Butterfly Chain Stitch
a member of the chain stitch family
Butterfly chain is what is referred to as a composite stitch used for decorative purposes on many types of fabrics. You are not restricted to even weave fabric as your foundation. This stitch can also be worked on the curve and in contrasting threads as it is worked in two journeys. You can use the same thread for both journeys, or you can incorporate threads of two contrasting weights or colours.
Work a foundation row of three vertical straight stitches. With this stitch watch the space between the foundation blocks as the space between the groups of stitches should be about the same width as the area covered by the three stitches.
On the second journey, simply tie each group of stitches together with a twisted chain stitch. Before moving on to the next block of stitches pull each twisted chain stitch to clutch the group of three foundation straight stitches together.
On the second journey, do not allow the needle to enter the ground fabric except at the beginning and end of the row.
A foundation row of three vertical straight stitches is the traditional number of stitches to work but you can vary this to create different effects. You can also vary their scale. For instance, making the middle straight stitch longer that the side two. The thread that you use to clutch the foundation stitches together can be of heavier or lighter weight. It can also be ribbon of fine cord.
For those interested in bead work and crazy quilting beads can be incorporated easily at various stages of stitching or added afterwards at the points of the foundation stitches. This is a stitch that looks good worked row upon row to form various patterns and designs depending upon the placement of the foundation blocks.
Tip
A tip to remember is that if you have tension problems which result in puckering, work Butterfly chain stitch with the fabric stretched in an embroidery hoop.
Chain stitch Family:
There are many other stitches in this group. The stitches that I have listed here in the chain stitch family are:
