Chenille and Chain Stitch Embroidery: An Artistic Overview
A rich history of chenille and chain stitch embroidery has well-defined techniques with exclusive characteristics. Some special needles and thick chenille yarn are used to create a velvety, raised finish of chenille embroidery.
Today, in the journey of embroidery professionals are going towards two unique fashions; Chenille and Chain Stitch embroidery. These practices have rich histories and distinct characteristics, which makes this technique a favorite among professional artists and hobbyists.
Let’s differentiate between these practices and we must learn to create these good-looking and gorgeous stitches. Today, chenille, (the French Word used for caterpillar),is used with bright colors with a 3-D effect. Chenille is normally stitched on a piece and that piece is sewn onto a garment.
Chenille embroidery is also known as moss stitching. Chenille embroidery is frequently seen on letterman and biker jackets. Chenille entails 2 types of stitches.
One is a chain stitch that lays flat upon the felt and acts as a border for the second type of stitch.
The second type is called a loop stitch which is a thick plush fill area but does not lay on the edges. This is why the chain stitch is used.
What is the History of Bonnaz and Cornely Machines
Antoine Bonnaz was born on December 17, 1836, in Versin, France. In 1800, Joseph Jacquard established his loom, and Barthelemy Thimonnier designed the sewing machine in 1825.
- Antoine Bonnaz
In 1868, in the city of Paris, the chain-stitch machine was invented. This machine uses a hook-shaped needle and one thread to fabricate a chain stitch line. For more about Threads, you can visit: Major Types Of Machine Embroidery Thread
- Ercole Cornely
Cornely developed the machine and attained a patent from Bonnaz’s firm. Cornely refined the machine which is controlled by a handle and added a universal drive system in this machine.
The first machine to work accurately to create a chain stitch which copied the work similarly done by hand on a tambour frame. This machine was easy to use and can be used in the home in a small workroom, and it became tough to differentiate between machine stitching and hand-sewn embroidery work.
Furthermore, Cornely kept on improving original designs to make machines capable of producing chenille (called a moss stitch), braiding, taping, and other designs. The machines had become more popular among the hand embroidery workforce.
Uses Of the Cornely Embroidery Machine
These machines are particularly tough- they can stitch through leather, vinyl, wool, felt, and then work on silk or cotton bobbinet just as easily. They are remarkably simple machines, and a trained operator can do the maintenance. A Step-by-Step Guide to Embroidering on Leather and Vinyl
The Cornely embroidery machine has many uses, including:
- Personalizing clothing
The Cornely was used to stitch names and designs on dresses, such as shirts, handkerchiefs, and other outfits. Nowadays, it is also used for personalized accessories.
- Under braiding
The Cornely machine was invented for underbraiding and can stitch a cord or braid using a single thread or back stitch.
- Attaching pearls/looped edgings
The Cornely machine can stitch beads and pearls dresses and also can add looped edgings to lace.
- Biomedical applications
Embroidery techniques can be used to manufacture tissue scaffolds, bioresorbable sensors, and wound care sensors by the use of Cornely machines.
Chain Stitching By Cornely Machines
The Cornely embroidery machine is famous for chain stitching. Here are some details about chain stitching with a Cornely machine:
- How it works
A single needle head and a rotating bobbin are used in the Cornely machine to create chain stitching. The needle pierces the cloth, and the bobbin forms a chain stitching by capturing the yarn.
- Chain stitch
In chain stitching, one continuous thread is looped back on itself. Chain stitches are stretcher than lock stitches, so they are often used in places like the waistband and leg seams of jeans.
Chenille
The process of chenille embroidery begins with a design that is translated into a stitch file. This file is loaded to a chenille embroidery machine, which stitches the design on the clothing using thread and needles. The generated design is durable and eye-catching.
What are the Characteristics of Chenille Embroidery?
The beauty of traditional embroidery, chenille embroidery is an exclusive form of needlework that unites with the longevity of patchwork. Most of the stitching in chenille is completed on a fabric background called scrim felt.
This felt is then manually cut out and sewn to the garment like a patch and is characterized by its raised padded look. A Comprehensive Guide on Embroidery Patches
The design is stitched in rows of French knots onto a fabric base, using a heavy thread such as chenille or yarn. Then the knots are cut open to make a fluffy and textured effect. Because of its raised appearance, chenille embroidery can be used to generate fashion in 3D effects. The Ultimate Guide to 3D Puffy Foam Embroidery
Twisting/Cording Cornely Embroidery Machine
Cornely machine design can twist a cord or thread around the basic thread to create perfect textures.
An added cord can create stunning designs by changing the texture and thickness of the cord.
Conclusion
Both chenille and chain stitch are traditional embroidery techniques and rooted to centuries back. They both use hooked needles. This technique is also known as moss stitch. Chenille embroidery is designed from wool or cotton yarn.
The chain stitch technique involves pulling a loop to create a chain. It is generally used for delicate work and used to generate a variety of designs. Both chenille and chain stitch needles have a hook but chenille also has a short barb. Chenille embroidery machines typically use a hook needle to pull thread up. They can make both stitch types including open and double chain stitch. Open chain stitch leaves gaps between stitches whereas double chain stitch generates a bold and textured look.
FAQ:
What is chenille embroidery?
Chenille embroidery represents a form of needlework where the motifs are worked in thick yarn to produce raised, velvety effects often applied as patches to garments.
What is chain stitch embroidery?
Chain stitch embroidery is applied in looping one thread back to itself to make stitches that are interlocking and resemble chains, mainly used in delicate decorative work.
How are chenille and chain stitch embroidery different?
Chenille embroidery is all about a textured, 3D effect using plush yarn, while chain stitch embroidery is for flat, interlinked loops ideal for outlining and intricate designs.
What are the main applications of chenille embroidery?
Chenille embroidery can be very suitably applied to letterman jackets, biker apparel, and decorative patches due to its raised and textured appearance.
Can chenille and chain stitch embroidery be done by hand?
Chenille embroidery, however, usually demands specialized machines for the plush, raised effect. Chain stitch can be done by hand with practice, though.