Butterfly chain stitch is another beautiful form of chain stitch. This is one of my favorite stitches. Cause i love anything that connects me with nature. This stitch is exactly what I was searching for to add to my natural embroidery.
And guess what? It’s surprisingly easy to stitch!
Butterfly Chain
To do a butterfly chain stitch, make a series of looped stitches (like mini chain stitches), and then tack them down in the center with a small straight stitch. That tiny tack pulls the middle of each loop inward 🦋
It sounds beautiful, right? It’s even more beautiful if you look at it.
Table of Contents
What Is A Butterfly Chain Stitch?
The butterfly chain stitch is a stitch that looks like a row of tiny butterflies resting on your fabric. It’s basically a variation of the chained stitch, but with a twist that makes the loops “pinched” in the middle. Some stitchers also say that it’s a mixer of basic chainstitch & twisted chainstitch.
It creates a shape that resembles fluttery little wings. That’s why it gets its name.
Simple Butterfly Chain Stitch
It looks so simple, and the process is simple too. You just need 1\2 min to do it. There is 2 way to do it.
- With detached chain stitch
- With twisted
Detached one is kinda simple. I don’t wanna start with an easy one, so i’m wanna go with twisted version. Here is how it’s done.
Start with a Base of Straight Stitches
Alright, to get this stitch going, I first make a row of evenly spaced straight stitches. Since the Butterfly Chain works best in sets of three, I make sure my total number of stitches is a multiple of three, like 6, 9, or 12.
Between each stitch, maintain ½-inch gap. You can adjust it according to your needs.
Bring The Needle Up For The First Three Stitches.
Now bring my needle up at the beginning of the first set of three straight stitches. This will lock your wings of your butterfly.
But be aware of choosing the thread color. Make sure to use a different color thread from the main stitch. Cause the different color will bring out the butterfly more like a double stitch would. So which color blinds together perfectly?
Well, that depends on your project. But I normally use,
- If my base straight stitches are pastel pink, I’ll go bold with deep purple or turquoise for the top. This makes the “wings” really stand out.
- For a softer look, I’ll choose two colors that are close on the color wheel — like mint green + teal, or peach + coral.
If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll whip out a metallic gold or a thread that changes color as I stitch. These add a bit of shimmer and movement, which looks amazing on butterfly motifs.
Pro tip: Test your color combo on a scrap piece of fabric first — what looks good in the skein might surprise you once stitched!
I Loop My Thread Around All Three Stitches
Here’s the fun part: I make a Twisted Chain Stitch on top of the first three straight stitches.
I loop my thread around all three stitches, almost like I’m wrapping them together. After sliding the needle, I whipped the thread around the needle.
As I pull the needle through, I pinch the center slightly so it creates that little gathered, wing-like look.
Extra Tip: Don’t pull too tight! You want the twisted chain to sit on top of the fabric, not pull into it.
Repeat the Twisted Chain on the Next Set of Three
Now I move on to the next group of three straight stitches and repeat the twisted chain, always wrapping the thread around the group and pinching in the middle.
I keep going until I’ve wrapped up all the sets of three straight stitches into little butterfly shapes.
Finish And Secure The Thread
Once all my butterflies are stitched, I flip to the back and secure the thread with a tiny knot or backstitch.
Then I step back and admire how fancy my fabric looks — like it’s full of delicate little butterflies just sitting there.
Butterfly Chain Stitch Instruction Through Diagram
Butterfly Chain Stitch Patterns
You must be thinking, what can I do do this design? Well, you can do many things with it. No matter where you use it, it will look stunning. Here are a few ideas for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I Change The Number Of Base Stitches?
Butterfly chain is usually done on groups of 3 straight stitches — that’s what gives the “wing” effect. But you can experiment with groups of 4 or 5 for a different look!
Where Can I Use Butterfly Chain Stitch?
Anywhere you want a bit of playful texture or movement, like Floral borders, Wings on embroidered insects, Decorative bands on clothing
What Fabric Works Best?
Use a fabric that holds its shape well, like: Linen, Cotton (like Aida or evenweave), Light denim Avoid stretchy fabrics unless they’re stabilized.
That’s It
Butterfly chain stitch totally surprised me — it’s simple, fun, and makes your fabric pop in the cutest way. Mix up those colors, enjoy the process, and don’t stress perfection. Every stitch is part of your creative story. Happy stitching! 🦋💛
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