DIY Network

Decorative Box Stitch A decorative stitch with many variations, and needlepoint finishing tips From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-114

Jacqueline Motley demonstrates the box stitch, which is a decorative stitch. This can be used in a number of different ways to create different effects.

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The mosaic stitch is a slightly simplified version of the scotch stitch; both are variations of box stitches.

Box stitch:
A box stitch is one of needlepoint's workhorse stitches: a number of different stitches originate from it, but for our purposes we are doing a basic scotch stitch. This requires the use of a tent stitch first. Come up at the bottom of the intersection, travel over it and go down through the canvas in the top right hole. To create a box or scotch stitch, you would come up through the canvas again right below the bottom of the tent stitch and go over 2 intersections, going down through the canvas next to the top of the tent stitch. This can be repeated any number of times based on the size of the scotch you are creating. Each time you would start below the previous stitch, add one more intersection and go down through the canvas next to the top of the previous stitch. When the box is large enough, you will need to decrease the number of intersections the thread is covering. Do this by coming up next to the bottom of the previous stitch and going down through the canvas below the top of the previous stitch. Continuing repeating this, each time decreasing the number of intersections until you make a tent stitch, and the stitch is completed.

The center medallion is worked in the mosaic stitch, a variation of the box stitch.

The white corner patch is an example of the continental stitch.

The white diamond behind the central medallion was worked in basketweave.

Here are just two examples of beautifully finished needlepoint pillows.

Needlepoint Finishes

Needlepoint is traditionally sent out to be finished, and the ladies of 2 the Point demonstrate some of the ways this can be done.

Historically, needlepoint has been finished either as a pillow or as a framed picture. As needlepoint has evolved into an art form, we have come up with more contemporary finishing. We still continue to do custom pillows, but these are now very modern, with custom fringe, insets, bows, etc. You will still see lots of framing complete with multiple mats and museum-quality glass that allow the viewer to see the details of the decorative stitches and colors. Additionally, we have come up with newer and fresher ideas such as purses, shoes (slides), ornaments, stand-ups, three-dimensional items, watchbands, bangle bracelets, box-tops and easel-mounted items, to name a few. The finishing ideas are truly limitless, but be sure that you are working with someone who is very familiar with needlepoint canvas (a seamstress or custom pillow maker usually is not the answer). Check with your local needlepoint store; they usually have someone on staff who is a professional needlepoint finisher.