Herringbone stitch
Portugal is situated in the south western part of Europe and is flanked by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean and the Spaniards. Portugal has had a rich history and it has been supplemented with a cultural heritage which has been inherited by every succeeding generation. Portugal is famous worldwide for its various natural resources like its olive oil, wines, pine nuts etc and these have consolidated its steady economic growth. The Portuguese have also adapted various embroidery patterns and their passionate embroidery techniques have impressed and astounded people worldwide.
If one researches the various embroidery patterns practiced in Portugal one will find that many of these techniques have been adopted from ancient forms and modified or from those patterns which have originated in other nations and have been incorporated by the Portuguese culture. The herringbone stitch is an ancient stitching pattern and is referred to by various names like Persian stitch, mossoul stitch, witch stitch, catch stitch, plaited stitch and Russian stitch or Russian cross stitch. It was as early as the 14th century that the acclaimed Italian painter Giotto had pointed out for the first time that the herringbone stitch performed with immense meticulousness and accuracy as stitching on the borders of outfits. The herringbone stitch gives rise to a crisscrossed design and it can be interwoven by using a plethora of threads, cords and couch ribbons for having the desired effect on the fabric. Herringbone stitches can be used proficiently in creating different innovative patterns and very often they are used as the foundation row stitch form in case of various types of composite stitches. It is to be remembered in case of this stitch that the herringbone stitch is woven along parallel lines and therefore it is advisable to draw the lines on the fabric itself before the stitching begins.