• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TREASURIE
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Sewing
    • Techniques
    • How to Sew
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Face Mask
    • Fashion Types
    • Fabric Care
    • Fabric Types
    • Sewing Tools
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Tie Dye
    • Paper Crafts
    • Paper Mache
    • Cricut
    • Christmas
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Pattern Shop
  • Sewing
  • Sewing Projects
  • Crochet
  • Knitting
  • Crafts
×

Home » Sewing » Embroidery

Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - How to Sew a Faggoted Seam

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print

Faggoting stitch embroidery is a handed down style of stitching from the Victorian era.  Faggoting or fagotting or faggoting, (you can spell it 3 ways) took its name from bundles of sticks collected together. It is, in fact, a delicate way of joining pieces of fabric and was once extensively used for ladies’ lingerie.

faggoting stitch, how to do faggoting
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery

Contents

  • Faggoting Stitch
  • Preparation for Faggoting Stitch
    • Step 1 - Hem Edges
    • Step 2 - Backing Fabric
    • Helpful Tips
  • Twisted Faggoting Stitch
    • Step 1 - Exit Needle
    • Step 2 - Needle Up
    • Step 3 - Back Down
    • Step 4 - Repeat
    • Step 5 - Remove Backing
  • Faggoting Stitch - In Conclusion
  • MORE EMBROIDERY STITCHES

Faggoting Stitch

Faggoting stitch uses soft satins and linens with a delicate style of linking two pieces of fabric together at a hem level or to create a decorative seam. It is also a great way to add some interest to table napkins.

The stitch is simple, and the method merely requires a piece of paper or scrap fabric and some parallel lines to keep your work evenly spaced.

Faggoting Stitch Embroidery
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery

Preparation for Faggoting Stitch

If you are new to embroidery, read my article on how to embroider which will show you all the tricks and tips you need to get started as well as some simple tools and supplies.
For a faggoting stitch, it is usually done without an embroidery hoop. If you do use a hoop a larger size is easier.

Step 1 - Hem Edges

Start by hemming the edges of the two pieces of fabric you wish to join. This should be a narrow hem.

Step 2 - Backing Fabric

Once you have prepared your fabric with a narrow hem, tack the fabric to a piece of paper or scrap fabric following two parallel lines about ½ inch (12mm) apart. Using a different color can make your embroidery easier as the backing will be easy to identify.

I used some fabric scrap and I will refer to this as the backing.

Do not tack right next to the edge of the fabric because you will need a small margin of space to stitch the faggoting stitches between the gap.

Helpful Tips

  • It is worth marking insert points along the edge to guide your needle especially if you are a beginner at this stitch.
  • I marked every ¼ inch (6mm) for a medium-sized faggoting. You may want your intervals much smaller than this for fine work.
  • Remember you are not going to stitch through the backing as it is merely there to guide your stitches and will be removed at the end of stitching.
faggoting preparation of edges
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - Preparation

Twisted Faggoting Stitch

This is worked from right to left.

Step 1 - Exit Needle

Bring the needle up at point 1 which is about ⅛ inch (3mm) from the edge.

Step 2 - Needle Up

Insert the needle in a stabbing motion towards the gap at point 2. 

Make sure the needle passes over the top of the thread to create a twist. Notice this is offset from point 1 by about ¼ inch (6mm).

faggoting step 1
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - Steps 1 and 2

Here is how it looks when you have pulled the needle through. Notice the twist in the thread.

faggoting step 1

Step 3 - Back Down

Move left for another ¼” and insert the needle into the upper edge with a stab motion again.  Bring the needle out into the gap with the thread behind the needle.

faggoting step 2
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - Step 3

Here you can see steps 1 to 3 when the needle is pulled through. Notice the twisting between the edges of the fabric.

faggoting step 2
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - Step 3

Step 4 - Repeat

Continue in this way as you twist the thread and fill the gap with stitches only stabbing the edge of the fabric and not stitching into the backing.

faggoting step 4
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - Step 4

Step 5 - Remove Backing

:Remove your basting stitches from the backing.

faggoting step 4
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery - Step 5

All finished and looking delicate and open.

faggoting
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery

Faggoting Stitch - In Conclusion

Faggoting stitch is really a reminder of the days when Victorian ladies had the patience to sew their own undergarments.

A beautiful skill from the past and something to treasure if you apply the stitch to some fine table linen as you attempt to create vintage napkins for your next dinner party.

faggoting, how to do faggoting
Faggoting Stitch Embroidery

MORE EMBROIDERY STITCHES

  1. Backstitch
  2. Blanket Stitch
  3. Buttonhole Stitch
  4. Chain Stitch
  5. Chevron Stitch
  6. Couching Stitch
  7. Cross Stitch
  8. Double Herringbone Stitch
  9. How to Embroider
  10. Faggoting Embroidery
  11. Feather Stitch
  12. Fern Stitch
  13. Fishbone Stitch
  14. Fly Stitch
  15. French Knots
  16. Hand Embroidery Stitches
  17. Herringbone Stitch
  18. Lazy Daisy
  19. Running Stitch
  20. Sashiko Embroidery
  21. Satin Stitch
  22. Seed Stitch Embroidery (Rice Stitch)
  23. Stem Stitch
  24. Straight Stitch
  25. Web Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial
  26. Whip Stitch
4.8/5 - (38 votes)

More Embroidery

  • SMOCKING - How to Do Smocking (Easy Patterns)
  • Types of Stitches - 35 Best Stitches for Sewing
  • What is Embroidery & What to Do with Embroidery
  • Long and Short Stitch (Brick Stitch) - Easy Tutorial

Bestselling Sewing Patterns

  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern
  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Treasurie

    September 08, 2018 at 6:25 am

    Great idea for a tutorial. Added to my list 🙂 This is the best napkin to add it to. Just a plain napkin with folded edges. Thanks for reading.

  2. Abbey Button

    September 08, 2018 at 3:54 am

    This is really neat! I'd love to see some examples on napkins! Is there a tutorial anywhere for actually prepping fabric for napkins to do this?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Pattern Shop

Newsletter

loader

Popular

  • Face Mask Pattern 
  • How to Make Cushion Covers 
  • Burp Cloth Pattern – 3 Styles
  • How to Make a Scrunchie {2 sizes}
  • How to Make a Pillowcase
  • 6 Best Seam Finishes for Fabric
  • How to Gather
  • How to Make Curtains
  • How to Make a Quilt
  • How to Tie Dye
  • Sewing Machine Brands
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • How to Sew a Rip
  • How to Make Tassels
  • Types of Skirts
  • Sewing Projects for Beginners
  • Fabric Names

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy/Copyright
  • Sewing Pattern Shop
  • Printing Help
  • Disclaimers/Affiliate/Advertising
  • Site Map

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Popular

  • How to Sew
  • How to Embroider
  • How to Crochet
  • Fashion Styles
  • How to Macrame
  • How to Knit
  • How to Tie Dye

Copyright © 2022 Treasurie. All rights reserved.