Chain Stitch

The Chain Stitch is a method of embroidering by which the stitches resemble a chain. This stitch is very useful to know. Not only is it a beautiful outline stitch but it is also the starting point for many other stitches.

This stitch has been around for centuries. It was an important factor in ecclesiastical embroidery of the fourteenth century and is still in use for this class of work. Today, it is more commonly used by embroiderers for outlining purposes.

To work this stitch, bring the needle from the back of the material up in the line to be embroidered; put the needle down close to the place which it came out, but on the right side; repeat; holding the thread down with the left thumb, and bring the needle out upon the line but one-eighth of an inch below where it was inserted, and over the thread held down. Continue in this manner, always inserting the needle inside the loop of the last stitch, and being careful to take the same number of threads on the needle for each stitch. The result is a chain of stitches, appearing somewhat like links. See illustration below.