Chain stitch – The loveliest of embroidery stitches. It's a wonderful way to sew outlines and lettering on your embroidery projects that stands out in a bolder outline than backstitch or running stitch. Read on to find out how to chain stitch, step by step.
To use your new skills to create a lovely personalised embroidery hoop, draw your initial onto the fabric then chain stitch over it, adding the flowers and leaves as decoration.
Our how to do chain stitch video guide to show how to work this stitch in motion. If you prefer to have photographs and a written walkthrough, scroll down for our How to do Chain stitch step-by-step written instructions, too.
If you want to follow along with the video, download our Free floral embroidery pattern, then print out and trace the floral motif onto your fabric to stitch over with lovely chain stitches!
If you are taking your first steps in embroidery, take a look at our embroidery for beginners guide
Stylish stitches
Learn a traditional technique that is also incredibly trendy with our Sashiko patterns and projects for beginners article.
How to sew chain stitch
You can choose to follow this chain stitch tutorial by making your own freehand design, or if you would like to embroider your own initials you can always use our Free chain stitch alphabet template (as featured in Simply Sewing magazine issue 8).
