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Turkey Stitch, A Step-by-Step Guide with FREE Embroidery Pattern how to embroider hair

Lesson 13: Turkey Stitch, A Step-by-Step Guide with FREE Embroidery Pattern


In today's lesson, we'll explore the interesting Turkey Stitch—a stitch with its origins in Turkey that's perfect for adding a lot of texture to your embroidery projects. Moreover, you can have two distinct looks with just one stitch!


how to turkey stitch embroidery


  1. Start by taking the needle down through the fabric, leaving a tail on the surface. No need to knot the end of the thread in this case.
  2. Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric and create a 'locking' stitch at the base of the tail to secure it. The tail should end up in the middle of the locking stitch.
  3. Bring the needle up again right where the tail is or very near it and take the needle down a stitch length, leaving a loop on the surface.
  4. Make another 'locking' stitch at the base, similar to the first one.
  5. Repeat this process until you reach the end of the line. You can leave the loops as they are, resembling flower petals.
  6. Or you can cut the loops with embroidery scissors to create a fluffy, fringed texture.


Practice Pattern

Turkey Stitch, A Step-by-Step Guide with FREE Embroidery Pattern how to embroidery hair

Download this free practice pattern here


Don't forget to watch the YouTube video for step-by-step guide to stitch this pattern.


Since the Turkey Stitch is perfect to create so many gorgeous hairstyle, I decided to apply it for this fun pattern. After creating all the loops comes the fun part: trimming the hair to your desired style! 💇‍♀️


how to use turkey stitch to embroider hair


It's such a fun but also nerve-wracking experience for me because I feel like I'm cutting someone's real hair 😅


Once you learned this stitch, it's really opening so many opportunities to add texture to your work, from flowers, to fringe, and hairstyles.


I hope you have fun and happy hairstyling!