Comment broder Buttonhole bar stitch
Tutoriels de points de broderie > Tous les points > Buttonhole bar stitch
The Buttonhole bar stitch, step by step
We guide you here, step by step, to embroider the Buttonhole bar stitch.
The buttonhole bar stitch consists of covering a straight stitch with a succession of blanket stitches without piercing the fabric, to create a solid, regular decorative element in relief.
1 – Form the straight stitch
Bring the needle up at A on the right side of the fabric. Insert it at B and pull the thread firmly to form a taut straight stitch that will serve as the foundation of the bar. Bring the needle back up just above A, one thread away. Hold the thread down with your thumb at the base of A and maintain this pressure throughout the bar — this is what keeps the foundation stitch taut.
2 – Begin the blanket stitches
Keep the thread held down with your thumb. Turn the needle and slide the eye under the straight stitch without piercing the fabric, keeping the thread under the needle tip. Pull the thread gently towards you and flat against the fabric to place the first stitch on the bar and ease it gently to the left.
3 – Cover the bar
Slide the needle eye under the straight stitch again without piercing the fabric, keeping the thread under the needle tip. Place each stitch gently against the previous one, pulling with a light, even tension — not too tight, not too loose. Continue until the bar is completely covered.
4 – Finish the bar
When the bar is completely covered, insert the needle at C. Insert at the base of the last stitch to keep the bar flat, or slightly above the straight stitch to give it a gentle curve. Pass the thread to the back of the fabric and fasten it under the stitches already worked. ___________
Tips for a perfect buttonhole bar stitch
Tension of the straight stitch: The straight stitch must be pulled taut to form a solid foundation — a loose bar will make the blanket stitches uneven and difficult to control.
Hold the thread with your thumb: Keep your thumb pressed at the base of A throughout the bar — this gesture maintains the tension of the straight stitch and prevents the bar from loosening as you work each stitch.
Needle position: Always use the eye of the needle to slide under the bar — never the tip — to avoid damaging the foundation stitch or piercing the fabric.
Stitch tension: Place each stitch gently by pulling towards you and flat against the fabric with a light, even tension — not too tight to avoid distorting the bar, not too loose so the stitches sit firmly in place.
Regularity: Place the stitches side by side without overlapping to cover the straight stitch completely and achieve a regular, well-structured bar.
Result
On the front: A bar covered with regular blanket stitches forming a solid and precise decorative element in relief.
On the back: A straight stitch held taut between two points on the fabric.
EXPLORE FURTHER
The Buttonhole bar stitch, an essential stitch for learning hand embroidery
The buttonhole bar stitch creates decorative raised elements to link two embroidered areas, structure a design, or enrich a motif.
It is often used in cutwork and ornamental motifs in traditional embroidery.
Its strength and lightness make it a versatile element, equally suited to geometric and floral compositions.
The buttonhole bar stitch: a blanket stitch variation worked over a straight stitch.
Its construction is based on a straight stitch serving as a foundation around which the loops are formed without piercing the fabric.
This method produces a solid, regular, slightly raised line.
It is a fundamental technique in hand embroidery for creating relief and structuring motifs with precision.
DISCOVER OTHER STITCHES
Why learn the Buttonhole bar stitch?
• understand the principle of the buttonhole bar
• develop precision of movement and tension control
• explore detached relief techniques
• enrich cutwork embroidery and ornamental motifs
Learn the Buttonhole bar stitch with Un Chat dans l’Aiguille
At Un Chat dans l’Aiguille, the buttonhole bar stitch is taught step by step with clear, structured guidance.
Our approach to teaching is part of a complete hand embroidery stitch encyclopaedia, designed to support every embroiderer on their journey.
It allows you to progress at your own pace whilst building precision, consistency, and confidence in hand embroidery.