Barb stitch
Barb stitch is one of the decorative variations of the Blanket stitch. It is a composite stitch made of 2 rows of the Blanket stitch and a whipping.
Applications of the Barb stitch
You can create various visual effects with this simple embroidery stitch. For example, play with multiple densities of the Blanket stitch, make the stitches of alternated lengths, or choose different thread colors for each stitch.
Use the Barb stitch for:
- Decorative borders
- Surface embroidery
- Crazy quilting
More stitches from the Blanket stitch family:
How to embroider Barb stitch
- Start with one row of the Blanket stitch.
- Add one more row of the Blanket stitch mirrored to the first one.
- Add a whipping stitch that will connect the two rows of the Blanket stitch. You can use the thread of the same color or the contracting color for whipping.
Video tutorial
For more visual guidance – watch this video tutorial where I demonstrate how to embroider a Barb stitch.
Drop cloth for practice
If you want to make the same drop cloth for practice, I used these materials:
- Cotton fabric.
- Bamboo hoop.
- Pearl cotton thread – blue and yellow.
- Embroidery needle No 5 and a blunt needle for whipping stitch.
What's next?
Looking for some other stitch? Head to this blog’s Stitches and Techniques part and choose the stitch you want to learn!
N.B. Some links may take you to the Easy To Make designs blog. This is my older hand embroidery blog. While I’m dedicating all of my energy to the Practical Embroidery blog, the previous version still has a lot of great content.