So, you want to learn the embroidery chain stitch? It’s a good choice! It’s a basic stitch many people start with. This guide will show you how. It’s part of a hand embroidery stitches tutorial. We will cover how to start and end embroidery easily too. This guide is perfect as a basic embroidery stitches guide, especially for embroidery stitches for beginners.
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Getting Ready to Stitch
Before you start stitching, get your tools ready. This makes things much easier. You need a few things.
What You Need
You need fabric, thread, and a needle. These are your main tools.
- Fabric: Pick a fabric that works well for hand embroidery. Cotton or linen are good choices. They are easy to work with. Muslin or quilting cotton work too. Pick a fabric that is not too thin or too thick. A fabric with a plain weave is best. This means the threads cross over and under evenly. This helps your stitches look nice.
- Thread: You need embroidery thread. Cotton floss is very common. It comes in many colors. Embroidery floss is made of six small strands twisted together. You can use all six strands for a thick line. Or you can separate them. Use two or three strands for a thinner line. The number of strands changes how your stitch looks. Choose the color you like!
- Needle: Get an embroidery needle. These needles have a larger eye. The eye is the hole where the thread goes. A larger eye helps the thread go through easily. Embroidery needles also have a sharp point. This helps them go through the fabric easily. Needles come in different sizes. A higher number means a thinner needle. For example, a size 9 needle is thinner than a size 7. Match your needle size to your thread. Use a thinner needle for fewer strands of thread. Use a thicker needle for more strands.
- Hoop (Optional but Recommended): An embroidery hoop is helpful. It holds your fabric tight. This makes stitching easier. It helps keep your stitches even. A hoop is usually made of wood or plastic. It has two rings. You put the fabric between the rings. Then you tighten a screw. This makes the fabric taut like a drum.
Getting Your Thread Ready
Cut a length of embroidery thread. About 18 inches is a good length. If it is too long, it can tangle. If it is too short, you have to stop and start often. Separate the strands if you want a thinner stitch. Thread your needle. Now you are ready to start.
Starting Your Embroidery Thread
Learning how to start and end embroidery is important. There are a few ways to start. For beginners, a simple knot is easiest.
Simple Knot Start
- Take your threaded needle.
- Make a small knot at the end of the thread. Make the knot big enough so it does not pull through the fabric hole.
- Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric to the front.
- Pull the thread until the knot stops it on the back.
- Now you can make your first stitch.
Knotless Start (A Bit More Advanced)
Some people do not like knots. They can make the back of your work bumpy. A knotless start keeps the back flatter.
- Do not make a knot.
- Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric. Leave a tail of thread about an inch long on the back.
- Hold this tail against the back of the fabric.
- Make your first few stitches over this tail on the back.
- This traps the tail under the stitches. It holds the thread in place.
- After a few stitches, you can trim the extra tail.
For this guide, we will use the simple knot. It is easy for beginners.
Learning the Basic Chain Stitch
The chain stitch makes a line that looks like small loops linked together. Like a chain! It is a great stitch for making outlines or filling shapes. It is a key part of any basic embroidery stitches guide.
Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s make the first stitch. Use your hoop if you have one. Make sure your fabric is tight.
Step 1: Bring Thread Up
- Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric.
- Bring it up at the place where you want your stitch line to start. Let’s call this Point A.
- Pull the thread through until the knot stops it on the back.
Step 2: Make a Loop
- Now, put the needle back into the fabric very close to Point A. Put it in right next to where you came up. Let’s call this Point B.
- Do NOT pull the needle all the way through!
- Leave a loop of thread on the front of the fabric. The loop should be loose.
Step 3: Bring Needle Up Inside the Loop
- Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric again.
- Come up a short distance away from Point B. Let’s call this Point C. Point C is where you want the first loop of your chain to end. Think of how long you want one link of your chain to be. That is the distance between B and C.
- Crucially, make sure the point of your needle comes up inside the loop you left in Step 2.
Step 4: Finish the First Loop
- Pull the needle and thread through carefully.
