Tambour embroidery: how to quickly master the tambour stitch and where it can be useful

For centuries, people have treasured the elegant and versatile art of tambour embroidery. It is a favorite for adding texture and detail to fabrics because of its distinctive looped stitches, which produce intricate designs. A world of creative possibilities can be unlocked by learning how to use the tambour stitch to embellish accessories, clothing, or home decor.

Although learning the tambour stitch can be intimidating at first, it can be quickly mastered with the correct method. Once you get the hang of it, this technique is quite simple, which is what makes it so beautiful. With a few simple tools and some practice, you can quickly produce beautiful embroidery designs.

This post will walk you through the fundamentals of tambour embroidery, including where to start and how to use your newly acquired abilities. Tambourine stitching provides a satisfying and pleasurable creative experience, regardless of your level of experience.

Tambour stitch pattern

The tambour stitch is easily identifiable. The stitches come out as an even, neat line on the back, and form a chain on the front. Plan:

The tambour stitch is frequently referred to as "chain." Some interesting but less common names are "mouse trail," "braid," "loop," and "in a braid."

As a point of reference. The history of tambour stitch dates back more than 2,000 years.

Previously, a unique tambour needle—which resembled a long, thin crochet hook—was used for the task. The chains were consistently straight and even with it. These hook needles are also sold nowadays. However, for embroidery, a basic needle and floss are typically used.

How to learn to embroider with a tambour stitch?

You must first decide which embroidery materials to use.

• Threads. For classic tambour embroidery, use floss threads. Also, tambour stitch can be done with knitting threads, metallic threads, decorative cord, thin ribbons.
• Needle or hook. It is recommended to embroider with an embroidery needle. It differs from a regular sewing needle by a wider eye. In addition, some embroidery needles have a blunt tip, which is very convenient when embroidering on canvas. If you plan to embroider on a mesh or fabric, you can use a thin hook: Luneville, Indian or other.
• Hoops. Allow you to stretch and fix the fabric. Embroidering on hoops is more convenient, and the work is neater.
• Pattern (picture). Tambour stitch is usually embroidered from a sketch. You can use carbon paper. Place the carbon paper on the fabric, apply the printed pattern on top and trace along the contour. To prevent the pattern from shifting, pin it in a circle.

Coloring choices are available for embroidery patterns. As an illustration:

Utilizing a water-soluble marker, you can imprint the pattern onto the fabric. The window is fitted with a "sandwich" made of fabric and the template. After that, a marker is used to outline each line.

Additionally, craft stores sell customized thermal paper templates for embroidery. After laying the thermal paper, rough side down, on top of the cloth, a hot iron is applied.

As a point of reference. The round hoop that was used to perform the stitch in the past gave rise to the stitch’s name, tambour. They had the appearance of a big "tambour" drum.

Step-by-step instructions

Those who have never embroidered before, both adults and children, must be taught the step-by-step technique of the tambour stitch. Training videos are available for novices:

Starting from the left, the embroidery flows smoothly to the right.

Specific guidelines:

1. First, you need to make a fastening and bring the needle and thread to the front side.
2. Insert the needle into the same hole, from which the thread comes out.
3. Gently tighten, leaving a 3-5 mm loop outside.
4. Insert the needle (from the inside) inside the loop at a distance of 1-3 mm from the first puncture.
5. Carefully tighten the loop.
6. Reinsert the needle into the point from which the thread comes out.
7. Pull the thread, leaving a small loop.
8. Insert the needle inside it. Pull the thread. You will get a chain of two links.
9. Then embroider according to the same principle, observing the rule: each loop should come out of the previous one.
10. At the end of the embroidery, secure the last loop with a mini-stitch.

Crucial! The chain stitch will unravel if one of the loop links in the "chain" is missing or not fastened.

Types of chain stitch

The most basic type of chain stitch is called "chain." Once you’ve mastered the basic method, you can learn more intricate and exquisite embroidery:

1. With a fastening. Make a large loop and secure it with a small stitch. Make a flower out of the loops. The loops can be of different sizes.
2. Wide loops. To get pronounced links of the "chain", when forming a loop, the needle is inserted not into the hole where the needle comes out, but next to it (a few millimeters lower).
3. Alternating loops of different sizes. You can add variety to the stitch by alternating small loops with large ones.
4. Stitch with wrapping. After finishing the embroidery, wrap the chain with a thread of the same or different color. The thread can be laid in different ways, getting a beautiful and voluminous stitch:
5. Zigzag. To perform it, the loops are formed not on the horizontal line, but above and below it (every 1-3 loops).
6. With overlapping loops. A rather complex stitch. The first stitch-loop is secured with a fastening. An element of the second loop is made under it. All subsequent loops are attached to the base of the loop located 2 higher.

The chain stitch comes in about twenty varieties, including weighted, double, rope, rosette, herringbone, "cord," and many more. They’re all fascinating in their own unique ways. The corner stitch is frequently coupled with other methods. An incredibly beautiful example is this cross and chain stitch embroidered amulet:

Tambour needlework:

How to do a tambour stitch with a crochet hook?

They mainly embroider with a "chain" on knitted items using a hook. The stitch is completed in the subsequent sequence:

1. Fix the thread at the beginning of the embroidery.
2. Insert the hook under several knitting threads.
3. Grasp the thread for embroidery.
4. Pull through. A loop is formed on the hook.
5. Insert the hook again under the knitting threads (the next stitch in the direction of the embroidery).
6. We hook the embroidery thread.
7. Pull the loop through the knitting threads and the first loop.
8. Pull the thread.
9. Repeat points 5-8.

Tambour embroidery is an easy-to-use yet adaptable technique that can give your clothes and fabrics lovely decorative accents. The tambour stitch is an excellent skill for both novice and experienced crafters because it is easy to learn. Once mastered, it can be used to make elaborate patterns, adorn clothing, and even fix fabric in a fashionable manner. This tutorial will assist you in understanding the fundamentals of tambour embroidery and demonstrate useful applications for it in your projects.

Luneville embroidery

A widely used chain stitch-based embroidery style. We imported luneville embroidery from France in the 17th century. The use of bugles, sequins, and beads gives it a unique look. The most common way to do it is with a special Luneville hook on a mesh.

With this method, the chain stitch is done a little differently:

1. The Luneville hook must be held strictly vertically. The screw should be directed towards the embroidery.
2. The hook is inserted into the mesh, the thread is placed on it from below the mesh.
3. Then the hook is rotated around the axis by 180 degrees. The thread should make a 360 degree turn.
4. The hook and the thread are brought out to the front side.
5. Return it to its original position.
6. Perform the next stitch.

The video illustrates how to do the chain stitch in Luneville embroidery step-by-step:

Whether you’re new to embroidery or looking to improve your skills, learning the tambour stitch is a fun and satisfying experience. Although this method might seem difficult at first, with practice it becomes instinctive.

Tambour embroidery is adaptable and useful for a range of crafts, from adorning apparel and accessories to enhancing home accent pieces. It adds a distinctive touch to any fabric with its distinctive chain-like pattern, which makes your work stand out.

You will have countless opportunities to incorporate tambour stitching into your designs if you are patient and creative. You’ll soon be able to confidently create intricate and beautiful pieces if you start small and experiment.

Video on the topic

Chain stitch. Embroidery.

Chain stitch (option "Stem")

Chain stitch. How to embroider?

Chain stitch