How To Chain Stitch On A Sewing Machine? Does It Actually Work?

I was on the phone with a friend the other day, just catching up like usual, when I heard that unmistakable hum in the background—vrrrmmm. Yep, she was clearly stitching something. So, naturally, I asked, “Hey, what stitch are you working on?”

She casually replied, “Oh, just a chain stitch.”

Wait. Chain stitch? My brain did a double take.

“Hold up,” I said. “Chain stitch… on a machine? Isn’t that a hand embroidery thing?”

I could practically hear her grin through the phone. “Not anymore.”

And just like that, I was delighted. I searched and found that yes, there is a way to do machine chain stitch. Here is how it’s done,

Can Chain Stitch Be Done By Machine?

Yes, you can! I know I know. I was surprised, too, just like you. I used to think chain stitch was only for hand embroidery, too 😄

But turns out, machines can do it too!

There are special chain stitch machines designed. Barthélemy Thimonnier, a French tailor, invented the first successful chain-stitch sewing machine back in the early 1800s. His invention really marked a turning point in sewing machine history.  And give a machine stitcher to try embroidery.

Fast forward to today-

Many companies design their own chain-stitch machines. Among them, the most famous ones are,

1. Singer sewing machine chain stitch
2. Brother sewing machine chain stitch
3. Janome sewing machine chain stitch
4. Vintage chain stitch machine
5. Hand crank chain stitch machine

In my opinion, my personal favorite is a sewing machine. Cause the price range is reasonable and also works smoothly. That’s the perfect 1-needle, 2-thread chainstitch machine.

What Is A Chain Stitch Machine?

A chain stitch machine creates a looped stitch pattern that resembles the classic hand-sewn chain stitch.

1. Basic Chainstitch
2. Double Chain-Stitch

Where can you use it? Well, it can be used anywhere, but it’s mostly

1. It’s perfect for knit fabrics or areas that need flexibility, like waistbands.
2. It adds a beautiful, vintage-style texture to the fabric surface.
3. Also Ideal for mass production in fashion and textiles.

Basically,

Chain stitch machines are widely used in industrial sewing, such as in denim production. However, some home sewing and embroidery machines can also mimic this effect.

Interesting right? I know, so I had to try it.

What Is The Best Thread For Chain Stitch Machine?

When I first started using a chain stitch machine, I thought I could grab any old thread I had lying around.

Big mistake. 😅

After a mini meltdown (lol),

Long story short:

Machine Chain Stitch Tutorial

First, I get my machine ready. I point the PH-C120 Chenille needle toward me. That’s important, and grab my threading wire.

I carefully slide it down the big hole (sometimes I fumble, but it’s no big deal). Then, I hook the thread with the wire and pull it back up through the machine.

But Quick Rule of Thumb:

For a basic chain stitch on sewing machines, you usually need about 2 to 2.5 times the length of the stitching line.

Example:

1. If you’re stitching a line that is 10 inches long, plan for about 20–25 inches of thread. This length is also suitable for machine running stitch.

Next, I rotate my needle to about 9 o’clock. That helps the thread catch properly in the notch and come up through the needle. I raise the presser foot and pull a little extra slack underneath. Trust me, it makes everything easier.

If it doesn’t come off easily, it usually means I need to pull the part that’s coming up from underneath the machine. Once everything is nice and loose, I’m finally ready to start stitching.

I place my fabric under the presser foot and lower the foot down to hold it in place. Then, I start sewing.

A little tip I’ve learned:

Once I have enough slack, I hold onto the thread from below tightly (don’t let go!). I snip it, then pull the thread off the needle carefully.

Then I turn the handwheel a little backward to raise the needle back up, making sure I’m ready to move on to the next part of my project.

I move my fabric to the next starting spot, put the foot down again, and start sewing my next circle. After a few stitches, I can let go of the tail.

When I need to stop again, I follow the same method:

An Issue I Face While Stitching

Sometimes the fabric won’t move. It feels stuck! At first, I panicked and thought I broke something, but here’s the trick:

I lower the needle by using the handwheel. That loosens the thread loop. Once I see the loop open up, I can pull my fabric away easily without snapping any threads.

I reach under again and find two threads:

1. The left thread made the last stitch.
2. The right thread is the one coming from below.

I grab the right one, pull some slack out, and if I don’t have enough to tie a knot yet, I simply pull a bit more until I do.

So, yes, that’s how sewing machine chain stitch works. If you use it the right way, you’ll have a perfect-looking embroidery within a minute.

Machine Chain Stitch Embroidery

After that one learning session, I never stopped doing it. Cause it’s so quick yet creates such beautiful embroidery. Come see,

Frequently Asked Questions

Now It’s Your Turn

So, yes, that’s how you can chain stitch on a machine. It’s easier than hand embroidery, right? So do it and share it with us.