Indian Edging Stitch
Indian Edging stitch is a hand embroidery from the family of knots used for decorative borders and edges. To make this stitch, you will have to combine the elements of the Blanket Stitch with those of the Twisted Chain Stitch.
The visual appearance of the stitch will depend heavily on the thread you use. Pearl cotton will result in a more defined, textural look; metallic threads will create jewelry-like embellishments; while embroidery floss will create softer, less expressive shapes.
For my sampler, I used three strands of the green DMC embroidery floss.
Applications of the Indian Edging Stitch
The main purpose of the Indian Edging Stitch is for embroidering decorative edges and borders on garments. It looks great on collars, cuffs, and for decorating seams. For a more decorative effect, you can combine this technique with beads or sequins to create luxurious embellishments on garments.
Also, Indian Edging Stitch looks great as an individual decorative element – a triangular shape with a laced motive in the middle.
More stitches from the family of knots
Learn how to embroider Indian Edging Stitch
Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Indian Edging 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 Indian Edging Stitch
Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial
1. Mark the guiding lines to define the stitch size. Start with a simple horizontal straight stitch.
2. Get the needle back to the surface under the stitch you just made. Pull the thread through.
3. Push the needle down at the starting point, but leave the loop of the working thread open.
4. Get the needle back to the surface at the center of the shape you are creating, inside of the loop (blanket stitch method). Pull the thread to close the loop, creating a triangle on the left side of the shape.
5. Push the needle down at the bottom-right corner of the shape. Pull the thread to the back. This will form the second triangle.
6. Get the needle back to the surface, to the right of the stitch’s central line. Pull the thread to the surface.
7. Push the needle down on the left side of the central line. Leave the loop of the working thread open. We will make a twisted chain stitch with this loop.
8. Get the needle back to the surface at the top center position of the shape, inside the loop. Pull the thread through to tighten the twisted chain stitch we created.
9. Make a small anchoring stitch to finish the twisted chain stitch.
10. You can move from left to right and continue adding the stitches to embroider a decorative band of Indian Edging Stitch or make detached stitches.
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 basic embroidery stitches to complex and playful variations of classical techniques, a whole world of stitches is waiting for you to explore and master. So, grab your hoop and needle, and let’s stitch together!
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Need More Guidance?
The top 10 hand embroidery stitches to learn is a free online course created for beginners.
