Decorative Stitches: How to stitch the Filling Gobelin Stitch

The Filling Gobelin Stitch is a longer tent stitch worked vertically or horizontally to fill areas with smooth, even texture. It's simple, elegant, and ideal when you want your threads—not the canvas—to take center stage.

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Where and Why to Use It

• Great for backgrounds

• Offers good coverage, especially on color-printed canvases

• Perfect for areas where you want a flat, even surface with minimal texture

Stitch Chart for the Filling Gobelin Stitch

How to Stitch the Filling Gobelin Stitch

1. Start in the top right corner of the area you want to fill.

2. Bring the needle up 4 canvas threads down (leaving 3 canvas holes open).

3. Go down 4 threads up from where you came up, creating a vertical stitch that spans 4 canvas threads.

4. Leave one horizontal row open and move one canvas thread to the left, then repeat the same vertical stitch.

5. Continue working horizontally to the outer left edge of the area, spacing your stitches evenly.

6. When the row is complete, move 2 canvas threads down (leaving 1 canvas hole open) and one row to the right to begin the next horizontal row of vertical stitches.

7. Repeat the same pattern working back from left to right, filling the area in a zigzag motion.

Why It’s Called the Gobelin Stitch

Named after the famous Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory in France, the term “Gobelin stitch” often refers to longer straight stitches that mimic the look of woven textiles. The "filling" version does exactly that—filling your canvas in a refined, structured way.