Embroidery stitches
The Berwick stitch is a form of blanket stitch, whereby a tight knot is made at the lower edge of the stitch, in order to firmly fix the stitch in place. The first time the name of Berwick stitch was used was in Anne Butler (Anne Morrell), The Batford Encyclopaedia of Embroidery Stitches (1983). The stitch was named by the author after the street in Manchester, where she was living at the time.
The bi-coloured cross stitch is a variation on the cross stitch, in which yarns in two colours are used, one for each of the basic elements that form the cross. This type of stitch is used for both counted thread and free-style embroidery. It is sometimes known as a chequered/checked cross stitch. GVE
The bi-coloured fly stitch is a variation of the fly stitch, in which two differently coloured threads are used for alternating stitches. It is also known as the checkered fly stitch. GVE
The bi-coloured open chain stitch is a variation of the chain stitch, in which two threads are used of contrasting colours to create a series of chains in alternating colours. This effect can be used for both ‘normal’ (closed) chain stitch and for the open chain stitch, but the open version is more common.
The blanket and stem stitch is a composite stitch made up of a row of blanket stitches capped with a row of stem stitches. This form of stitch is normally used for free-style embroidery.
GVE
The blanket stitch is a technique used in various forms of embroidery. It is very similar to the buttenhole stitch and it also uses two levels. It is called buttonhole stitch when the stitches are packed closely together, and blanket stitch (USA: blanket edge) when they are more evenly spaced out.
A blind hemming stitch is a technique whereby the hemming stitches are worked under part of the hem itself. This is done by rolling back part of the hem, stitching the hem in place, and then folding back the flap into situ, in this way hiding the line of stitches. See also the blind herringbone stitch.
A blind herringbone stitch is a technique whereby the herringbone stitches, which are used for hemming, are worked under part of the hem itself. This is done by rolling back part of the hem, stitching the hem in place, and then folding back the flap into situ, in this way hiding the line of stitches. See also the blind hemming stitch.
The term blind stitch is sometimes used for the Pekinese stitch, but also for the ladder stitch. WV
Bokhara couching is the use of a particular embroidery stitch, in which the same thread is used both for the laid and the tying down stitches. The couching thread is carried across the space from left to right and then fastened down by the needle on its return journey with slanting stitches at regular intervals. These stitches are often used to form a series of pattern lines across the area being decorated.
The bouclé stitch is a form of looping, in which a series of small loops are worked on the surface of the cloth. Sometimes, as in Morocco, these loops are worked into specific patterns, whose form can only be seen on the back of the cloth. On other occasions, the bouclé stitches are worked in a random manner.