Queen Stitch
Queen Stitch is a counted thread hand embroidery technique that comes from canvas work. Four straight stitches are couched in a particular manner to form a diamond-shaped figure. The stitch is mainly used in counted thread embroidery. Still, you can adapt it and use it in surface embroidery.
Other names of the Queen Stitch
This complex, counted-thread Queen Stitch (American) is also known as the Rococo (English) and Renaissance stitches.
Applications of the Queen Stitch
Single Queen Stitch creates a decorative diamond shape. Therefore, you can use single stitches to add decorative elements or create small fruits or berries in botanical embroidery.
Positioned in rows, Queen Stitch creates beautiful border designs. For non-counted embroidery, you can bend the lines or stitches to create rounded decorative borders.
Traditionally, in canvas work, Queen Stitch is a filling stitch. The surface filled with Rococo stitch will have a nice textural surface.
Other Couching stitches
- Couched Circle
- Underside Couching
- Jacobean Couching
Learn how to embroider Queen Stitch
Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Queen Stitch quickly. If you are a visual learner, watch a video lesson in the tutorial or Practical Embroidery YouTube channel to learn how to stitch this hand embroidery faster.
How to embroider Queen Stitch
Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial
- Mark the grid
I drew 1×1 cm squares.
- Start embroidering
Make a straight stitch from top to bottom in the center of the square.
- Make couching
Take the needle up at the mid-height of the square, 1/4 from the right edge.
- Add a horizontal couching stitch
- Second stitch
Make one more vertical stitch, using the same starting and finishing points.
- Add couching
Add a horizontal couching stitch to the left from the first one.
- Third stitch
Make the third stitch. It is positioned to the left from the center.
- Fourth stitch
The final straight stitch is couched on the left side of the square. This fills the square shape and forms a diamond shape of the Queen stitch.
- Creating borders
To create decorative borders, position the line of Rococo stitches on one row of the squares.
- Semi-covering filling
Place the rows of Queen stitch one under the other. This will create a half-covered chess pattern of stitches. Keep in mind that you can embroider Renaissance Stitch in any direction. Left to right or right to left is the equally proper way of embroidery.
- Fully covering filling
Start with a row of stitches. Then, add a second row, but this time, it is offset. The starting point of the second row is the point of intersection of the horizontal couching stitches of the two stitches from the first row.
Video tutorial
Tools and materials I used for this sampler
Disclaimer. To cover the cost of creating free embroidery patterns and video tutorials for this blog, I do sometimes link to products. Please assume these links are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through my links then THANK YOU – it will make it possible for me to keep doing this.
What’s next?
If you’re in the mood to explore more hand embroidery stitches, check out the Stitches and Techniques page for the list of other fantastic stitches available on my blog. From timeless classics to modern twists, a whole world of stitches is waiting for you to explore and master. So, grab your hoop and needle, and let’s stitch our way to creative bliss!
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Need More Guidance?
The top 10 hand embroidery stitches to learn is a free online course created for beginners.
