Arts and Designs
solo butterfly
Arts and Designs



Search for magnifier
Where am I :- Home -> glossary -> M

Cross stitch, Needlecraft and Embroidery Glossary: Macedonian stitch to Mylar

A comprehensive illustrated needlecraft dictionary with clear definitions and working diagrams. Includes 766 terms used in cross stitch, embroidery, tapestry, blackwork, and goldwork. (Click thumbnails to enlarge.)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z Others Index
M
A free embroidery filling stitch.

Macedonian stitch This is worked in horizontal rows using small stitches.

A free embroidery stitch. Magic Chain stitch

Thread the needle with two colours. Come out at A and insert needle at B holding one loop under the needle with the thumb. That colour will make a chain, next time hold down other colour to alternate colours.
Also known as chequered chain stitch.

A counted thread stitch . Maltese Cross

A large feature stitch used singly usually in samplers. First lay straight stitches following the numbers on the diagram and being careful to weave over and under. The lattice is then laced firstly by bringing the thread out at the arrow and passing under and over the intersections as illustrated, finishing at the same point before taking the thread to the back of the work again.

A lustrous embroidery thread made of 100% Viscose/Rayon with a sheen. It can be stranded down to one ply.
A counted thread stitch giving the impression of opposing triangles.Milanese stitch

Diagonal stitches are worked two on each diagonal, the first row over four intersections and one and then three and two intersections, two and three intersections and one and four intersections and so on.Photo milanese Oriental stitch and straight milanese stitch are variations.

A free embroidery stitch used for gold work. Mille Fleur Pattern Couching

An area is filled with horizontal rows , turning sharply at the end of each row and the couching threads are placed in a `flower ' pattern as shown.

See also Couching, Gold work
A counted thread stitch variation of herringbone stitch.Mirrored Herringbone stitch

Stitches are worked diagonally across six fabric thread intersections with each stitch followed by one parallel and two threads to the right as shown in the diagram.

A counted thread stitch . Modified Leviathan stitch

A large version of Leviathan where the first large cross stitch is made over six fabric intersections. Follow the numbering as shown finishing with an upright cross in the centre.

A fine cotton canvas made in Denmark, available in white, pastels and Christmas colours. It is a good alternative to evenweave linen for working samplers where the background is left unworked. This is called gongress cloth in the UK.
See also Canvas
Similar to evenweave canvas but the threads pass through each other where they intersect. This means that the fabric does not easily unravel and so can be trimmed close to the worked area, useful for small items such as napkin rings. To tell the difference run your fingers over the canvas, with mono interlock there are no ridges.
See also Canvas
Initials letters used to personalise items.
A counted thread stitch.Montenegrin Cross stitch

Work from left to right. Bring out needle at bottom of cross at left. Insert needle eight threads to right and four threads up, then bring out four threads to right of starting point. Insert again four threads up from starting place and bring out in the same place as last time. Insert four threads up and bring out again at same place as last time. Continue along row.

A counted thread stitch which is normally worked in two colours. Moorish stitch

Work from left to right diagonally down across fabric. One colour is used for the squares made up of stitches worked diagonally over two, four, six, four, two and so intersections. The second colour follows the squares but is always worked over two intersections.

A counted thread stitch. Mosaic filling stitch

Work four blocks of 4 satin stitches over three threads each to form a square as shown in diagram. Then bring thread through at bottom right corner of inner square. Work a four sided stitch in inner square bringing needle out again at starting point and work cross stitch in centre.
This can also be used in drawn fabric work except that the stitches are pulled tightly.

A counted thread stitch Mosaic stitch

Three diagonal stitches are worked over 1, 2 and 1 thread to form a small box .

A counted thread stitch Mosaic stitch with Tent stitch

A variation of mosaic stitch where mosaic boxes are alternated with the same area worked in tent stitch to give a checkerboard pattern. Very similar to chequer stitch but each square is worked over a smaller area.

A counted thread stitch . Mosaic variation

Four diagonal stitches each over two fabric threads are worked to make a small diamond. When the area is filled with diamonds small upright cross stitches are worked in the centre of each diamond in the same or contrasting colour.

A free embroidery spot filling stitch.Moss stitch

This is worked in a regular pattern with alternate rows in the space of the previous one. An ordinary cross stitch is worked as a foundation and is then crossed by a longer vertical stitch. This stitch enters the fabric only at the top and bottom and is looped round the centreof the cross stitch , making a twisted chain stitch with a long tail.
Also known as cross and twist stitch.

