BUTTONHOLE BAR / DETACHED BUTTONHOLE STITCH
The Buttonhole Stitch is a wonderful stitch to wrap around a long Straight Stitch. It adds texture and firmness to the stitch, and reinforces it. The Buttonhole Bar is an important stitch in Cutwork Embroidery, as it is used to anchor large cut areas.

Start at one end of the stitch, and take a tiny bite out of the fabric at the other end (step 1). Next, go back to the beginning of the stitch and take another tiny bite (step 2). Take a third tiny bite (step 3). Now, cover the three long stitches with the Buttonhole Stitch, without piercing the fabric (step 4).
Step 1:


Step 2:


Step 3:


Step 4:


Finished Stitch:
 
Hints:
  • Make sure the bar doesn't get twisted. You can anchor the "purls" of the bar by inserting the needle at the end a little below the long stitches.
 
See also: