Chapter VII: Chain Stitches

The chain stitches are closely related to the buttonhole stitches.

COMMON CHAIN STITCH.]

_A._ _=Common Chain Stitch.=_--The common chain stitch may be said to be the buttonhole stitch carried down a line by its length instead of from left to right proceeding by its width. The consecutive stitches are started from within the lower end of each preceding loop; a line of link-like loop stitches will thus be formed. See Fig. VII _a_.

_B._ _=Rope Stitch.=_--This is a modification of the common chain stitch. It is commenced the same as the chain but the successive stitches are taken by sending the needle down back of the last-loop instead of through it. The loop is formed as in the chain. This makes a very pretty ridged line when done in heavy silks such as Corticelli Roman Floss or Rope Silk. See Fig. VII _b_.

_C._ _=Single Reverse Chain Stitch.=_--To outline with the Reverse Chain Stitch it is necessary first to lay a simple stitch on the surface; bring the needle up below the end of this, at a distance of the length of a stitch from it; now pass the needle, eye first, behind the first stitch, not through the fabric; then draw through the length of the thread, insert the point of the needle close beside the point where it came up, and bring it out below again, the distance of the length of the preceding stitch; again pass the needle back of the chain loop, just laid, as it was in the first place passed back of the simple stitch; continue these laid loops along the line to be covered. See Fig. VII _c_.

_D._ _=Double Reverse Chain Stitch.=_--To form the double reverse chain proceed in the same way to the point of the first "single reverse chain stitch," but instead of sending the needle down the distance of a stitch below, insert it the same but bring it out just to the right or at about the point where the thread leaves the fabric. Draw this tiny stitch through and pass the needle again back of the simple stitch, thus forming a double loop. Send it down again on the point to the left of the start and out the length of a stitch below on the outline. The next stitches are taken in the same way, passing the needle back of the loops as in the first case back of the simple stitch. See Fig. VII _d_.

_E._ _=Double Chain Stitch.=_--Formed by laying two rows of simple chain parallel to each other and catching them together by a regular over stitch passed through the inner edges of each of the two rows alternately. See Fig. VII _e_.

_F._ _=Cable Stitch.=_--Similar to the rope stitch. The difference lies in sending the needle down a little below the point where the thread leaves the ground material at the base of the loop instead of back or within the loop. This forms a chain of open links. See Fig. VII _f._

_G._ _=Beading Stitch.=_--A chain stitch taken horizontally over the thread as it is carried along an outline, thus forming a knot at regular spaces on a seemingly placed line of the silk. See Fig. VII _g_.

_H._ _=Bird's Eye Stitch.=_--Formed like the chain loops but grouped about a center. Small radiating devices can be very successfully embroidered in this way; the effect of small petals as in daisies is very good. The loop is fastened by a tiny stitch at its base and the needle again brought out at the center. See Fig. VII _h_.

The "Tambour Stitch" is the chain executed with a small hook, which is pushed up and down through the fabric. It is a Turkish embroidery and very like machine work. There are various other modifications of these chain stitches.