Faggoting Embroidery
What is the most simplest but elegant of lace? What is the beautiful, decorative stitch that takes everything to the next level? Fagoting embroidery is produced by pulling out horizontal threads and tying the cross threads into groups of an hourglass shape; also defined as an openwork stitch joining hemmed edges. The faggot stitch is bound together in a pattern to make holes in the fabric. The stitch uses soft satins and linens with a delicate style of linking two pieces of fabric together. The etymology of the stitch name is nothing to do with the derogatory term (from the early 1900s). Faggot is a word dating from the 1300s which means a bundle of sticks tied together, similar to the appearance to a group of threads tied together. Which is where this embroidery stitch gets its name from.
As the stitch is very old, the name was from a long time before the derogatory version of the word developed. The meanings of words can be transient, changing over time and in different places in cultures which can sometimes present problems for the present day when using names for old stitches. Fagoting is the simplest of lace. It creates a beautiful, delicate lace finish that can add a lot of beauty to a simple piece.
Fagotting is a beautiful stitch for borders since it lays flat. Whenever designers need to visually separate one panel from another it is nice to use a small section of fagotting.
I really enjoyed this technique because it has an extremely pretty, delicate finish. Really taking the time to do this technique can take any garment to the next level. The design I made was a vest, which is not a piece that is all that popular today. But lacey and knitted pieces are a must. This thick embroidery and multiple lines of the fagot stitch give a really modern but vintage feel and I love it. The finish is beautiful and very versatile. I can see an array of new designs that can be made with this technique.
Next time I use the fagot stitch, I will be doing a decorative trim of some sort at the bottom of a piece or using large thread to make a chunky sweater or skirt overlay, and I would like to try knitting the fabric stich because I love to knit. I am very excited to practice this stitch and make so many beautiful pieces with it.
