How to Stitch a Renaissance Stitch

The renaissance stitch, also known as the queen stitch, is a common stitch used for cross stitch and embroidery that creates a rectangular, square- or diamond-shaped pattern. This stitch can be used as a border, as a patterned decoration or as filler for a large open area. Follow the steps below to create the Renaissance stitch.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin by making one straight vertical stitch in evenly woven fabric. The needle must now be in the back of the fabric. Bring the needle to the front of the fabric by pulling it through, at about the center of the straight stitch.

2. Make a very small stitch in the center of the vertical stitch to hold the stitch down. This stitch should be horizontal and very small.

3. Bring the needle from back to front by pulling the needle through at the top of the vertical stitch. Make another vertical stitch of the same size.

4. Bring the needle through from the back to the front again at the center of this second vertical stitch. Tie this stitch down with another very small horizontal stitch that looks just like a continuation of the first horizontal stitch.

5. Bring the needle to the front of the fabric again at the top of the first and second vertical stitches to create the third vertical stitch. Push the needle through to the back of the fabric at the bottom of the first and second stitches. Bring the needle through to the front again at the center to anchor it down with another small horizontal stitch.