Chain stitch is an embroidery technique in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. Chain stitch is an ancient craft – examples of surviving Chinese chain stitch embroidery worked in silk thread have been dated to the Warring States period (5th-3rd century BC).
Handmade chain stitch embroidery does not require that the needle pass through more than one layer of fabric.
For this reason the stitch is an effective surface embellishment near seams on finished fabric. Because chain stitches can form flowing, curved lines, they are used in many surface embroidery styles that mimic “drawing” in thread. (Wikipedia)
- Bring the thread out at top of line and hold down with left thumb.
- Insert the needle where it last emerged and bring the point out a short distance away.
- Pull the thread through, keeping the working thread under the needle point.