- As you pull, the loop will get smaller.
- The needle comes up inside the loop at Point C.
- Pull the thread until the loop lies flat against the fabric. It should make a nice oval or teardrop shape.
- This is your first chain link!
Step 5: Start the Next Loop
- To make the next link, put your needle back into the fabric.
- Put it in right next to where you just came up (Point C). Put it in just outside the bottom of the loop you just made. Let’s call this Point D (which is basically the same spot as C, just going down now).
- Do NOT pull the needle all the way through!
- Leave a new loop of thread on the front, just like in Step 2.
Step 6: Bring Needle Up Inside the New Loop
- Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric again.
- Come up a short distance away from Point D. This distance will be the length of your next chain link. Let’s call this Point E.
- Make sure the point of your needle comes up inside the new loop you left in Step 5.
Step 7: Finish the Next Loop
- Pull the needle and thread through carefully.
- As you pull, the new loop will get smaller.
- The needle comes up inside the loop at Point E.
- Pull the thread until the loop lies flat against the fabric. It links onto the first loop.
- You have made your second chain link!
Step 8: Keep Stitching
- Repeat Steps 5, 6, and 7.
- Put the needle down right next to where you came up (Point E, going down, let’s call it Point F). Leave a loop.
- Bring the needle up further along your line (Point G). Make sure it comes up inside the loop.
- Pull through to make the next link.
- Keep doing this to make a line of chain stitches.
Important Pointers
- Tension: Keep your thread tension even. Do not pull too tight. If you pull too tight, the loops will be small and tight. This makes the chain look thin. If you pull too loose, the loops will be big and messy. Practice makes perfect tension.
- Stitch Length: Try to make each loop the same length. This makes your chain look neat and even.
- Path: The chain stitch follows a line well. You can draw a line on your fabric first. Then follow the line with your stitches. A water-soluble pen is good for this.
This step-by-step guide shows you the basics. It’s a simple way to learn this stitch. It’s a key part of embroidery stitches for beginners.
Comprehending the Stitch Action
Let’s think about what you are doing with each stitch. You are making a loop. Then you are bringing the thread up inside that loop. This makes the next loop catch the one before it. It links them together.
Imagine you are making tiny slip knots. But you are using the fabric to anchor them and connect them. The needle goes down almost in the same spot it came up for the previous stitch’s end point. Then it comes up further along, inside the loop you just made. This is the core idea of the chain stitch.
Practicing this movement helps you get a feel for the stitch. Try making a few lines of chain stitch. Do not worry if they are not perfect at first. Your tension and stitch length will get better with practice.
Stopping Your Embroidery Thread
Just like starting, you need to know how to finish your thread. This is part of how to start and end embroidery neatly. When you finish a line of stitching, or when your thread is running short, you need to secure it.
How to End Thread
- When you make your last chain link, do not make another loop.
- Instead, after you bring the needle up for the last time inside the loop, put the needle back down just outside the end of that last loop. Put it down on the other side of the loop from where the thread is coming out.
- This makes a tiny straight stitch over the end of the last loop. It holds the loop in place.
- Bring the needle to the back of the fabric.
- On the back, run the needle under a few of the stitches you just made. Weave the thread tail under the back of your chain stitches.
- Do this for about an inch.
- Pull gently and trim the thread close to the fabric. The stitches on the back hold the thread in place.
This method keeps the back of your work neat. It also makes sure your stitches do not come undone.
Exploring Chain Stitch Variations
The basic chain stitch is just the start! There are many chain stitch variations. Learning them adds more tools to your embroidery kit. These variations can look very different from the basic stitch. They are great for decorative embroidery stitches.
Lazy Daisy (Detached Chain Stitch)
This is one of the easiest chain stitch variations. It is just one single chain link. It is not connected to make a line.
- Make one single chain link as described in Steps 1-4 of the basic stitch guide.
