How-To Chain Stitch

Learn how-to chain stitch in #TechniqueTuesday with Fiona Goble and then create her chain stitch love embroidery.

Step 1
Some sturdy fabric, embroidery floss, an embroidery needle, some small sharp scissors and a water-soluble pen - a special felt-tip pen whose ink disappears when sprayed or dabbed with water. (You could use a quilter's pencil if you prefer but I find the pens much easier.)
Step 2
Using your water-soluble pen, write the word or words you want to embroider on your fabric. My letters are 0.75-1.5 in high.
Step 3
Divide the 6 strands of your embroidery floss into two, so each length contains 3 strands. Thread your needle and bring it up at the starting point of your work. You are now ready to work your first chain stitch.
Step 4
Take your needle back down into your starting point. Then take it out again a little further on.
Step 5
Pull your needle through your work, remembering to tuck the little loop you are making under the needle so it doesn't disappear. You have now made your first chain stitch.
Step 6
You are now ready to work your second stitch. Take your needle back down through the first chain, at the exact point where you pulled your floss through. Then take it out again a little further on, like you did when you made your first stitch.
Step 7
Pull your needle through you work again, like you did in step 5. You have now created your second chain stitch.
Step 8
Carry on working chain stitches till you come to the end of your letter. To turn a corner, you simply take your needle back into you last stitch in the normal way. But you take it out again to one side, rather than further along the line.
Step 9
When you come to the end, take your needle over the last chain you have worked to secure it and out through the back of your work. Secure your floss and fasten off. You can work joined up letters in a continuous line of chain stitch. If you need to join a new length of floss, simply fasten the existing piece off in the normal way and bring your new length out through the last chain worked.
Step 10
When you have finished your work, spray or dab it with water to get rid of the water-soluble pen marks. Dry it, press it lightly if you want to and display. You could also embellish it if you want to - with buttons, sequins or whatever you like.