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Learn the Cloud Filling Stitch

The cloud filling stitch is one that I stumbled upon in one of my favorite vintage embroidery books, Erica Wilson’s Embroidery Book. You don’t see this stitch super often in modern embroidery projects, but it’s a great one to play around with different colors and threads. If you want to keep it simple and use one color, it will still add a nice patterned texture to any area.

You can use any thread you’d like – I used 6 stranded cotton floss but if you like the look of a denser fill, choose something a bit thicker like crewel wool. It’s also helpful to have both an embroidery needle and a tapestry needle on hand to work this stitch.

How To Do The Cloud Filling Stitch

cloud filling stitch step 1

Start by making small vertical straight stitches that are laid in a staggered, checkerboard pattern. Try to make them as evenly spaced as possible. If you need to, you can mark some gridlines along the fabric.

cloud filling stitch step 2

Switch to a tapestry needle if you have one. With a new piece of thread, come up at the top of the top right stitch. Place your needle under A (from right to left), then under the stitch below at B, then under C. Repeat this pattern, then end the stitch under the last stitch along the top left row.

cloud filling stitch step 3

Starting along the second row, come up directly beside the next stitch at D. Place your needle under D, then under at E, then under at F, repeating this pattern along the 2 rows of stitches.

cloud filling stitch step 4

Continue working these stitches across each row until you’ve woven the thread underneath all of the vertical stitches.

Extra Tips

  • This technique is more of an open fill stitch, but you can control the density of the finished result by making the vertical stitches closer together or by using a thicker thread.
  • Play around with multiple shades of the same color to create a fun gradient effect.
  • To make the interlaced stitches more curvy and less of a “v” shape, avoid pulling the thread too tight. After you finish each row, use the tip of your tapestry needle to gently position the stitches.

I hope this tutorial added a stitch of happiness to your project…keep weaving love into every stitch!

Take a look at even more interesting fill stitches or gather some more stitch ideas for filling in large areas.

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