Whipped Chain Stitch is a handy variety of chain stitch, as it creates a slightly stronger line than ordinary chain stitch. It stands a little more proud of the surface.
The thread you use to whip the foundation line of chain stitches can be of a contrasting colour or texture. You can also use many novelty threads with this technique too. Alternatively, you can use a thread of the same colour — as I have done in the sample above. I used Whipped Chain to outline the shape of each gecko before surrounding them in other forms of surface embroidery.
How to work Whipped Chain Stitch
To start, you need to know chain stitch, as the first step is to work a foundation row of Chain Stitch.
Make each chain stitch slightly longer and a little looser than normal, because the line of stitching will tighten slightly when you whip it, and you don’t want your work to pucker.
With a second thread, whip the foundation row by passing the needle under each chain stitch as illustrated. When you do this, take care not to pick up any of the fabric. Use a blunt-ended tapestry needle for the whipping to avoid splitting the chain stitches on the foundation row.
Continue until the end of the line.
This is a particularly useful stitch if a raised line is required on a delicate fine fabric that can not accept a heavy thread through the weave. You can work a foundation row of stitches in a fine thread then whip the line with a heavier thread.
Have you seen my Stitcher’s Templates?
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For more information, see what they look like, find out about the free ebook of patterns visit the information pages in the shop where you can also purchase them.
Pleased to know the different ways of whipping the foundation chain stitches. Thanks.
My samples are here.
http://hobbysewing.blogspot.com/2020/09/tast-35-beyond-tast-35.html
Thank you for the different versions of chain stitch. I use whipped chain stitch a lot as it makes such a lovely distinct line for stems etc. Can’t wait to try the ones you have illustrated.
2018 Stitch 20 Whipped Chain at https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/tast-roundup/
2018 stitch 20 – I included a short section of whipped chain on my TAST pennant: https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/tast-chain-stitch/
Love it Sharon! I am in the middle of making one of Dijanne Cevaal’s travellers blankets and using chain stitch a lot . This will be an interesting variation . Thank you so much. I am really enjoying doing the blanket. My theme is the Camel Estuary in Cornwall and the St Endellion Music Festival where we go every year.. Recent
Australian visitors to see Arthur Phillip’s grave at Bathampton church tell me there is quite a drought in parts of Australia. Hope you are OK. Best wishes Andy
Pleased you like it and are still enjoying Pintangle too! We are travelling at the moment so dont know about the drought but I think its north
Here are my whipped chain stitch experiments:
http://fat-quarter.blogspot.nl/2017/03/whipped-chain-stitch.html
It was fun to play with this stitch.
good stitching i need to learn about this
Excellent geckos sample, so full of texture and dimensional contrasts.
I will use this soon! You are so creative. Great colors!
Very cool. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us beginners. I love the look of this stitch and can’t wait to use it.
I love those lovely creamy oaty colours and decorative stitching. Great inspiration!