How To Tent Stitch? A Simple Yet Effective Tent Stitch Guide

I wanted to needlepoint on even wave canvas. But wouldn’t do it correctly! 🥲 So, guess what I did?

Is that all? Of course not! Here is what to do.

How To Tent Stitch?

To do a tent stitch, you need to follow 3 steps.

1. Gather The Canvas
2. Start By Bringing The Needle Up
3. Continue and End The Tent Stitch

There are various common stitch methods from tent stitch to just darning stitch but I’ll show you Continental tent stitch.

To start stitching you need to gather canvas. Needlepoint is done on even-weave canvas, which is quite different from regular fabric with a single intersection. You can even do an embroidery stitch on this. This intersection of canvas is a lot like the wire mesh used in window screens, but instead of wire, it’s made from strong cotton or linen fibers, making it 100% natural.

Other than that-

-Which canvas do you use Grandma?

Start by bringing the needle up through the back of the canvas at your starting point of an easy needlepoint stitch which will be the bottom left corner of your first stitch.

-What size needle do I need for the tent stitch?

To make the tent stitch, insert the needle back into the canvas diagonally, so it slants from the bottom left to the top right. Pull the thread through to the back. That’s the entry for tent stitch.

Move the needle to the next hole directly to the right of the first stitch. Bring it up through the canvas and repeat the diagonal stitch from bottom left to top right. Just like you do in overcast stitch. Keep making these diagonal stitches and the needle should be at 45 degree angle, ensuring they stay even in size and spacing.

Continue stitching across the row in the same way, making each hardwearing stitch from the bottom left to the top right. As you do this, ensure that each stitch on the front of the canvas slants at a 45-degree angle. Just like you would do in saddle stitch.

On the back of the canvas, the thread should form a diagonal stitch across 2 threads of the canvas, keeping the tension even but not too tight.

When you reach the end of the row and need to work the next row from left to right, reverse the direction of your stitches. This means you will make each stitch in canvaswork from the top right to the bottom left. Again, maintain the same angle and spacing, ensuring that on the back of the canvas, the thread still forms a diagonal stitch across 2 threads. 

And when you are done cut the excuse thread and you are done.

There are other 4 methods of tent stitch too. As as:

1. Basketweave tent stitch
2. Half cross tent stitch
3. Mosaic stitch
4. Cashmere stitch

To do the basketweave tent stitch, start by bringing the needle up at the bottom left corner of your first running stitch. Insert it diagonally back into the canvas, forming versatile stitches from bottom left to top right. Keep stitching diagonally across the canvas, ensuring uniformity and a 45-degree slant.

On the reverse side, your Advanced and Specialty Stitches should also form a diagonal needlepoint stitch. This stitch is efficient, distributing tension evenly for a smooth finish and preventing warping.

To do the half cross tent stitch, start by bringing the needle up through the bottom left hole of the canvas. Insert it back into the top right hole, creating a diagonal stitch. Unlike the full tent stitch, this one involves only one pass, making it quicker but less dense. Keep going in a straight line, repeating the diagonal stitch from bottom left to top right.

When finishing a row, move to the starting point of the next row and repeat the process. This is like sewing cross stitch but in needlepoint.

To do a mosaic stitch, start by bringing your needle up through the back of the canvas at your starting point. Make a small tent stitch by inserting the needle back into the canvas diagonally, forming a slant from the bottom left to the top right. Next, move the needle two threads to the right and one weft thread down, then bring it up through the canvas. Make another tent stitch here.

Continue this pattern, alternating the position of each stitch to create a mosaic effect, filling in small squares and rectangles to form a cohesive and textured design.

To do the cashmere stitch, start by bringing the needle up through the canvas at the starting point. Make a short horizontal stitch over two threads to the right. Then, bring the needle up two threads below the end of the previous stitch and make another horizontal stitch.

Continue by making a vertical stitch, bringing the needle up two threads below and two threads to the left of the last stitch. Repeat this alternating pattern of horizontal and vertical stitches to create a woven texture.

To do the Continental Tent Stitch, start by bringing the needle up at the bottom left corner of the canvas square. Then, insert the needle into the top right corner of the same square, creating a diagonal stitch.

For the next stitch, bring the needle up at the bottom left corner of the next square to the right and repeat this pattern. Continue making diagonal stitches from bottom left to top right across the row, covering the canvas efficiently with small, slanted stitches.

To do a skip tent stitch bring the needle up through the back of the canvas and make a diagonal tent stitch. Instead of moving directly to the next hole, skip one or more holes horizontally or vertically before making the next stitch. Keep spacing consistent to maintain the open design. This stitch is great for creating patterns or lighter areas in needlepoint projects. 

The process is kinda similar to how to do a blanket stitch by hand. Don’t you think?

To sew tent fabric, use a heavy-duty needle and outdoor thread. Machine or hand sew with a back stitch or straight Stitch. Overlap edges by 1/2 inch and reinforce with a second row of stitches.

Apply seam sealant or waterproof tape for extra water resistance.

To sew tent seams, align fabric edges with the wrong sides together. Use a flat-felled or French seam for durability. Press seams with a warm iron to set stitches.

Apply seam sealant or waterproof tape for added weather resistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Now It’s Your Time To Tent Stitch

So, I teach you how to tent stitch.

Now do your try it out on your own.

And share the stitch picture with sewinginspo.