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

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

Yes, you guess it right! I run to my grandma.😁And asked how to tent stitch?

She said-

How To Tent Stitch

Tent Stitch

To tent stitch, simply bring your needle up through the canvas, make a diagonal stitch over one intersection, and repeat across your design.

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

What You Will Learn:

  1. Use mono canvas for tent stitch.
  2. Insert the needle diagonally from bottom left to top right.
  3. Move to the next hole directly to the right and repeat the diagonal stitch.
  4. Stitch across the row with each stitch slanting at a 45-degree angle.

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
how to do tent stitch

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

Gather The Canvas

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-

Mono canvas is one type of needlepoint canvas, with vertical and horizontal threads woven evenly. It’s great for pulled work and comes in different mesh sizes like 10, 12, 13, 14, and 18-mesh, although you can find it up to 56 mesh.

Gather The Canvas

-Which canvas do you use Grandma?

-I normally use mono canvas for tent stitch needlepoint. 🪡

Mono canvas for tent stitch

Start By Bringing The Needle Up

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?

-You need an 18-22 size Tapestry Needle. 🧵  This needle size is useful in slip stitch hand sewing too.

18-22 size Tapestry Needle

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.

Insert the needle back into the canvas diagonally

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.

tent stitch

Continue and End The Tent Stitch 

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.

Continue and End The Tent 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.

Grandma tip:  Maintain consistent tension while stitching to ensure even and neat stitches.

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.

Still confused? Then watch this tutorial on how to tent stitch. Or if you wanna learn more stitching techniques then read our how to do tacking stitch step by step.

Watch The Tutorial

Learn to Needlepoint: Tent Stitch

Learn to Needlepoint: Tent Stitch

Other Methods of Tent Stitch

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
4 Other Methods of Tent Stitch

Basket Weave Tent 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.

Half Cross Tent Stitch

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.

Mosaic Stitch

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.

Cashmere Stitch

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.

How To Do Continental Tent Stitch?

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.

How To Do Continental Tent 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.

How To Do Skip Tent Stitch?

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. 

How To Do Skip Tent Stitch

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

How To Sew Tent Fabric?

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.

How To Sew Tent Fabric

Apply seam sealant or waterproof tape for extra water resistance.

How To Sew Tent Seams?

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.

How To Sew Tent Seams

Apply seam sealant or waterproof tape for added weather resistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What Is The Tent Stitch Used For In Needlepoint?

The Tent Stitch is primarily used for covering large areas of a needlepoint canvas. It creates a dense, smooth, and even surface, making it ideal for backgrounds, borders, and detailed areas in needlepoint projects.

How Does The Continental Tent Stitch Differ From Other Variations Of The Tent Stitch?

The Continental Tent Stitch involves making diagonal stitches from the bottom left to the top right corner of each canvas square, working from left to right. This method provides better coverage on the back of the canvas, uses less canvas thread compared to the Basketweave Tent Stitch, and is faster to execute than the Half-Cross Stitch.

What Type Of Thread Works Best For The Tent Stitch?

Perle cotton, wool, and silk threads are commonly used for the Tent Stitch due to their durability and ability to provide good coverage. The choice of thread depends on the desired texture and finish of the needlepoint project.

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.

Maisha Soumee

Maisha Soumee

Hi there! I’m Maisha Soumee, the proud torchbearer of our family’s sewing legacy and the driving force behind this website. With Grandma Manha’s teachings as my foundation, I’m honored to continue the tradition of craftsmanship and creativity. As a passionate seamstress, I’m dedicated to sharing the joy of sewing with you, our valued community.

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