Bullion knots are worked by wrapping the thread around the needle and anchoring the stitch to the fabric. They can seem a little tricky to begin so don’t let it put you off if your first few bullion knots are a little messy. Just keep going and repeat the steps and it will gradually become easier. The size of the bullion knot can vary depending on how many times the thread is wrapped around the needle. You can form straight or curved bullions knots and it’s also a great stitch to use for different flowers. A rose flower can be created using bullion knots, which is demonstrated in the video tutorial at the end of this blog post.
Bullion knot stitch tutorial
Materials:
· Fabric – cotton or linen fabric works well. I used osnaburg fabric which is 100% seeded cotton, but you can use any spare fabric you already have.
· Stranded embroidery thread
· Needle – a fine needle, such as a milliners needle may help when working bullion knots
· Scissors
Optional:
· Embroidery hoop
During this tutorial I am using osnaburg 100% cotton seeded fabric, DMC stranded cotton embroidery thread, a hand embroidery needle and a 5” DMC beechwood embroidery hoop.
1. Thread your needle using stranded embroidery thread and tie a knot at one end. For this tutorial I am using six strands of DMC stranded embroidery thread. You can choose how many strands of thread you would like to use.
2. Bring your needle up through the fabric at point 1.
3. Insert your needle into point 2, this forms the length of the bullion knot.
4. Bring your needle up at point 3, close to your starting point.
5. Leave your needle in this position and wrap the thread around the needle.
6. The amount of thread on your needle needs to measure the same as the distance of the stitch gap.
7. Hold your needle and thread between your fingers as you pull the needle through the fabric with your other hand.
8. You may need to slightly loosen the grip of your needle and threads to allow the needle to pass through the fabric.
9. Pull the thread and allow the bullion knot to lay on the fabric.
10. Secure by inserting your needle into the fabric near the end of the bullion knot.
11. The bullion knot is complete.
Bullion knot top tips
It can be tricky to keep the thread wrapped around the needle so keep pushing the threads down the needle as you continue wrapping.
Create a curved bullion knot by wrapping the thread a few more times around the needle to form a longer bullion knot which will naturally curve when attached the the fabric.
If you are finding it difficult to pull the needle through the fabric, try to loosen the wraps around the needle. This will allow the needle to pass through the fabric and thread more easily.
Bullion Knot Video Tutorial
Bullion Knot Rose Tutorial
Happy stitching!
Hannah x
