How to sew close herringbone stitch

find out more

Take the needle down through the wrong side of the fabric on one side of the shape to be filled. Bring the needle out a stitch length to the left. Take it across to the other side of the shape at a diagonal angle, bringing it down a stitch and a half ’s length to the right. Repeat by bringing the needle up on the same side of the shape, a stitch length to the left. Take it to the other side of the shape and take through the fabric a stitch and a half ’s length to the right.
Continue to fill the shape, making sure to keep the stitches evenly spaced and staying to the design line exactly. The right side of the work should be a back stitch outline of the motif. The herringbone pattern should be visible through the sheer fabric.
When you have finished the embroidery, remove from the hoop and cut out the rectangle of fabric. Then cut another piece from voile the same size. Place the back and front pieces of the bag right sides together. Pin and tack around the edge, leaving the top short side open.
Mark 4cm down from the top edge on either side of the bag. Starting at this point, stitch down to the corner, across the base and up the other side to make 1cm seams. Trim the seams down to 5mm, clip the corners and turn out. Stitch the side seams again, with a 1cm seam allowance, to enclose the raw edges and give a neat finish.
Fold the tops of the bag down to meet the top of the two side seams on the inside, forming a single hem. Stitch in place very close to the fabric’s edge, then stitch again 5mm from the fold to form a casing. Cut two lengths of narrow ribbon, measuring 40cm for the small bag or 50cm for the large one. Thread through the casings and knot the ends together to make drawstrings.

More Helpful Tips...

Give extra shape to frocks and tops with this handy sleeve enhancement. You can easily add interest to the head of the sleeve, and how it travels over the top of the arm, simply by using tucks, gathers, pleats and darts. Each of these will require a sligh

Improve Your Rolled Hems

Guarantee flowing hemlines that hang like a dream. Keen dressmaker Sarah Greeff has colourful memories of her first attempts at making a rolled hem. “I was first asked to make rolled hems for a colleague at Fenwick of Bond Street"

Perfect Your Piping

Know Your Overlocking

Get to grips with the best overlocking finishes for everyday stitching. The overlocker has a different feel to a regular sewing machine. The trick is to let the feed dog guide the fabric. Use your right hand to support the edge of the material, taking car

Master French Seams

Get to grips with a clever seam favourite for a continental finish! French seams are common in clothes for children, where the skin is extra sensitive, as the inside is completely smooth.

Fix a Frayed Pocket

A quick fashion fix with Amanda Bowden's classic miracle mend. The dread of torn stitching can be traumatic. Pockets are a common site of injury for catching on things, to say nothing of natural wear and tear as hands go in and out, and even the continued