Cross stitch, Needlework and Embroidery Glossary: Gate stitch to Guilloche Stitch
A comprehensive illustrated glossary of cross stitch, embroidery and needlecraft. Clear definitions and working diagrams. Includes over 700 terms used in cross stitch, embroidery, tapestry, blackwork, and goldwork.
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Gate stitch | A counted thread stitch Work four vertical straight stitches each over six threads and then two diagonal stitches from the corners of the block and complete with a horizontal straight stitch over five threads either two threads from the top or bottom. Blocks can be worked in straight horizontal or vertical rows or dropped by half a block. |
German buttonhole stitch | A free embroidery stitch variation of buttonhole stitch. Two buttonhole stitches are worked slanted apart and the working thread is is then looped under both without entering the fabric. The thread is then pulled downwards. Also called German knotted buttonhole stitch |
| See also Buttonhole stitch | |
German Interlacing stitch | A free embroidery stitch. Make a band of double herringbone using only one colour. Using a tapestry needle and a contrasting colour, weave under and over the upper half of this foundation as shown in the diagram. In this first step, starting at A, the needle goes over, under, over, under, over, under and finally under both the working thread and the foundation. Continuing from B the needle goes over, under, over and under the foundation bars. Continue weaving to the end of the line, turn the corner. Starting from C the needle goes over, under, over, under both the working thread and foundation. |
| See also Double herringbone stitch, Interlaced band | |
Gobelin encroaching stitch | A counted thread stitch. Work from left to right over five vertical and one horizontal thread. The second row is worked four threads below the first and the stitches thus formed will overlap the last thread of the previous row and make encroaching stitches. |
| See also Interlocking gobelin stitch | |
Gobelin filling stitch | A counted thread stitch. Worked left to right and then return right to left. Work upright stitches over six threads, missing two threads between. The following row is worked three threads below the first and into the missed columns. |
Gobelin plaited stitch | A counted thread stitch. Working from top to bottom, left to right make one row of diagonal stitches over four threads vertically and two horizontally. When first row is completed work second row of diagonal stitches beginning six threads below last insertion and overlapping as shown. |
Gold work | Embroidery using gold metallic threads. Gold threads come in various weights some of which can be used for passing and some which can only be couched. |
| See also Burden stitch, Couche rentre, Couching, Italian couching, Padding with felt, Padding with string | |
Gordian knot stitch | A free embroidery stitch It should be worked between parallel lines and kept fairly small. |
Greek cross stitch | A counted thread stitch This is similar to long-armed cross stitch but only two horizontal stitches in height. It is worked in rows with the crosses alternating direction in each row. Also known as greek stitch. |
| See also Greek stitch, Long armed cross stitch | |
Greek stitch | A counted thread stitch This is similar to long-armed cross stitch but only two horizontal stitches in height. It is worked in rows with the crosses alternating direction in each row. Also known as greek cross stitch. |
| See also Greek cross stitch, Long armed cross stitch | |
Guilloche Stitch | A stitch more suited to evenweave fabric. Work two rows of stem stitch up to half an inch apart. Then work small blocks of three stitches each horizontally through the centre spacing them as far apart as the distance between the rows of stem stitch. Then using a blunt (tapestry) needle slide through the blocks as shown. Leave the thread loose so that it curves. Finally work a french knot in the centre of each circle. |
| See also Evenweave fabric, French knot, Stem stitch | |
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