Ah chain stitch! The loveliest of embroidery stitches (discuss!), 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.
We've made this 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.
Before you begin, download our Free floral embroidery pattern – now print out and trace the floral motif onto your fabric to stitch over with lovely chain stitches! Template design: by Lisa Jones. Stitching & instructions by Zoe Patching.
Download the full Free chain stitch alphabet pattern here (as featured in Simply Sewing magazine issue 8).
If you are taking your first steps in embroidery, take a look at our embroidery for beginners guide