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Embellish with Chain Stitch

I like to add fine details to my costumes, but ribbon is hard to find in very thin widths, 
so I resort to embroidering the edging lines using a chain-stitch. I've used it often.
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These two little dresses have both been embellished with chain-stitch embroidery.
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If you look very closely you can see that the embroidery is made up of a series of 
connected loops - a chain - hence the name "chain-stitch"

For my doll costuming I usually embroider with just two strands of embroidery floss, but for demonstration and photography purposes I will use the full six strands with a large darning needle.

Instructions

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1. Knot end of thread, and insert needle where you want to start the row of chain-stitching
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2. Insert needle in same spot where it came up out of the fabric, and reemerge at a short distance

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3. Pass the thread end, which is coming up out of the fabric, under the needle

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4. Pull needle, pulling thread to make loop
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5. Continue to pull thread until you make a small loop - not too tight
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6. Insert needle into same spot it came up last time, and reemerge the same distance as before

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7. Pass thread under needle, and pull thread to make loop.
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8. When loop is the same small size as first loop, reinsert the needle into the same spot it just came up out of. Pass thread under needle

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9. Continue working in same manner until embroidered line is finished - or you run out of thread. To end chain, insert needle down outside of end of last chain and tie off underneath.

Some more examples of chain-stitch embellishment...

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Double row gold chain-stitch along sleeve and neckline, as well as bodice curlicues.
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Carmine chain-stitch along dress front, edges of dagged sleeves, and on headdress.

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Gold chain-stitch along bodice edges
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Red chain-stitch around 
vest edges.
Copyright © 2012 Martha Boers
All Rights Reserved

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