Also known as : chequered chain stitch
This is a little tricky for the first time doers. So be careful not to twine the threads too much in the process, and keep slow pace and patience. Magic chain stitch is a wonderful stitch, which uses two (or more) colors alternately to form the chain sequence. Check the notes at the end of this lesson for tips while doing this stitch.
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| Fig 1: Use two colored threads of equal thickness and pull it through one needle. | ||
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| Fig 2: Since this follows the chain stitch procedure, position the needle the way we would in chain stitch, as shown above. | Fig 3: Now, loop ONLY the first color of thread around the needle. I have looped the purple thread first. | |
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| Fig 4: Pull out the needle to get one loop of the first color. | Fig 5: Now, put in the needle for the next loop, as we would in chain stitch. | |
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| Fig 6: Loop around the second color this time. | Fig 7: Pull out the needle and you will see a loop of the second color. | |
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| Fig 8: Continue the process of this chain stitching, looping each color alternatley, to get a pattern like shown above. | ||
Note:
In the process, you will notice that the threads might get twined. So, take time and patience to untwine it before continuing.
One tip I can suggest to avoid any twining or frustrations is this: When pulling out the needle after looping the thread, try to first take out the needle completely, but don’t pull out the threads completely. Now, using your fingers, pull out the unlooped color first and then the looped color. This way, both threads get enough space to pull themselves out without twining into each other.
So, for instance, take the Fig 6 of the lesson. We have looped the pink thread. Now we pull out the needle from the fabric, then use our fingers to pull out only the purple thread first. You will see that it disappears into the fabric. Now, pull the pink thread to tighten the pink loop. The work comes out neat and less complicated this way.
Try doing magic chain stitch with three colored threads.
Tags: embroidery tutorial, hand embroidery tutorials, magic chain stitch
why magic? due to alternating threads appearing in the stitch?
yes! it is quite ‘magical’ to see that you get alternate colors for each loop. It gets more interesting with more number of colors.
indeed its magical….simples strands of thread giving beautiful shapes to our vivid imaginations…:))
well, i have one more name for this particular stitch coz of resemblance…’Dragon Stitch’…hehe
i think the dragon look is cuz of the design, and not the stitch!
Excellent tutorial
preeta
WOW!!!! So beautiful
Hi Sarah,
Why don’t you have videos for tuff stiches? It would be more helpful.
Nandhini
Dear Nandhini,
Your idea to have video tutorial for tough stitches is good. However, right now, we will be working only with picture tutorials. Every effort is being put in to make it as simple and easy as possible. We also welcome suggestions and corrections that would help to make the tutorials much simpler, even for total beginners.
I much prefer photo tutorials to videos. Photo tutorials I can look at and work on while having a conversation or watching TV, or just when I need to work in silence. I don’t need to pause or try to find the exact frame that represents where I went wrong. I can print it for reference. It’s very convenient!
I’m learning to embroider for my Halloween costume and I really appreciate your site. Well done, clear, and beginner-friendly, and there’s a nice variety of stitches here, too. I love it!
Hi sarah,
fantastic, I should say for a beginner like me I could u/stand every part of the tutorial. Great work! Keep up the good work .
Very very interesting. Thank you so much !
Dear Sri,
It is wonderful to have comments like yours. Our pages were created especially with total beginners like you in mind, and words like these from you makes us happy and our work worthwhile.
Dear Sarah,
The tutorial is very good. Keep up the good work. have a nice day!
Dear Sarah,
You are doing a wonderful job. Keep up the great work.
Dear Sarah anty,
this stich is veryyyy beautiful !!
Excellent work Sarah. Keep it up!
I would like to know the stitches used in banjara embroidery with the designs. I hope I will get a positive response to this.
Hello Varsha,
I am working on some banjara embroidery and patterns…I might upload something on mirror work and kutch work next time, but hope you will bear with the time it takes.
I love your tutorials! I’m wondering what kind of thread you use. I’m usually only able to afford the cheap stuff from Michael’s, but since it tends to unravel pretty easily I want to occasionally spring for a slightly better quality thread. Thanks!
Dear Alie,
Here, in this post, I have used cotton floss (3 strands each). I usually use Anchor cotton floss. If you check the ‘chain stitch family’, I have used perle cotton. It is non divisible, but comes in various thickness. You might want to use perle cotton for some embroideries as they have good sheen and are easier to work with.
Hope this helped.