Lesson 2.3
Tambour Chain Stitch Practice: Sharp Corners and Neat Finishing
In this practical lesson, you will apply the tambour stitches and locks learned earlier to your first traced figure. You will practise following the drawn lines, keeping stitches small, and using short securing stitches to create sharp corners. You will also learn how to undo an uneven section and secure both thread ends neatly.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with your traced practice figures
Lunéville hook
Embroidery thread
Scissors
Bottle cork to cover the hook when not in use
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Secure the thread with a starting lock.
Follow a traced figure with tambour chain stitches.
Keep stitch length approximately 1.5–2 mm.
Create sharp corners using short stitches in the opposite direction.
Undo and restitch a corner that needs correction.
Secure thread ends by wrapping them around the embroidered chain.
Protect the hook with a cork when leaving your work unattended.
Your Practice
Begin with the first traced figure. Make a starting lock and stitch along the drawn line, keeping your stitches approximately 1.5–2 mm long.
At each corner, make a very short securing stitch in the opposite direction, then return to the guideline and continue along the next side. If a corner looks uneven, undo that section and repeat the movement.
Once the figure is complete, draw out a large loop and cut it. Secure the thread end by wrapping it around the embroidered chain three or four times, or more if needed. Repeat with the starting thread tail, then check your finished figure for even stitches and clearly defined corners.