Filling Stitches

Filling stitches are decortive embroidery stitches used to fill in the spaces created in drawn work.

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SEEDING STITCH:  Take two small stitches side by side, or one small single stitch. Scatter over area to be filled, alone or combined with other stitches. DIAGONAL FILLING: Take stitches diagonally across area to be filled, in opposite directions. With contrasting color of thread, take short stitches across diagonal stitches where they cross, proceeding diagonally from top left to bottom right as shown. STAR FILLING: Work an upright cross, then a diagonal cross. They all are held together with a small cross worked over center of large crosses. May be used in combination with other stitches as filling. ROUMANIAN STITCH: May be used as a solid filing by making rows of stitches close together; or for borders or spot decorations. It is made in two steps. One long stitch is fastened in the center with a short couching stitch as shown in the diagrams to the left.

ORIENTAL STITCH: Since satin stitch is very popular in Oriental embroideries it is natural that one variation should bear that name. This stitch is used to cover a fairly large area. Long floating threads of satin stitch are first placed vertically over the area.  Another thread is then laid across them and held in place with short anchoring stitches spaced equally, as in couching. These anchoring stitches may match or contrast in color. The couched threads may also be laid across the background threads diagonally. TRELLIS AND CROSS: Take long stitches across area to be filled in, horizontally and vertically. Where stitches cross, work a small cross in same or contrasting color of thread. French knots are some- times worked in center of squares. ERMINE FILLING: Take an upright stitch. Bring up needle to right of upright, nearly at bottom; insert needle near top at left of upright. Bring needle out at left near bottom and insert at dot on right, near top. Use in rows, alternating spacing to fill area. FAGOT FILLING: Take four or five stitches close together across fabric. Tie the stitches together at middle with two small stitches through fabric and around stitches to make a bundle.

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