Chicken Scratch / Gingham Embroidery : An Introduction and the Stitches

Chicken Scratch embroidery is also called as Tenneriffe Lace, Snowflaking & Amish Embroidery. It is worked on gingham or checkered cloth, hence also called as Gingham Embroidery. It gives a lacy finish to the fabric/ work. 

Most commonly used fabrics for chicken scratch embroidery are the 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch checks. The 1/8-inch gingham is used mainly for small projects – pincushions, jar lids, bookmarks, and sachets. The 1/4-inch is used for larger projects – pillows, quilts, clothing, place mats, and tablecloths.

Materials Required:

Gingham or checkered fabric

Embroidery floss 

Needle ( sharp needle with large eye preferred) 

Scissors

Embroidery Hoop

The number of strands of floss used in chicken scratch embroidery depends on the type of fabric used. 

• 2- strand floss is used in 1/8 - inch checkered fabric, and  

• 3- strand is used in 1/4 - inch checkered fabric.

Counting the squares :Using a scale count the number of squares per inch on each side. Sometimes the checks may not be same on each side. 

Counting the squares help in deciding upon a pattern and placing it well on the fabric. Thus. reducing wastage of fabric.

There are many different kinds of stitches used in chicken scratch embroidery.

Click here for Stitches used in Chicken Scratch Embroidery