This chain stitch pocket embroidery is a fun and simple craft, even for a beginner like me!
I’m not much for tedious or fussy crafts— (which is what I’d generally file embroidery under, sorry)— but the chain stitch entranced me with its simple repetition and satisfying results. Even when chainstitch script comes out less than perfect, its imperfection is endearing.
So why Kath & Kim?
Kath & Kim, the early aughts Aussie sitcom, is hilariously silly. And, one could make the argument that it’s the most quotable show of all time, considering that most of the show’s content is based on endlessly repeatable catch phrases. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s on Netflix!)
You could, of course, stitch whatever phrase you want, but I hope that my fellow Kath & Kim fans get a kick out of this craft.
I’m not a chain stitch or embroidery expert by any means, just a gal that wanted some Kath & Kim phrases on a shirt! But now that I know how to chain stitch, I have extensive plans to chain stitch a whole lot of other things.
Have fun!
Chain Stitch Materials
- Needle
- Embroidery floss
- Embroidery hoop
- If you’re planning to embroider a pocket, be sure the hoop will fit inside the pocket. (They come as small as 3”)
- Pencil
- Fine tip sharpie
- Chalk (for dark colored fabrics only)
- A shirt
- Note: sturdier fabrics like linen, flannel, or cotton shirting are a little easier to work with than tee shirts, but tee shirts work too.
Kath & Kim Phrase Ideas
Here’s a list of phrases from the show, Kath & Kim, that I wrote up.
Even if you’re not familiar with Kath & Kim, I think a lot of these phrases would still make great shirts!
- Oh hi doll
- Nice, different, unusual
- Hiya, spunky!
- Treat em mean, keep ‘em keen
- Hello Christmas!
- The bees knees
- Hornbag
- No way, josay
- Bit of shush please
- You’re only human
- Effluent
- Pain in the proverbials
- Stuff youse
- Get stuffed
- Tout suite
- Oh, jingies!
- Hullo Sweets
- I’m so there, Jackie o!
Text Style Options
Font Size
The letters can be any size that you wish. I went with small letters that are about 1/4-1/2” high. I think any smaller than this would be difficult to stitch (at least for a beginner!)
Font size will determine how many strands of embroidery floss should be used. (If you aren’t familiar, embroidery floss is actually 6 stands of fiber that can be easily separated.)
I used 1 strand of embroidery floss to embroider my shirts.
See the images below to compare 1/4-1/2″ high letters stitched with 3 strands vs 1 strand:
Font Type
Chain stitching can be used to create cursive or non-cursive letters. Personally, I really like chain stitching with cursive, because the chain has a sort of 3D writing effect. The stitch can follow the overlapping of lines that naturally occur when writing cursive.
I think cursive is more challenging because the stitches can get a little fiddly to find when they’re close to each other or overlapping. Just remember, imperfection is part of the charm!
Make a Template
Next, you’ll need to make a template of your phrase to transfer onto your shirt.
I used my own cursive handwriting to create my templates.
You can use your handwriting, or you can even type the phrase you’d like to use and then use that to create your template.
These step-by-step instructions will show you how:
How To Chain Stitch
I’ve done my best to put together a guide on chain stitching using photographs below, but I actually learned to chain stitch from the gifs in this article under the header “Method 5”. It’s very clear!
I recommend trying out the chain stitch on a scrap of fabric before you begin stitching on your shirt.
You can even try out stitching some letters for practice.
Divide the embroidery floss, pulling out the number of strands you need (1-3 strands recommended. I used 1.)
Hold the ends of the strands you want with one hand, and scrunch and pull the other strands down and away with the other.
French Knots for Exclamation Points and the Letter “I”
French knots make a very nice “dot”.
Alternatively, dots could be made with a small “x.”
If you’d like a different visual for French knots, look at the gifs in this article under the header “Method 2”.
Chain Stitch Tips
Chain stitching is simple, but there are still a few things I observed during this project that can help it look its nicest:
Don’t use a piece of floss that’s really long.
This will increase the likelihood that the floss will knot or tangle, which is really annoying.
Alternate the direction that you thread through when creating the “chain” part of the stitch.
This isn’t super necessary, but you might notice as you’re stitching that the floss starts to get twisty, which can make it tangle or knot. It can also start to make the stitches look different, because the floss is twisted more than usual.
To combat this, just change the direction every once in a while. (See a visual below.)
If you want to be extra neat, you can try alternating every stitch.
Don’t make the stitches too small, too close together, or too tight.
This will make it very hard to find the stitch you need to be threading through to create the chain. Also, your project will take a really long time!
Experiment with putting your stitches further apart and see how it goes.
Keep the template nearby for reference
Sometimes the pencil or chalk on the shirt itself can become hard to read. Looking back at the template can be really helpful!
That’s it!
I hope this post was useful and that you have so much fun chain stitching! I’m hooked (or, chained?), and I have lots more chain stitch oriented crafts planned for the future.
Now that you can chain stitch, you can chain stitch with yarn onto a knit sweater, or make a fun throw pillow!
Enjoy!
