I was flipping through some of Grandma’s old embroidery pieces when this candy-like, swirly line caught my eye. It looked like something sweet was stitched right onto the fabric! I ran straight to Grandma, held it up, and asked, “What’s this one?”
She chuckled and said, “You’re always obsessed with chain stitch, right? And you’ve never tried the whipped chain stitch?”
I blinked. “Whipped chain… what now?”
She smiled like she’d shared the best secret and said,
“Oh, it’s easy! Just stitch a regular chain line first. Then, take a second thread and weave it through each loop—don’t poke the fabric, just swirl it through like icing on a cake.”
And just like that, I was hooked. I needed to learn in detail.
Table of Contents
Whipped Chain Stitch By Hand Tutorial
Grandma grabbed her sewing tools and started showing me practical,
Start with a Neat Chain Stitch Row
Grandma grabbed her 6-inch hoop, saying it is Perfect for small to medium designs. This size gives you enough tension and space without feeling bulky. It’s great for beginners, too.
“First things first,” Grandma says with a twinkle in her eye, “you need a row of good ok’ chain stitches. That’s the foundation chain stitches. Think of it like a path that your thread is whipped on.
Bring in a Contrast Thread
Pick a thread in a different color—something that pops. That’s when your whip chain will be noticeable, like mine was.
– How can I maintain the color match?
-Well, it depends on your project. But here are a few colors that really complement each other.
- If your chain stitch is sky blue, use sunny yellow or bright coral for whipping.
- Light pink chain stitch with deep rose whipping thread.
- Use the same color for chain and whipped stitches for a classy, textured rope look. But try different thread thicknesses or finishes (like matte and shiny).
- Spice it up by using metallic thread or variegated floss for the whip.
Grandma’s tip: “Contrast is your friend if you want people to notice your stitch. But keep the colors close if you want them to lean in and wonder how you made it look so smooth.”
Slide Your Needle Under The First Chain Loop
Thread your chain stitch needle and bring it up through the fabric right next to where you started your first chain stitch.
Now, here’s how the whipped effect happens—
Don’t poke the fabric again! Slide your needle under the first chain loop from bottom to top like gently threading a ribbon through tiny hoops.
Keep Sliding The Needle In & Out
Now, just keep doing that—under the second chain, then the third, and so on.
Remember to always slide from the bottom up and never pierce the fabric again—this is a gentle stitch, like a twisted version.
Finish It Off with a Clean Tuck
As you near the last chain stitch, Grandma leans in and says, “Almost done! Just one last pass…”
Slide your needle under the final chain loop and bring it down into the fabric close to that last stitch—just enough to tuck the end neatly. Give your thread a soft pull so everything sits just right.
Now look at your work. It’s raised, twisted like a little candy rope—soft, tidy, and oh-so-pretty. “There you go,” Grandma smiles. “That’s your whipped chain stitch.”
Double Whipped Chain Stitch
That’s the whipping around only in one chai stitch. You can do it on double chain stitch too. Grandma said and started showing how it should be done,
- Start by making two rows of chain stitch, placed very close together.
- Make sure:
- Both rows are evenly spaced.
- The stitches in both rows are aligned directly across from each other.
- Pick a third thread (the same color for a subtle look or contrasting for a decorative effect, like detached chain stitch).
- Thread your needle and bring it up at the starting point between the two rows.
- Slide your needle under half of each chain stitch, without piercing the fabric:
- Under the bottom half of the chain stitch in the top row.
- Under the top half of the chain stitch in the bottom row.
- Keep the thread on the surface—you’re just wrapping it, not stitching into the fabric like cable chain.
- Continue sliding your needle through each pair of chain stitches like this:
- Always go from the same direction (left to right or right to left) to keep it even.
- This creates a rope-like twist between the two rows—super cute and textural!
- At the end, place your needle between the two rows into the fabric to secure it.
- Tie off neatly at the back.
That looks so good, too. 😍😍 Now I’m confused between those embroidery stitches.
Whipped Chain Stitch Pdf
Grandma’s showcase is pretty clear. But still, I’m a kind of forgetful person, so I made the whole PDF with it.
Whipped Chain Stitch Embroidery
After admiring grandma’s work so much, I had to try my own some embroidery pattern. So I did & here is how it turned out,
Whipped Chain Stitch Video
It’s easy to get confused about some instructions. If you are confused, then watch this embroidery stitch lessons
Whipped Chain Stitch Beginner Embroidery Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of thread should I use?
Use cotton embroidery floss, silk, or metallic thread. For best results, use a contrasting or complementary color for the whipped part so it pops.
Do I need to pierce the fabric for whipping?
Nope! You only slide the needle under each chain loop, not through the fabric. That’s the secret to getting that clean, candy-stripe look.
Can beginners try this stitch?
Absolutely! If you know how to do a chain stitch, whipping it is just icing on the cake. It’s easy, satisfying, and beginner-friendly.
Can I use the same thread color for both steps?
Yes, you can! It gives a subtle, braided texture. But if you want your whip to shine, use a second thread in a different color or finish.
Sum Up
Lessons from grandma are always so informative. I always learn new things from her. I am noting it and will share it with you guys. I hope it helped you like it helped me.
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