Shisha stitch is used for studding the fabric with mirrors. Shisha means mirror. It is often used on Indian textiles and dresses and gives a rich gypsy effect.

The first step involves fastening the mirror with the foundation stitches. These are simple long stitches about eight in number that pass over the shisha into the fabric. They need not be neat but tight enough to hold the mirror and towards the center.

Now bring the needle up alongside the shisha, pass the needle under the foundation threads, with the thread under the needle just as in a buttonhole stitch. Make a small stitch on the fabric along the mirror, with the thread under the needle again and pull. Pass the needle under the foundation threads. In the next stitch while making the small stitch alongside the mirror, stitch into the previous loop stitch.