Damask Darning

This is the latest stitch I have learned on my 100 Stitches list.  This is Damask Darning.  It is a filling stitch made up of columns of short slanted stitches: 

The slanted stitches need to be evenly spaced and each  the same size. To ensure that I do that, I am using an even-weave fabric:

The first step is to bring the needle up through the fabric:

form the first slanted stitch by going back into the fabric, making a note of how many spaces to the right and how many rows down:

and pulling the thread all the way through.  Form the next slanted stitch directly under the first one:

Continue these steps and then start on the next column of slanted stitches:

The stitches will be the same length in each row:

Start the third column the same way:

Continue filling in with slanted stitch columns.

This is a beautiful stitch and would be perfect to fill large areas in an embroidery project.  

I found this stitch in the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.