Learn how to do fern stitch! Ferns, the delicate variety of greenery that makes a bouquet of flowers soft and subtle, translates into a beautiful, delicate hand embroidery stitch. The Fern embroidery stitch is perfect for your embroidered garden design and can be used as a border for monograms and smaller designs.
Fern Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
This tutorial will show you how to do fern stitch as well as discuss what is fern stitch and what is it used for.
What is Fern Stitch?
Fern stitch is very easy to learn and include in your embroidery repertoire. The fern stitch pattern is basically three straight stitches carefully placed together and then repeated to create the delicate fronds of a fern.
In simple terms, each of the three straight stitches connects to the first stitch at a common point and then follows on in a pattern that looks like the three points of a star or a fern leaf.
What is Fern Stitch Used For?
Fern stitch is used for many purposes, including leaves, branches, coral, and even crazy quilts. Larger curved lines can look like tree branches. Smaller and tighter lines of fern stitch can look like leaf veins.
Further Reading: If you are just starting to embroider, here is an article on embroidery basics.
Fern Stitch Supplies
- NEEDLE - You will need a hand needle with an eye large enough to thread the embroidery floss. Crewel needles are designed for embroidery and have large elongated eyes.
- THREAD - Fern stitch looks best with some thickness, so use stranded embroidery floss. I usually use 6 strands for my samples.
- HOOP - Embroidery hoops hold your fabric taut and prevent the stitches from puckering. If you only have a small hoop, you can move it around.
Fern Stitch Video Tutorial
My basic stitches video includes the fern stitch. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly sewing and craft videos.
How to Do Fern Stitch, Step by Step Instructions
Preparation
Before you start, it is useful to mark 3 parallel lines in which to create your fern stitch. You can also mark the arrow pattern of the fern for perfectly even stitches. The stitch can be flowing like vines or straight.
Like many sewing techniques, there are several ways you can do the order of the stitches. This is the one I found the easiest, but as you start practicing, you may find it works better in another order. I'm right-handed, and so I generally embroider right to left.
Step 1 - Needle Up
- Knot or start your thread and bring the needle up from underneath in the center of your design. You will be starting one stitch back from the tip.
- This is point 1.
Step 2 - First Fern Stitch
- Stitch with a straight stitch to the tip of the fern at 2 and bring the needle out in line with the first stitch at 3.
Step 3 - Arrow Shape
- Stitch a straight stitch of the same size to the left and enter the fabric at point 4 (this is the same as point 2) then exit at point 5.
- Point 5 is directly underneath points 1 and 3.
- Now take your needle and thread and insert the needle at 6 (same point as 2 and 4) and come up at the same distance but in a new point of entry at 7.
- This is the start of a new fern stitch.
Step 4 - Repeat Fern Embroidery Pattern
The first part of the fern is complete, and you are ready to repeat the pattern to create new fern leaves.
Tips for Fern Embroidery
- Fern embroidery stitches can become a very creative part of your design. As you work your way down the stem of the fern, you can be free-spirited and make the stitches bigger to give the effect of the fern growing in your embroidery garden.
- Use fern stitches for a wreath effect, as it can twist and turn decoratively.
- Fern stitch could also find its way into the underwater world of fish and seascapes, as it looks like delicate seaweed.
Imagination and three simple stitches are all you need to enjoy the beauty of this stitch.
Fern Stitch - In Conclusion
Well, now you can create beautiful leaves with your fern stitch; you will need some flowers to go with them. Flowers can be simple or quite detailed. Read how to make the lazy daisy stitch, embroidery flowers and embroidery roses.
Tools
- Embroidery Needle
Materials
- Embroidery Floss
Instructions
- Stitch with a straight stitch to the tip of the fern at 2 and bring the needle out in line with the first stitch at 3.
- Stitch a straight stitch of the same size to the left and enter the fabric at point 4 (this is the same as point 2) then exit at point 5. Point 5 is directly underneath points 1 and 3.
- Now take your needle and thread and insert the needle at 6 (same point as 2 and 4) and come up at the same distance but in a new point of entry at 7.
- Repeat for new leaves.
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