How to Do Chain Stitch: Easy Step-by-Step Embroidery Guide
A bold, loopy stitch perfect for outlines, lettering, and adding decorative texture to your designs.
What Is Chain Stitch?
Chain stitch is a beautiful embroidery stitch that creates a series of linked loops, a bit like a chain—hence the name. It’s a great choice for decorative outlines, borders, and adding texture to petals, leaves or stitched letters.
The linked appearance gives your stitching a lovely hand-drawn feel and works well in both curved and straight lines. Once you get into the rhythm, it’s a really satisfying stitch to work with, and surprisingly easy to master.
If you want to add extra character or texture to your embroidery, chain stitch is a brilliant one to learn.
How to Do Chain Stitch (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Bring your needle up at point 1.
- Step 2: Insert it back into the same hole, leaving a small loop of thread on the surface.
- Step 3: Bring the needle up again a short distance away (point 3), making sure the loop sits underneath the needle.
- Step 4: Gently pull your thread through to form the loop.
- Step 5: Repeat to form a chain. At the end of your row, secure the final loop with a small straight stitch over the last loop.
Hope you’ve enjoyed learning this stitch.
While you’re here, why not check out my beginner-friendly embroidery kits and patterns?
Tips for Tidy Chain Stitch
- Keep your loops the same size by maintaining even tension with each stitch.
- Use a slightly thicker thread if you want bold, visible chains.
- For tighter curves, use smaller stitches to keep the loops neat.
