line. Use a removeable fabric marker. I like to use a Frixion pen. A Frixion pen removes with heat. NOTE: Always test your marker on a scrap of fabric before beginning your stitching project.
Start by bringing your needle up at the beginning of your line. Bring your needle to the top line and stitch down to the bottom line, wrapping your thread around the needle point.
Next, take your needle down through the fabric near where you just pulled the needle up on the bottom line. Wrap your thread around the needle point.
Pull your needle through, knotting the thread at the base of the bottom line.
Do this same process over again for the next stitch. Take your needle down from the top line to the bottom line, bringing your thread around the needle point.
Turn the needle around and bring it up from the bottom line to the top line, wrapping your thread around the needle point.
Pull your needle through, forming a knot at the bottom line.
Continue stitching in this manner for the length of your line.
Remove your marked lines. Your stitching is complete!

Notes

TIP: Use an embroidery hoop to keep your stitch tension while you are stitching.

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NOTE: Always test your marking tools on a scrap of fabric. You don't want to do all of the work and then find out the markings are permanent.

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Ways to use the Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch

Make your own napkins and finish the edges with this beautiful embroidery stitch. The up and down buttonhole stitch will naturally scallop the edges.
RELATED: How to make fabric napkins

This is a perfect stitch for a crazy quilt! Stitch it along a seamline on your crazy quilt piecing for a hand-quilted crazy quilt.
RELATED: How to crazy quilt – both by machine and by hand

Use this as a decorative border stitch on a garment. Upcycle a shirt by stitching the up and down buttonhole stitch around the collar and down the front button band – sew cute!

This stitch is great for hand appliqué. Cut out a shape to appliqué to a garment, pillow or wall hanging and stitch away!

Tips for success:

I like to use a hoop to keep my tension even on my stitching so the loops stay flat.

Mark the lines so that your stitch height is consistent.

Try different embroidery threads for variation – from perle cottons in different weights, to using six-strand embroidery floss and trying the full six-strands, or only one strand! There are so many specialty embroidery threads to try, too. Like velvet, silk, and variegated threads.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the up and down buttonhole stitch?
Up & down buttonhole creates a scalloped-looking line of buttonhole stitches, with two stitches tied together and secured with a loop.

Is the up and down buttonhole stitch beginner-friendly?
Yes! If you have mastered the buttonhole stitch, this is an easy variation and is perfect for beginners.

What thread works best for this stitch?
It depends on the fabric you are stitching. Embroidery floss, perle cottons, and wool threads would work on most fabrics. If you have an open-weave fabric, like a loose linen, specialty threads like silk and velvet would be fun to use.