Barred Chain Stitch

Barred Chain Stitch is one of the decorative variations of the Chain Stitch. To achieve this twisted look, you will need to combine the regular Chain Stitch with the Twisted Chain Stitch.

This embroidery technique is highly flexible. Here are some ideas to experiment with:

You can change the length of the spines.
The angle of the spines can vary.
Make chain stitches of various sizes.
Experiment with the thickness of the thread, embroider with a ribbon or novelty thread.
Add beads to the stitch.

Barred Chain Stitch embroidery with green pearl cotton

Barred Chain Stitch reverse side — Reverse side of the sampler

Applications of the Barred Chain Stitch

Barred Chain Stitch is a very flexible embroidery technique you can use for surface hand embroidery, crazy quilting, decorating garments, or embellishing borders of home textiles. You can combine this embroidery technique with beads or sequins and use any thread for this stitch.

Just like regular Chain Stitch, the Barred option will take curves well. You can make wavy stitches or connect them in circles.

Barred Chain Stitch looks gorgeous in botanical motives. Besides that, positioning the rows of Barred Chain Stitch close to each other will create a textural filling.

More stitches from the Chain Stitch family

Learn how to embroider Barred Chain Stitch

Follow the step-by-step tutorial with detailed photos below, and you will learn the Barred Chain Stitch quickly. If you are a visual learner, watch a video lesson in the tutorial or on the Practical Embroidery YouTube channel to learn this hand embroidery stitch faster.

How to embroider Barred Chain Stitch

Step-by-step hand embroidery tutorial

Make the first Chain Stitch
Mark the design you want to embroider on the fabric. Start on the left side of the design and make a first chain.
Second stitch
Take the needle down to the fabric on the side of the first chain. Leave the loop of the working thread open. The distance from the stitch will determine the length of the spine.
Twisted Chain stitch
Take the needle up to the surface on the marked design line. Twist the working thread and pass the needle inside the twisted loop. Tighten the loop.
Add a regular Chain Stitch
Make a stitch on the design line.
Add a Twisted Chain Stitch
After a regular Chain Stitch, add one more Twisted Chain stitch.
Anchor final chain
Embroider the entire design with alternated regular and twisted chain stitches. Secure the final stitch with a small anchoring stitch and secure the thread on the back side of the fabric.
Curved lines
Follow the same stitch sequence to embroider the Barred Chain Stitch on the curved lines or circles. For visually pleasing circles or wavy lines, make Chain Stitches smaller to follow narrow curves better.

Video tutorial

How to Embroider Barred Chain Stitch | Decorative Hand Embroidery Tutorial

Tools and materials I used for this sampler

Disclaimer. To cover the cost of creating free embroidery patterns and video tutorials for this blog, I do sometimes link to products. Please assume these links are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through my links then THANK YOU – it will make it possible for me to keep doing this.

Embroidery fabric cotton linen neutral colors Etsy — Embroidery fabric

What’s next?

If you’re in the mood to explore more hand embroidery stitches, check out the Stitches and Techniques page for the list of other fantastic stitches available on my blog. From timeless classics to modern twists, a whole world of stitches is waiting for you to explore and master. So, grab your hoop and needle, and let’s stitch our way to creative bliss!