How to Do Feather Stitch Embroidery (Best Beginner Tutorial)

Learn how to do a feather stitch with this simple step-by-step tutorial. Feather stitch is a decorative embroidery stitch made from alternating loops that create a soft, flowing pattern. It is perfect for borders, leaves, and organic designs.

What is Feather Stitch?

Feather stitch is an embroidery stitch formed by a series of connected loops worked along a central line. It creates an open, airy design that can be stitched straight or curved for decorative effects.

Improve your embroidery skills with my complete embroidery stitches guide.

Feather stitch is a type of chain stitch and is a simple, basic embroidery stitch. Useful for branches, twigs, vines, and underwater seaweed or coral, it can twist and turn gently into a picturesque work of art. You will also find a feather stitch on the seams of some quilts as a decorative stitch. Feather stitch looks like a row of connected V-shapes. It can be straight or curved and flowing. It is stitched along 4 lines, giving it a wide and open appearance.

How to Feather Stitch Embroidery (Step by Step)

The great thing about embroidery is that you need very few tools. It is easiest to sew a feather stitch in an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric tight and prevent puckering. Learn all about embroidery tools.

1. Mark the Guidelines

Feather stitch looks complicated until you realize it is just a series of offset v shapes. Draw 4 lines and the v shapes as below. Once you have practiced the stitch a few times and have the angle correct, you won’t need the guidelines and can switch to a more free-flowing version.

If you choose to draw four evenly spaced lines to work with, then the gaps between the lines will determine the size and length of the stitch. I always recommend using lines when learning this stitch. Switch to a more free-flowing version after you have practiced a few times.

Straight Feather Stitch Vs Curved Feather Stitch: For a straight feather stitch, draw 4 horizontal lines to follow. If you wish for a curved appearance, you can draw 4 parallel curved lines. Feather stitch is best suited to gentle curves as it can be hard to stitch tight curves.

2. Start the Feather Stitch Pattern

Thread your needle single and knot the end. Bring your needle up from the back of your fabric to the left bottom of your first marked row at (1). Note: we will be working this stitch left to right

💡How many strands of floss do you need for feather stitch? You can use all 6 strands for a thicker look or pull them apart to use fewer for a finer design. I usually use the 6 strands as I like a chunky look. The number of strands is up to you.

3. Form the First Triangle

The first line is the starting point and your thread loops across to the third line for the second point of the stitch at (2). See how (2) is directly in line above (1). Exit the needle at (3) which is on the second line and equal distance forwards from (1) and (2).

Loop the thread under the tip of the needle at (3).

Here is how it looks when the first stitch is pulled tight.

4. Continue Alternating

Continue to follow your design adding feathering on each side. The next loop of the stitch goes across to line four as you complete the second triangle.

Insert the needle at (4), exit at (5) making sure the thread is under the tip of the needle. Notice how (4) is directly about point (3).

5. Start the Next Feather Stitch

Go back to line one to create another triangle, the same as the first.

Here is a row of feather stitches. Now you have the hang of it, try again without the lines.

What is Feather Stitch Used For?

Feather stitch is commonly used for embroidery leaves, stems, branches, and coral where a flowing graceful look is desired. It can also be used for beautiful borders and edges on a quilt. Use it for crazy quilting!

Feather stitch can grace your design freely, or you can be pedantic about symmetry and draw four lines to work within, ensuring each stitch is exactly in the right place and has the right spacing. Use French knots on the ends of the feather stitch to look like the buds of small flowers.

If you use feather stitches as stems, you will need some flowers to go with them! You can create a whole garden scene. See my tutorials on:

• Embroidery Roses
• Embroidery Flowers

Feather Stitch FAQs

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Embroidery Feather Stitch – In Conclusion

Variations of feather stitch can come naturally as you change the length, size, and symmetry of the triangles. You can choose to only feather one side of the line, or you can freehand this stitch very easily. Feel as free as a bird and get creative with feather stitches!

Learn More Embroidery Stitches

Explore more stitches to expand your embroidery skills:

1. Backstitch by Hand
2. Blanket Stitch
3. Bullion Knots
4. Buttonhole Stitch
5. Chain Stitch
6. Chevron Stitch
7. Couching Embroidery Tutorial
8. Cross Stitch