Butterfly Chain Stitch is also known as
Puntada de Cadena de Mariposa [ES], Schleifen-Kettenstich [DE].
About the Butterfly Chain Stitch
The Butterfly Chian Stitch is decorative with a series of Twisted Chain Stitch running over a foundation of straight stitches. Usually, three Straight Stitches are tied with a Twisted Chain Stitch, giving it a sheaf bundle look.
How to do the Butterfly Chain Stitch
To do this stitch, you need to know the Twisted Chain Stitch. Remember that you do not go through the fabric or even pluck it while doing the twisted chain stitch, as it is done over the foundation of the straight stitches. For the sake of this lesson, I have laid three different types of foundations. This will give you an idea of the different effects a butterfly chain stitch can have. I will work the straight stitches from left to right but will work the twisted chain stitch from bottom to top.
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| Fig 1: To begin, we make a foundation with a row of straight stitches. For that, we draw the needle from A-B, C-D, E-F, etc. | |
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| Fig 2: For this lesson, I have made three different kinds of straight stitch foundations. X: sets of three straight stitches spaces evenly between each other. Y: a series of straight stitches with no spacing. They will be bundled up in sets of three. Z: sets of closely stitched four straight stitches with different vertical heights. |
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| Fig 3: Now we bundle the straight stitches using twisted chain stitch. Bring the needle out from the bottom of the last straight stitch. Take the needle under the first set of straight stitches as shown. |
Fig 4: Now, loop the thread around the needle to form a twisted chain loop. This loop will hold the set of straight stitches in a bundle. |
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| Fig 5: Once the needle is pulled and the thread is tightened, a bundle will look like this. This has a sheaf look. | Fig 6: Continue this procedure until all the straight stitches are bundled. To end the twisted chain, anchor up the last loop as shown. |
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| Fig 7: The completed butterfly stitch will look like this. Observe how each foundation throws out a different visual appearance. | |
Related Projects
Do you want to know where and how to use this stitch? Check out the projects below and learn more. Make something beautiful today.
Learn this stitch and 305 more in our 600-page eBook!
Other related stitches from the Chain Stitch Family
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Partial Whipped Ch
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Raised Cup Stitch
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Triple Chain Stitch
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Sailor Stitch
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Overlayed Laced Ch
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Zigzag Twisted Ch.
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Tied Chain Stitch
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Shell Stitch
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Waved Chain
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Braid Stitch
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Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
I have just started doing hand embroidery, mostly wool applique. Sarah, your website has me so inspired and excited. I just finished a needle case. I can’t wait until I start my next project so I can use the butterfly chain stitch.
Hi Janet, it is great to know how you are enjoying out tutorials. Do try to share some of your works here. It will be great to see. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your craft! I am new to hand embroidery and your posts are fabulous. The directions for stitches and pictures are wonderfully presented.
Thank you!
Syndi
hey! sarah its very owesome and easy for me. thanku very much dear
This a lovely stitch, and I learned it so quickly because of the excellent and simple demonstration. Thank you so much.
Hi Sarah,
I tried this beautiful stitch, just see the outcome
http://threadwithme.blogspot.in/2012/05/tast2012-butterfly-chain-stitch.html
Raji.
Thanks Raji for sharing your work. It is a clever way to use this stitch.
Rocksea & Sarah thanks to both of u
Thank you Navneet. 🙂 It makes us feel good that you have found our pages interesting to learn from. It makes all our efforts worthwhile.
hi Sarah,
i was looking for embroidery classes…couldn’t find good but when i went thru ur site & then this stich..i consider u my mentor …thank u, thank u so much… ur work is so systematic & graceful. god bless u 🙂
Thank u so much. This is very helpful and useful. I am now trying some projects with embroidery.
Dear NAvita,
Nice to hear. 🙂 Do try to post your embroidery works here to share with us all. I twill be nice to see your projects.
hi Sarah,,,,i was litlle confused in the beginning with the twisted chain stitch which connected the strands…..but wn i practiced it again n again i got it right….thankx 4 ur illustrations……i would also like you to show ur students nd admirers as to how n where would u use each stitches…..it would nice if u can help in that too…if u ‘ve time only………..thanx again…..god bless u…
Dear Preetha,
Happy that you finally managed to get the stitch right. 🙂
Thanks for your suggestion. For many stitches, I do mention in the beginning for what the stitch is good for. Like, if it makes border designs or if it used in any particular kind of embroidery. Some of them are already linked to from the embroidery section. I will add more embroideries with time…it takes a lot of research and time for a single page of tutorial, so I am not able to add the embroideries at a faster pace.
But, I will try to add more details wherever possible.
Thanks for the love and care to respond, you are very beautiful, I’ll talk to you my friends, here in Brazil we have small groups of women, you always have a beautiful resposda for each, so we feel special to you as soon as you is for anyone who likes to embroider
🙂 I am delighted Tania.
Hi to all your friends there.
Sara, I am Brazilian and I’m seeing your page and want to tell you is a real lesson here kisses from Rio de Janeiro, now I’m your fan.
Thank you very much Tania. 🙂
Hope you enjoy our pages more.
amazing…
simply amazing
🙂
The website address is http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org
can you tell me the website address,iam not be able to find out
Hey this is such a simple yet a very beautiful stitch. It has come out so well on my daughter s frock. Thanx.
Dear Ritu,
I feel delighted that you liked the outcome of this stitch on your lovely daughter’s frock.
Hi, Thanks 4 d tutorial… it will b very useful for those who want to do Embroidery at home… May i know which thread will b used to do embroidery on a silk saree / kurtis… thanks in advance
Dear Kiran,
If you want to work on a silk fabric, depending on how fine it is, you can either use a silk thread or 1 or 2 strands of anchor cotton thread.
Just make sure you do not use thick threads as it can damage the fabric and spoil the embroidery.
this is beautiful…and you hav done it so neatly..wow!
This is such a cool stitch! Thank you for taking the time to post all these instructions for the different stitches, they have been very helpful.:D
Hey, thanks Valerie. 🙂