The Closed Feather stitch is a variation of the Straight Feather Stitch and is a great decorative stitch for both curved and straight lines. This stitch gives the feather stitch a ladder-like look, closing the V’s of a straight feather stitch. It can be stitched close together and narrow, or wide and ladder like.
Often used in crazy quilting, this is a quick stitch that adds great texture to embroidery projects. It is also used for applique and as a decorative stitch with embellishments. Dress it up a bit, add a French knot in each V, or add a bead to each stitch.
How to Embroider the Closed Feather Stitch
Learn how to stitch the closed feather embroidery stitch with this step-by-step tutorial with photos. Use this stitch as an embellishment for garments or home dec projects, or use this stitch for appliqué.
Materials
- Fabric for embroidery
- Embroidery floss or thread; I used #8 Pearle cotton for this sampler
Tools
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery needle suitable for the thread selected
- Embroidery scissors
- Removable fabric marker; I used a Frixion pen
Instructions
- Start by marking your fabric with two lines for the top and bottom of this stitch. I used a Frixion pen. NOTE: Make sure to test your removable fabric marker on a scrap of the fabric you will be using before you start!
I like to use an embroidery hoop for hand embroidery. It helps keep your fabric taut which keeps your stitch tension more even.
- I tend to work this stitch either from left to right or from top down. Either way works well. Bring your needle up at A, down at B and up at C, looping your thread under the tip of the needle to form the loop.
- Next, bring your needle down at A and up at D, again looping your thread under the tip of the needle to form a loop.
- Then, go to the other side of the stitch and make another stitch, going in at C and up at E making a loop with your needle and thread.
- Then, back to the other side, down at D and up at F, looping your thread. You can see the stitch is coming to life!
- Continue back and forth making stitches and looping your thread, forming sets of interlocking triangles to make the closed feather stitch.
- At the end of your design line, take your needle to the back of your work at the end of the triangle and tie off on the back of the work.
- Here is the finished closed feather stitch.
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How is the Closed Feather Stitch different than the Double Chain Stitch?
They are very close, but different. With the Closed Feather Stitch, you bring your needle just outside the previous stitch to make the next loop, with the Double Chain Stitch, you bring your needle up inside the previous loop. They look very similar as finished stitches, but there is that slight difference.
Here is another step out of photos working the stitch vertically, left to right. Working in parallel lines, come up at A. Insert your needle at B and back up through your fabric at C, looping the thread behind the needle at C.
Insert your needle back at A (now D) and bring it back up at E. The goal is to have the top of the stitch center over the line D-E.
Pull the thread and the bottom of the triangle to form the stitch. Insert the needle at F and bring it back up at G to form the next stitch.
Continue to go back and forth between the lines, bringing the needle up, taking a stitch and catching the thread to form a triangle.
Here is the final closed feather stitch sample:
Here is another sample I did in a circle using variegated thread. This shows how to stitch the line on a curve.
Start the stitch by bringing your needle up on the outside line, and then take a backstitch the length of your feather from the other side and bring your needle up over the thread.
Then, go to the outside line and make a back stitch that begins at the last stitch on that line, and make a stitch the length of your feather, making sure the thread stays under your needle.
Keep doing this on your lines to form closed feather stitches. This stitch goes very quickly and is easy.
Here is another angle of doing the closed feather stitch.
I’m on a roll! Love this variegated thread!
The final 4″ sample of the closed feather embroidery stitch!
Check out all of the embroidery tutorials on Create Whimsy!
