Surrey Stitch

About the Surrey Stitch

This stitch, you can see if you pay attention to the technique, can be worked perfectly over even weave fabric. The Surrey Stitch is used in Berlin Wool Work, a form of wool on canvas embroidery that was popular in the 1800’s. Initially, the Berlin patterns were flat, but around the mid 1800’s the patterns started to become more realistic and dimensional with the use of padding and plush trimmed stitch, which of course, was acheived by the Surrey Stitch. In surface embroidery, this stitch can be used wonderfully on the edges of the fabric to make a threaded effect. It can also be used in successive rows, and later trimmed and cut to make a velvet filling or a bushy effect. This tutorial will only teach you the technique of doing this stitch.


How to do the Surrey Stitch

Work between two closely drawn parallel stitch lines.

Fig 1: Go in through A, and come out from B, in the lower stitch line. Leave the thread open.
Now, go in through C, a point directly above A and in the above stitch line. Keep the open thread towards the left, as shown.
Fig 2: Bring the needle out through A as shown.
Fig 3: Now, take the needle in through D and out through A, as in Fig 1.
Do not pull the thread out. Instead, leave the loop at a length that you desire.
Fig 4:Keeping the loop long, take the needle in through E, and out through D.
Fig 5: Keep up with this process for the entire row. Remember to keep the loops hanging and at a similar length. You can either leave it like it is, especially if doing edgings.Fig 6: Else, you can cut the loops to give it a different effect. You can make rows of such stitches to fill a given area. Later, you can cut and trim the threads for a bushy feel. In such a case, remember to begin from the bottom row and work upwards. This will keep you from begin bothered by the threads of the previous row!

29 Responses

  1. P
    Pujashree Panda says:

    Hi Sarah.
    How can I see your previous posts,i.e, your previous stitches that you keep uploading in this forum?

  2. l
    letchumy says:

    hye..sarah ..im from malaysia ..i want to learn but its looks so difficult ..can i get any step 2 step to do the stiching

  3. D
    Deasy says:

    Dear Sarah
    I just found your websites…. your explanation is very simple for me the beginner. Thank you 😘

  4. Anjali Sreejith says:

    Hi Dear, I am a big fan of you. I started learning embroidery from your site. Could you pls tell me what kind of embroidery to be used to design a bird on dress (as attached)

  5. Dear Sarah
    I love embroidery. I found your website in 2013. Your website is very resourceful. The group I am part of it, we teach different art of needlework. I am teaching embroidery.
    I use your site for reference. Thanks for your knowledge. God bless you. From: Puerto Rico.

    Ana V. Gonzalez

  6. P
    Penny says:

    Hello Sarah,
    Thank you for this site. I find your instructions for the stitches very helpful and clear.
    One comment I have on website itself. I find it very hard to get to a stitch; the selection menu keeps disappearing. It would be easier to have a list of stitches somewhere with links to click on; and also it would be nice to see all stitches of one family together, so that you can scroll down through them.
    Also, in the master list of all stitches, it would be nice if there was a picture of each stitch. Now I have to click on many stitches till I find the one that I need for a certain task, because I may not know the name of what I am looking for.
    Thanks! And happy stitching.

  7. h
    hitesh says:

    very nice for your explanations, everything looks simple with you.

  8. v
    violet says:

    Sarah
    what fabrics you are sewing on your stitched? And what is the name? Where can I purchase?

  9. c
    cathy says:

    Hi there – love your site. Was ur ebook ever published – I see it to the right of your page but there is no link. Please let us know? ; )

  10. X
    Xee Jafri says:

    Dear Sarah,

    Great work you and your team has done. We are a not-for-profit organization working in Pakistan, currently running three months training for women artisan on Phulkari embroidery.

    I was wondering if we can use your illustrations and pictures on various stitch types and techniques for the training manual which is in development phase, with due credit to you or your firm. I will surely share soft copy of Manual with you.

    Kindly advise.

  11. M
    MARIA LUCIA STAPE says:

    pls let me receive news from you.

    tks,

    Maria Lúcia

  12. l
    loredana spinelli says:

    Sei brava e poi ho seguito il suggerimento di Elisabetta Sforza

  13. W
    Walee says:

    Hi Sarah
    Please can I know your place in Chennai. I am cerulean to learn. Thanks.. Walee

  14. M
    María says:

    Fántastica tu página. Muchas gracias por compartirlo!

  15. G
    Geeta says:

    Love to learn how to make embroidery

  16. m
    margarida says:

    Thank you very much for your explanations, everything looks simple with you.

  17. S
    Samia Dowla says:

    I love your work! I wish I had half of your skills!

  18. B
    Brenda Marsh says:

    What do you use to mark your fabric as embroidery can not always be washed?

  19. D
    Donna says:

    Do you make videos? Can’t seem to find any but I thought I you did.

  20. V
    Vipanchika says:

    Send me some new stitches.

  21. V
    Vipanchika says:

    Send me the stitches regularly.

  22. S
    Shruti Vadeyar says:

    Hi Sarah, I’m a big fan of your tutorials. I remember you mentioning that you are based out of Pune. If so, do you take classes for embroidery. I would be more than willing to join. Pls reply.

  23. kashif says:

    You want a embroidery logo design , Patch design, kids dress design or any type of other embroidery file visit for great work http://www.embroideryprince.com

  24. Estou estudando os pontos e não encontrei o ponto Nó de Pérolas Fechado e também o Nó de Pérolas.Ao clicar sobre a imagem a pagina não abre.
    Os pontos foram retirados?
    Existe outro caminho para se chegar a eles?
    Agradeço ajuda.
    Rose

  25. R
    Robin says:

    I have been wanting to learn hand embroidery for quite some time. Is there a direct site I can go to, to follow you?
    Thank you
    Robin

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