![](https://www.carinascraftblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fishbone-stitch-tutorial_44899519522_o.jpg)
I really like this stitch, fishbone stitch. Especially when using variegated threads, I love seeing those patterns emerge. It’s most often used for leaves, but just look at my little sample there, they look more like feathers. And I think it can be used for lots of different shapes too. Like hearts, for example.
It’s a pretty easy stitch, but it takes a bit of practice to get the sides nice and even – I’m still working on that! ;-)
![](https://www.carinascraftblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fishbone-stitch-tutorial_44227894564_o.jpg)
In this example I’m doing a leaf shape, so I started by drawing that on my fabric. This is mainly as a helpful guide, don’t get too hung up about it* if your leaf doesn’t end up following the shape exactly.
Step one
Make a small straight stitch (approximately 4mm) at the tip of the centre line, bringing the needle up at A and inserting it at B.
*The perfectionists among you are of course completely welcome to get hung up about it, and unpick things to make them just so. ;-)
![](https://www.carinascraftblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fishbone-stitch-tutorial_44899519792_o.jpg)
Step two
Make a small stitch slightly to the left side of the centre line, bringing the needle up at C and inserting it at D.
![](https://www.carinascraftblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fishbone-stitch-tutorial_44227894184_o.jpg)
Step three
Make a small stitch slightly to the right side of the centre line, bringing the needle up at E and inserting it at F.
Notice that the needle is always inserted along the centre line.
![](https://www.carinascraftblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fishbone-stitch-tutorial_44227893834_o.jpg)
Step four
Make another small stitch slightly to the left side of the centre line, bringing the needle up at G and inserting it at H.
Step four is basically a repeat of step two and I think you can probably guess that step five would be a repeat of step three. :-)
To fill the shape you alternate between making a stitch on the right and left side of the centre line, moving down the sides until you have filled the whole shape.
When you are done, you should have a shape that looks similar to the ones in the top picture. :-)
Thanks so much for this tute Carina, I love how this looks! I am definitely going to try this on my next embroidery design!