Connected Fly Stitch

Connected Fly Stitch is one of the variations of the Fly Stitch from the Fly Stitch family. To embroider this decorative motive, we position Y stitches one under another with their tails touching. The other option is to position the Y stitches horizontally with their hands touching.

Other names of the stitch

Other names for this hand embroidery technique are the Y-Stitch or the Open Loop stitch.

Connected Fly stitch embroidery with blue pearl cotton — Front side of Connected Fly stitch embroidery

Connected Fly stitch embroidery with blue pearl cotton Rear side — Rear side of the sampler

Applications of the Connected Fly Stitch

Unlike the Closed Fly Stitch, the Connected version does not cover the fabric’s surface but decorates it with a repetitive pattern, visually similar to the Fern Stitch.

The Connected Fly Stitch hand embroidery technique creates a decorative row of stitches. You can use it to adorn the borders or to make decorative outlines. This embroidery stitch is also often used in botanical embroidery.

This embroidery stitch can adapt to light curves and make outstanding sharp angles. Therefore, you can use it to decorate various shapes and forms.

More stitches from the Fly Stitch family

Learn how to embroider Connected Fly Stitch

Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Connected Fly Stitch quickly. If you are a visual learner, watch a video lesson in the tutorial or on the Practical Embroidery YouTube channel to learn this hand embroidery stitch faster.

How to embroider Connected Fly Stitch

Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial

Instructions

1. Mark the line where you want to position your Connected Fly Stitches.

2. Take the needle with a thread to the surface of the fabric and pull all the thread up. Make a straight stitch. Do not pull the thread entirely, but leave a loop open.

3. Bring the needle up inside the loop between the ends of the stitch.

4. Make a long anchoring stitch and create a Y stitch.

5. Now, make a second Y stitch just below the first one. The legs of the first and second stitches are touching and creating a straight line.

6. Continue adding the Y stitches one under another until your border is finished.

7. To make a row of horizontally Connected Fly Stitches, position the second Y stitch so its left hand touches the first stitch’s right hand.

8. Keep adding stitches in a horizontal position until your border is finished.

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.

Embroidery fabric cotton linen neutral colors Etsy — Embroidery fabric

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!