A kind of stitch in ornamental needlework, producing a decorated zigzag line. (See quot.)
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, Feather Stitch.—The two varieties of this stitch are the Opus Plumarium of ancient writers, used at that period and at the present time for filling in Embroideries worked in silk and crewels upon silk, cloth, and serge materials, and Feather and Double Feather Stitch used to make the ornamental lines that decorate underlinen and children’s dresses.
attrib. 1876. Rock, Text. Fabr., viii. 81. This style was aptly called ‘feather-stitch’ work, in contradistinction to that done in cross and tent stitch, or the ‘cushion-style.’
Hence Feather-stitch v., Feather-stitching vbl. sb. (in quot. concr.)
1884. Draper’s Price List, Longcloth, scallop, feather stitched.
1891. Miss Dowie, Girl in Karp., xii. 149. The … feather-stitching on my pink shirt.
