In this tutorial I’ll show you how to make Bermuda fagoting. Bermuda fagoting is a lacelike stitch which resembles hemstitching. The fabric is pierced with a coarse needle without removing any threads as in hemstitching: therefore it can be worked on curved lines, and it’s easy and fast to make.
Bermuda fagoting was often used in the Edwardian era for monograms or to attach lace: ‘Lace edging or insertion may be applied to material with Bermuda fagotting by basting the lace to place and working the stitch so that every other straight stitch is taken through the lace and material; afterwards the raw edge of the material behind the lace may be cut off close to the fagotting.’ (Clothing For Women, 1916) Here’s a 1916 picture of lace fagotted to fabric. Bermuda fagoting is sometimes called Point Turc or three-sided stitch, and it can also be worked as four-sided stitch.
You’ll need:
- white cotton fabric
- white sewing thread
- coarse needle
- embroidery hoop
Double the sewing thread. Here I’m working the Bermuda fagoting from left to right, but it can also be worked from right to left.
Take some threads on the needle – the needle is in line with the Bermuda fagoting.
Repeat the stitch, and draw the thread tight. Now you’ll have the first two holes.
Pierce the needle through the fabric in a slanting line.
Repeat the stitch, and draw the thread tight. Now there are three holes.
Pierce the needle through the fabric, again in a straight line.
Repeat the stitch and draw the thread tight. There are four holes now.
Now end the first series of stitches by bringing the needle up in the first hole. Repeat the stitch and draw the thread tight.
Repeat all the stitches.
I worked the stitch on a straight line, but Bermuda fagoting can also follow a curved line.
I embellished my Edwardian lace lavender sachets with bermuda fagoting.
Here you’ll find more of my lace tutorials.
Thanks so much for this great tutorial. I’ve never worked this stitch before.
And thanks too for linking up to last week’s Stitchery Link Party. Aloha hugs!
I’ve also pinned it to my Embroidery Stitch Tutorial board on Pinterest. 🙂
Thank you! 😀
Hi Lina,
Beautiful work and thank you for sharing the tutorial. We used to own a cross stitch shop, but to be honest I haven’t done any extensive work or cutwork since it closed. You inspire me to get back into soon. ~smile~ Roseanne
I’m glad it inspired you! 🙂 I love Bermuda fagoting – it’s so easy to make and looks so pretty.
As I mentioned in my previous comment… this is a really great tutorial and I loved reading it again as I reminded me that this is something I’ve been meaning to try to incorporate into an embroidery project.
Thanks so much for linking up to last week’s Stitchery Link Party. Aloha hugs!
This looks like a technique I could use on the hem line to create a base to crochet a lace border from. Does that sound like it would work?
I think it should work. 🙂
i must be dumb because I don’t understand how this stitch is started. every pic already has a long line made and the drawing of the stitch is what step first? then what? sorry but as a beginner I’m stumped!
It doesn’t matter where you start the stitch (on the right or left side of the holes). The stitch (holes) evolves as you continue to stitch it. When you stitch a small sample it should become clearer. And if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