Tacked Herringbone Stitch
The Tacked Herringbone Stitch is a decorative variation of the basic Herringbone Stitch. To create this stitch, we first embroider the line of the Herringbone stitch base and then add couching stitches where the legs of the stitch cross. There are various options for adding couching stitches—vertical, horizontal, or even crossed couching stitches can be applied to decorate the band.
Other names of the stitch
Couched Herringbone stitch and Tacked Herringbone stitch are the same stitch, and you can use these names interchangeably.
Applications of the Tacked Herringbone Stitch
This hand embroidery technique creates a decorative band that you can use to embellish clothes or household textiles, make lacey borders or outlines, and create filling. Rows of Couched Herringbone stitches will create a gorgeous lacey filling for extensive areas.
More stitches from Stitch family
- Laced Herringbone Stitch
- Closed Herringbone Stitch
- Two-Layer Herringbone Stitch
Learn how to embroider Tacked Herringbone Stitch
Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Tacked Herringbone 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 Tacked Herringbone Stitch
Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial
Instructions
1. Mark two parallel lines for the row of Herringbone stitches. Make the first diagonal stitch.
2. Make a short stitch back and add one more diagonal stitch that crosses the first one. You will find a detailed step-by-step embroidery guide on the Herringbone Stitch page.
3. When a row of Herringbone stitches is done, take the needle to the back side and secure the thread.
4. Change the color of the thread. To make vertical couching stitches, come up just below the intersection of the legs of the Herringbone stitch and go down just above the intersection.
5. Add a couching stitch on each intersection and secure the thread on the back.
6. To make horizontal couching stitches, come up on the left of the first intersection and make a small stitch – go down on the right of the intersection. Repeat till all the intersections are couched.
7. To make crossed couching, first create a vertical couching stitch.
8. Then – add a horizontal stitch.
9. Repeat till all the intersections are couched.
Tacked Herringbone Stitch 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!
Don’t miss a thing!
Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Or why not subscribe to Practical Embroidery newsletter and get embroidery tips straight to your inbox every few weeks?
Need More Guidance?
The top 10 hand embroidery stitches to learn is a free online course created for beginners.