- Instead of starting a new loop (Step 5), put your needle back down just outside the end of the single loop you just made. This is like the ending step for a line of chain stitch (Step 2 in “How to End Thread”).
- Pull the thread to the back and secure it.
Lazy Daisy stitches are used to make small petals, leaves, or dots. You can arrange them in a circle to make a flower shape.
Twisted Chain Stitch
This variation creates a chain that looks a bit thicker and more ropelike. It is another cool decorative embroidery stitch.
- Start like the basic chain stitch (Step 1: Bring thread up at Point A).
- Make a loop (Step 2: Put needle down at Point B, leave loop).
- Now, instead of coming up inside the loop, you bring the needle up just outside the loop on one side. Let’s say you came up at Point A, went down at Point B (next to A), and the loop goes upwards. For twisted chain, bring your needle up at Point C which is to the side of the loop, but further up the line you want to follow.
- With the needle tip inside the loop you left, pull the thread through.
- The thread will twist as you pull it through the side of the loop.
- To make the next stitch, put the needle down right next to where you just came up (Point C, going down). Leave a loop.
- Bring the needle up further along the line (Point E), again just outside the loop on the same side as before.
- Pull through inside the loop.
- Keep doing this. The stitches will link but have a twist to them.
This stitch is good for outlines that need a bit more texture. It is a specific type of chain stitch variations.
Heavy Chain Stitch
This stitch makes a much wider, bolder line. It uses two loops for each link.
- Start with a regular chain stitch link (Steps 1-4 of basic guide).
- Now, instead of putting the needle down right next to where you came up to start the next link, you put the needle down backwards. Put it into the fabric inside the previous loop, near where the base of that loop is.
- Leave a loop of thread.
- Bring the needle up further along the line, inside this new loop.
- Pull through.
- This creates a thicker link. It’s a bit tricky at first, but makes a great decorative line.
Zig Zag Chain Stitch
As the name suggests, this stitch makes a chain that zig zags. It’s made by changing the angle where you bring the needle up inside the loop.
- Make the first chain link (Steps 1-4).
- For the next stitch, put the needle down next to where you came up, leaving a loop.
- Bring the needle up to the side of the center line, inside the loop. Pull through. This makes the loop go to one side.
- For the next stitch, put the needle down next to where you just came up, leaving a loop.
- Bring the needle up to the other side of the center line, inside the loop. Pull through. This makes the loop go to the other side.
- Keep switching sides where you bring the needle up. This creates a zig zag pattern.
These variations show how one basic stitch can change a lot. They are all part of chain stitch variations and add to your skills. They are good decorative embroidery stitches.
Using the Chain Stitch
The chain stitch is useful for many things in embroidery. It is one of the best outline stitches embroidery has. It is also good for filling areas.
For Outlines
- Draw a line or a shape on your fabric.
- Use the basic chain stitch to follow the line. The connected loops make a solid-looking line.
- This is great for outlining letters, shapes, or parts of a design.
- Twisted chain stitch or heavy chain stitch also make great outlines. They create a different look.
For Filling Areas
- You can use chain stitch to fill shapes.
- Stitch rows of chain stitch close together.
- You can stitch in straight rows. Or you can follow the curve of the shape.
- Filling with chain stitch creates a textured surface.
For Decorative Lines
- Use chain stitch on its own to make decorative lines.
- Mix different chain stitch variations in one design.
- Use different colors of thread.
- Chain stitch is a strong, visible stitch. It adds nice detail.
Chain stitch is a very flexible stitch. Once you know how to do the basic one, you can find many ways to use it. It’s a core stitch in a hand embroidery stitches tutorial.
Getting Better: Simple Tips
Learning embroidery stitches for beginners takes practice. Here are a few simple tips to help you get better.
- Practice on Scrap Fabric: Do not start on your final project. Get a small piece of cheap fabric. Practice making lines of chain stitch. Practice starting and ending. This helps you get a feel for the stitch without worrying about messing up your project.
- Use a Hoop: A hoop really helps keep your fabric smooth. This makes it easier to make even stitches. Make sure the fabric is pulled tight, but not so tight that it is stretched out of shape.
