Bayeux Stitch: How to Do It by Hand

Bayeux stitch is a way to fill large shapes quickly with very little thread on the back. Long threads are laid side by side across the shape, then held down by threads laid across them, which are in turn tied down with tiny stitches. It takes its name from the Bayeux Tapestry, the eleventh-century embroidery, nearly 70 metres long, that tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Despite its name, the Tapestry is embroidered, not woven: coloured wool on linen, with the figures filled in Bayeux stitch and outlined in stem or outline stitch.

How to do Bayeux stitch, in short: fill the shape with long parallel stitches laid edge to edge, each going down on the far side and coming back up on the near side. Lay single threads across them at right angles, 5–8 mm apart. Tie each crossing thread down with small stitches every 3–5 mm. Outline the shape last.

Difficulty	Beginner to intermediate
Used for	Large flat fills, figures, animals, banners, historical replicas
Thread	Crewel wool (traditional) or 3–4 strands of stranded cotton
Needle	Crewel needle, size 5–7
Stitch size	Laid threads edge to edge; crossing threads 5–8 mm apart

What You Need

Linen or linen twill in a tight hoop or frame: the long laid threads need a drum-tight base. See our guide to transferring embroidery patterns to fabric.
Wool or a soft cotton. Crewel wool spreads and covers best; see our guide to crewel embroidery.
A second colour (optional) for the couching threads.

How to Work Bayeux Stitch

Lay the first layer: bring the needle up on one edge of the shape and go down on the opposite edge. Come back up on the same side you went down, right next to it, and lay the next thread back across. Only tiny stitches show on the back.
Cover the shape with laid threads lying edge to edge, with no fabric showing.
Lay the crossing threads: lay single long threads across the first layer at right angles, spaced 5–8 mm apart.
Couch them down: with a fine thread, make tiny stitches over each crossing thread every 3–5 mm, going through the laid layer into the fabric.
Outline: finish the edge with stem stitch or outline stitch to hide the ends of the laid threads.

Tips for an Even Fill

Lay the threads in the direction the shape would naturally run: along the body of a horse, across a sail.
Start in the middle of a shape and work out to each side, so the threads stay parallel.
Do not pull the laid threads; they should rest on the fabric.
Keep the couching stitches in line across rows, or stagger them for a brick-like pattern.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Problem	Why it happens	Fix
Fabric shows through	Laid threads spaced apart	Lay each thread right against the last.
Laid threads sag	Crossing threads too far apart	Space them 5–8 mm apart and couch every 3–5 mm.
Puckered shape	Laid threads pulled tight, or slack frame	Lay threads without tension; tighten the frame.
Ragged edge	No outline	Outline the shape with stem or outline stitch.

Bayeux Stitch vs Couching vs Satin Stitch

Bayeux stitch: a full laid layer held by couched crossing threads; fast, economical and flat.
Couching: a single laid thread held down by small stitches, for lines rather than fills.
Satin stitch: a smooth fill that uses the same amount of thread on the back as on the front; best for small shapes.

For an overview of all the basic stitches, see our complete guide to hand embroidery stitches.