The Basque stitch is a hand embroidery stitch perfect for working lines, curves, flowers, and borders.
You can think of the Basque stitch as a combination of twisted chain stitch and buttonhole stitch, upside down.
In the photo above, you can see two lines of Basque stitch worked opposite each other. This is a great little stitch, with its pendant-like twisted chains hanging from the top connecting line. You can do a lot with it. You can work it in circles, for flower shapes, you can use it as a border stitch, you can use it in crewel work to outline larger stems and branches, you can use it as a seam treatment in crazy quilting and dress it up with a bunch of embellishment. Lots of possibilities for this stitch!
In the video, I’m working on a 38 count linen, but Basque stitch works well on any fabric, whether plain weave or even weave. I’m using perle cotton #5, but the stitch works well with any thread, too.
Here’s the video for the Basque stitch:
If you’re looking for instructions for specific embroidery stitches, feel free to check out the rest of my hand embroidery stitch videos here on Needle ‘n Thread!
Enjoy!
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I LOVE this stitch!! It’s so pretty and more simple than it looks!
G’day there Mary, that is darling. Sweet! Simple and pleasant to do.
Thanks and Cheers, Kath
Thank you for these videos, Mary. This is such a pretty stitch.
Very nice 🙂 With you we learn something new every day! thank you
As much as I enjoy the videos, please don’t stop publishing pic-by-pic articles on how to make the different stitches. I print them out & refer to them when making new stitches. It’s not always easy to watch a video as you test stitches. Thanks for such a wonderful reference site for us.
Hi Mary,
I have been following your blog for some time now. I have tried out the Basque stitch on a saree, and have posted pictures on my blog crafti-musings.blogspot.com. I have also added a link to your tutorial for my blog readers.
I wish to share it with your readers too, so please check out the pictures for applications of the basque stitch on a saree..
Gasp! So cool!
Mary,
Thank you for all you do. This stitch is wonderful and your video perfect.
Much appreciation,
Melanie
Thank you so much, Mary. I am just starting embroidery and have not got a natural flair for it, but I find your videos really helpful and clear. Keep up the good work!
All the best,
Mary Devally