- Draw Your Lines: For outlines or shapes, draw them on the fabric first. Use a pen that will disappear (like heat-erasable or water-soluble). This gives you a guide to follow. It helps keep your stitch line straight or curved correctly.
- Good Lighting: Work in a place with good light. This helps you see your stitches clearly. It helps you put your needle in the right spot.
- Do Not Rush: Embroidery is not a race. Take your time. Make each stitch carefully. This leads to a better-looking result.
- Manage Your Thread: Do not use thread that is too long. It will knot up easily. If it starts to twist, let the needle hang free for a moment. This lets the thread untwist itself.
- Check the Back: Look at the back of your work sometimes. See how your thread is secured. See if you are trapping the tail correctly if you are doing a knotless start. The back can tell you things about your tension and method.
Following these tips will help you master the chain stitch. They are good tips for any hand embroidery stitches tutorial.
Comparing Chain Stitch to Other Stitches
How is chain stitch different from other stitches? Think about stitches like backstitch or running stitch.
- Running Stitch: This is the simplest stitch. It is just a line of dashes. The needle goes down, then up a bit further, then down, then up. It makes a broken line. Chain stitch makes a connected, solid line.
- Backstitch: This makes a solid line too. But it is made by stitching backward. You make a stitch, then bring the needle up ahead, and go back to meet the end of the last stitch. Chain stitch is made by stitching forwards, looping through the last stitch. Backstitch makes a flatter line. Chain stitch has more texture and height.
Chain stitch is often used for similar things as backstitch (like outlines). But it gives a different look and feel. It is one of the main outline stitches embroidery uses when a slightly raised line is wanted.
FAQ: Questions People Ask
Here are some common questions about the chain stitch and starting embroidery.
Q: My chain stitches are not linking. What am I doing wrong?
A: Make sure you are bringing the needle up inside the loop you left on the fabric. If you bring the needle up outside the loop, the new stitch will not catch the old one. Go back to Step 3 or Step 6 in the guide. Check that your needle point is inside the thread loop before you pull it through.
Q: My stitches are too tight or too loose.
A: This is about thread tension. Do not pull the thread too hard when you finish each loop. Pull just enough so the loop lies flat. If your stitches are too loose, you might not be pulling enough. Practice helps find the right tension. Using a hoop helps keep the fabric steady, which makes controlling tension easier.
Q: My thread keeps tangling.
A: Your thread might be too long. Try cutting shorter pieces (18 inches is a good start). Also, let the needle hang sometimes. This lets the thread unwind. Embroidery thread can twist as you stitch.
Q: Can I use different types of thread?
A: Yes! While cotton floss is common, you can use other threads. Pearl cotton thread is another option. It is not divisible into strands. It gives a smooth, slightly shiny look. Silk ribbon can even be used for a very large, decorative chain stitch. The look of your stitch will change with different threads.
Q: Is chain stitch good for filling large areas?
A: Yes, it can be used for filling. Stitch rows close together. You can stitch straight rows or follow curves. It gives a raised, textured fill. For a flatter fill, satin stitch or long and short stitch might be better, but chain stitch is a valid choice for a different effect.
Q: How do I make my stitches the same size?
A: Try to bring your needle up the same distance away from where you put it down each time. This sets the length of the loop. Drawing a line or dots on your fabric first can help you guide your stitch length.
Finishing Up
Learning the chain stitch is a great step in hand embroidery. It is a useful stitch. It is good for outlines. It is good for filling areas. It is good for making decorative lines. This guide gave you the steps to make the basic stitch. It showed you how to start and end your thread. It talked about materials like embroidery thread and needle and fabric for hand embroidery. We also looked at some chain stitch variations like the twisted chain stitch.
Keep practicing! The more you stitch, the better you will become. Soon you will be making beautiful things with your chain stitch. This basic embroidery stitches guide is just the start of your journey. Enjoy your stitching!