In embroidery, the pattern of the chain stitch is considered one of the simplest. This is a very ancient technique, which is still actively used in needlework. This seam is convenient to fill in the empty spaces in the picture, as well as to outline the contours of all kinds of leaves, flowers and other elements of the embroidered picture. It is incredibly flexible and plastic: any rounded shapes and spiral arcs can be done with a chain stitch. Nevertheless, many craftswomen avoid using it in their work. If you are not very confident in your embroidery technique, you will certainly find useful instructions and detailed instructions on how to sew a chain stitch. There are three possible ways to accomplish this simple element.
Ordinary seam
- Start with a simple stitch on the prepared fabric. You need a regular stitch of a small size - specific parameters do not have much significance, but its length should not exceed 6-7 mm. This will be the first "link" of the future chain. To make a simple stitch, pierce the fabric with the needle from the wrong side, bring the thread to the front side and pass it through the fabric at a short distance from the first puncture.
- Make the first loop without pulling the stitch to the end and passing the thread through the arcing. As a result, the initial fragment of the seam will become the basis of the future chain, and a new puncture will need to be performed to the side of it - to the left or right. The scheme of the vestibule seam implies bulkiness and some splendor, so if the first loop is too tight, you will need to expand it with the tip of the embroidery needle. Pass the thread into the stitch in such a way as to ensure its moderate tension (if you overdo it, you can unintentionally wrinkle the fabric).
Continuation
- Bring the needle to the front of the fabric in the same place where you made the second puncture. Then measure the length of the initial stitch by eye and follow in the direction of the stitches. The seam will take the form of interconnected narrow ovals - unique links of a single chain.
- Return to the area under the top of each stitch to embroider the next.
- To complete the embroidery, fasten the last “link” with the usual “forward needle” stitch. It must be very small so that the pattern of the vestibule seam remains intact and unscathed.
Volumetric seam
- The work begins in the same order as when performing a simpler, classic version of embroidery. The volumetric version is best suited for the decoration of picturesque silhouettes and "heavy" borders. To get started, do the first loop without changes.
- The method differs from the previous one starting from the second "link". It begins as usual, however, to complete the loop, you need to draw a needle with thread not through the first link, but through the initial stitch at the base of the seam. After that, the needle must be removed to the previous puncture.
- The third link goes through the first and second. For this purpose, the needle is held under both previous loops at the same time. This is a very important point on which the whole scheme of the chain stitch in its volumetric version depends. Starting from this stage, you can no longer pay attention to the initial stitch.
- Repeat the above steps until you reach the desired length of the picture. Each time, leading the needle to the front of the fabric, pass the thread through the last two loops. If you carefully follow the instructions, a thick chain will begin to form on the canvas, which seems very strong and impressive.
Rope seam
Embroidery with a tambour seam, the schemes of which are quite simple, hides the uninteresting nuances of the design of paintings. Many craftswomen are able to perform only the classic seam, some - its volumetric version. But there is also a little-known version of the "vestibule" - the so-called "rope" chain, which in appearance resembles a real rope or even a rope. Learning to embroider it yourself is not as difficult as it seems.
- If you already know how to sew with a chain stitch, do not let the new needlework technique confuse yourself. Yes, usually the beginning of embroidery is preceded by an initial stitch, from which chain links sequentially exit. However, to create a “rope” effect, you only need to bring the needle to the front of the fabric.
- Wrap the working thread around the needle near its tip. Turn the needle so that it is in front of the thread and make one full turn, tightening the stitch loop around the tool.
- Gather a small piece of fabric onto the needle. To do this, pierce the fabric near the first puncture and, in no case pulling the thread, bring the needle to the wrong side at a certain distance.
- Pass the needle over the working thread. You got the first stitch.
Embroidery with a chain stitch, even in its “rope” version, continues according to a similar principle. Having mastered all three types of decorative embroidery, you will be able to create whole pictures with just one vestibule seam.