Chain Stitch - Learn How to Do This Modern Embroidery Technique

Introduction

Chain stitch is a lovely technique where loops are linked together, forming a line with a chain-like effect. This versatile technique is quite a fun way to create textured lines and shapes. It’s also quite a forgiving option for filling a shape with lots of lovely texture.

Let’s try it out:

Step 1

Start by bringing your needle up from the back of the fabric to the front, at the start of your line. Gently pull the working thread through to the front, so that your knot secures the thread at the back.

Step 2

Use your non-stitching (‘other’) hand to lay the thread out in the direction the line is heading in, and press it against the fabric to hold it in place.  

Step 3

Poke your needle back down into the same hole as you came up from (or right next to it). Take care to avoid your knot.

Step 4

Slowly pull the working thread through, but stop when you’ve formed a loop on top of the fabric. Your other hand’s job is to keep the thread in position, guiding the loop to form whereyou want it. If the loop isn't quite right—maybe it's twisted or facing the wrong direction—no worries! You can easily adjust and arrange it as needed.

Step 5

Bring your needle back up inside the loop, a stitch length ahead.

Step 6

Gently pull the working thread, extending it away from the pointed end of the loop. Pull slowly, and notice how the loop tightens as you increase the tension. The tighter you pull, the narrower your loop will be, and vice versa. So far, this is similar to Lazy Daisy.

Step 7

Poke the needle back down just beside where you last came up - inside the tip of the loop.

Step 8

Go ahead and form another big loop, and bring your needle up a stitch length ahead inside that loop.

Step 9

Pull through the working thread to tighten the loop up. See how you’ve now got two loops, which are starting to form the chain effect? Keep up the great work!

Step 10

Keep making loops along the line, and see how each loop secures the previous one in place.

Step 11

After forming your last loop, do a little securing stitch over the end. This will hold it firmly to the fabric, and make sure the whole chain is secured in place.

Step 12

When you've finished stitching, secure and tidy away your thread, using our usual method.

Restarting your thread mid-chain: Do the little securing stitch on your final chain. Then bring your new thread up inside that chain, and restart the process. 

Chain Stitch Techniques:

• Tension is key: The look of this stitch will be determined by how tight you pull each loop! Tighter equals narrow loops, and vice versa. Have a play around with this, and see how it affects the shape of your loops.

  
  

• Chain Stitch as a filler: This is a wonderfully textured way to fill an area of your design. To do this, work rows of chain stitch so that they sit nice and flush with each other, covering the space.

Examples of Chain Stitch in my patterns

Here's my Little Wildflower Meadow pattern. See the flower on the left? The stalk is made up of lovely little chain stitches. 

Another example is my pattern The Night Before Christmas. Check out the basket, and how it's filled with Chain Stitch. Isn't that beautiful?