How to Stitch a Butterfly Chain

The butterfly chain stitch is mainly used for decorative purposes on many different types of fabric. It's a two-part stitch, and you create vertical stitches, using another stitch to tie the groupings together. It creates a distinctive new look that adds a elegance to your needlework project.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Tapestry needle
• Thread
• Scissors

1. Thread your tapestry needle and secure a small knot at the end of the working thread.

2. Come up through the back of your fabric where you would like to begin your butterfly chain stitch.

3. Push your needle back through the fabric, creating a vertical line stitch.

4. Bring your needle back up through the fabric to create a second and third vertical line stitch right next to the first one.

5. Leave a space after the 3 straight stitches, and then start another group of 3 stitches. Repeat this until you have completed the area you would like to have filled in with a butterfly chain stitch.

6. Come back through the line groupings, moving from right to left. Use a twisted chain stitch to stitch each of the groups of straight stitches together.

7. Secure the thread at the back of the fabric and use your scissors to snip the excess thread.

Tips & Warnings

• The butterfly chain stitch looks best if you leave the same amount of space between each grouping of straight stitches.
• Vary the number of straight stitches to create a new look for your needlework project.
• Use a contrasting thread to complete the twisted chain stitch for a different look.