A surface free embroidery stitch used traditionally in white work It gets its name from a town in Ireland. Mountmellick

This stitch is worked vertically. Come up at A and make s stitch from B to C where B is below and slightly to the right and C is immediately below A. Pull through to give a slanting stitch. Without entering the fabric pass the needle from D to E. Take a vertical stitch going into the same holes from A to C and looping the thread under the needle, draw through. This completes one stitch. Start the next stitch by making a stitch between F and G , then slide the needle under the slanting stitch as before. Go in at C right inside the stitch as in chain stitch and come out at G and so on. This is best worked in heavy thread.

See also Chain stitch
A counted thread stitch Multiple cross stitch

Work double cross stitches as shown and then work basic cross stitches over the arms of the double crosses. Finally work eight small stitches over one thread going into the central hole and pulling these very firmly.

A counted thread stitch Multiple rice stitch

A variation on rice stitch with the initial cross stitch made over an even number of threads of 8 or above and each arm crossed with smaller diagonal stitches as shown. See also triple rice stitch.

An evenweave cotton fabric 126 threads to 10 cms, 32 count
A mirror like aluminium backed with linen or cotton which can be cut and used as a substitute for mirrors in shisha work.
See also Shisha work
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z Others Index
magnifier
Please wait ...

Arts and Designs

There are no items in your shopping cart.

You can add items with the Add to Cart button.

This window will close automatically in a few seconds.

Continue Shopping

You have already added this item to the shopping cart.
Please use the + control on the cart to increase the quantity.
Some items were already in the shopping cart.
Please use the + control on the cart to increase the quantity.
 (you must download some or all items of this order yourself) ?
 (you have chosen to download this order yourself) ?
 (this order will be mailed to you)
Change to Mail/Post
Click OK to remove this item or Cancel to keep it in the list
Click OK to empty your shopping cart or Cancel to keep it as it is
Sorry - your shopping cart is full so you can't add any more items.
We have only XITEMSINSTOCK in stock so some of your order may be despatched later.
Please contact us if you need more information.
We have only XABSITEMSINSTOCK available.
Please contact us if you need more information.
(incl. discount of XLINEDISCOUNT)
XTOTALDISCOUNT
You will now be redirected to PayPal's secure checkout page. This may take a few seconds to display.
You do not need to create a PayPal account to pay this way.
Please use your browser's bookmark button to add this page to your favourites.
You have selected one or more patterns that you must download yourself to your own computer.
IMPORTANT! Please read carefully the page that follows payment for the instructions on downloading (we will also send you an email).
Please click OK to confirm that you wish to proceed, or Cancel to return to the cart.
We regret this item is currently unavailable.
It is possible that someone else has recently purchased the last one.
Please select a delivery country before proceeding to checkout.
The shopping cart cannot be displayed - you may have an old version of cart software. Please refresh this page or shut down and restart your browser.
Important!Please click I am in Western Canada if you are in British Columbia, Alberta or The Yukon

Otherwise please click I'm Not in Western Canada.

Due to severe and persistent delays at the Vancouver Customs facility we have suspended deliveries to British Columbia, Alberta and The Yukon until a normal delivery service is resumed.

We are still shipping to the rest of Canada.

Dismiss

Due to technical problems with EU Customs systems, we have temporarily and with regret suspended sales to EU countries.

Please try again in a few days in case the problems have been resolved.

We apologise for any disappointment.

0.2
Your Shopping Cart ?
Arts and Designs
QtyItemTypeUnit
Price
Line
Price
Controls
X
 
 
Select Currency: ?
Select Delivery Country: ?
Proceed To Checkout

Your Purchase - Secure, Private and Fast

We offer a variety of secure payment methods for your safety and convenience:
  • Mastercard or Visa credit and debit cards
  • PayPal®, the world's leading on-line payment processor
  • Cheque Payment (£GBP only)
  • No-quibble money back guarantee
  • Telephone support in UK: 0207-100-3509
    in US/Canada: 206-886-0514
    International: (+)44-207-100-3509
Arts and Designs
  • "I have received my chart I ordered yesterday ,what excellent service 24 hour from placing order to receiving the chart. I will certainly use your company again and pass your name on to like minded friends. Thank you" - VB, Yorks., United Kingdom
  • "Dear Arts and Designs, Just a note of thanks and to let you know the cross stitch arrived yesterday (Thursday). It was very well packed and in perfect condition and thank you so much for your prompt despatch. Yours sincerely" - DS, QLD, Australia
  • "Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for the prompt manner in which you filled my order. I just ordered three more kits and I am sure this will not be my last order. Its refreshing to find a dealer that delivers exactly what is promised. Also the directions in the kit were very detailed and left nothing to guess work. Thanks again to my newly found friends across the pond." - MD, CA, United States

Information & Resources

Show Prices in ...

x