Chained Feather Stitch

Chained feather stitch is a pretty, wide line embroidery stitch used on plain-and even-weave fabrics. This stitch can be worked as a border stitch or in pictorial designs. It consists of longstemmed lazy daisy stitches placed in the same formation as a feather stitch.

It makes a delicate zigzag line and is suitable for use with any type of embroidery thread, although a fine thread will enhance the delicacy of the stitch.
It isimportant that the stitches are of an even size and equally spaced along the line: if an even-weave fabric is used, the threads can be counted to keep the stitches evenly spaced; if a plain-weave fabric is used, guidelines will need to be marked on the fabric,or the zigzag line will be lost. It is always worked downwards and consists of chain stitches worked alternately to the left and right at a slant.

These stitches are connected by straight diagonal stitches. Short rows of feathered chain stitch can be scattered at random over an area to make a light powdering, or rows can be worked solidly to give an interesting texture to a shape.

• Working between two parallel lines, bring the thread through at (A) and make a slanting Chain Stitch, tying down the stitch at (B).
• Take a second slanting Chain Stitch from the right at (C), tying it down at (D). The tying stitches must from a regular zig-zag patterns.