How To Embroider A Chain Stitch
This step by step tutorial will show you how to do a chain stitch, a fundamental embroidery stitch that everyone should learn. Despite it’s intricate appearance, it’s surprisingly simple and ideal for beginners!
First, you’ll learn how to work this stitch along a straight line. Then, I’ll share some tips for stitching along curves and filling in shapes. Finally, I’ll share with you some more interesting variations of this stitch.
Chain Stitch Tutorial
Bring the needle and thread up through the fabric. Then insert the needle back down where the working thread is.
Bring the needle to the back of the fabric, gently pulling the working thread so a small loop forms on the surface of the fabric. Skip a stitch length ahead, placing the tip of the needle through the loop.
Pull the working thread to secure the loop. To set up the next stitch, place your needle back down at the top of the loop where the working thread is emerging.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 the desired length.
To end a line of stitches, place the needle directly above the last loop to anchor the stitch.
Chain Stitch Video Tutorial
Want to learn even more embroidery stitches?
This workbook is NOT your usual stitch encyclopedia. Most embroidery books don’t actually show you how you can use each embroidery stitch and they also don’t come with many tips. This workbook is packed full of helpful information to make you a better, more confident stitcher.
It comes with:
- embroidery stitch tutorials
- helpful tips for each stitch that will maximize your learning and improve the way your embroidery looks
- fun, modern embroidery patterns you can use to learn the stitches with ease
Playing With Texture And Appearance
The chain stitch is incredibly versatile. It can be used as an outline stitch for things like decorative borders and embroidering letters. You can also use it to fill in shapes that you want to add more texture to or even create small flowers.
The shape of the chain stitch changes whenever the space between the stitches shortens or lengthens. Smaller stitches tend to create a more rounded appearance while longer stitches have more of a tear drop shape.
The chain stitch can also be used as a filling stitch. Many different textured effects can be achieved depending on the direction you make the stitches.
Embroidering Along Curves and Circles
To make tight curves appear smoother, shorten the stitch length.
To seamlessly end a circle of stitches, place your needle underneath the first stitch you made.
Then place your needle and thread down where the working thread emerges at the top of the last stitch.
Ending the stitch this way makes it virtually impossible to see the start and end of the stitches!
Chain Stitch Variations
- If you’re having trouble getting the stitches nice and even, there is yet another way to try making this stitch, which is called the reverse chain stitch. You may find this method easier and it looks exactly the same, so give it a try!
- Create a lazy daisy flower using detached (singular) chain stitches
- The heavy chain stitch creates a thicker line of stitches which is great for bold borders.
- And then there is the Hungarian braided chain stitch, which is similar to the heavy chain stitch but with a slightly different woven appearance.
- The raised chain stitch is a unique variation that sits on top of the fabric.
- A fun trick to learn is the magic chain stitch, which makes it easy to stitch alternating colors along a single line.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, check out this page that features even more embroidery stitches to learn.
Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.
