Lazy Daisy - Learn How to Do This Modern Embroidery Technique

Lazy Daisy stitches are put on an embroidery sampler

Introduction


Say hello to one of my favourite techniques, the Lazy Daisy (also known as the detached chain stitch). This technique involves forming loops on your fabric, with each loop anchored in place by a small stitch. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s a relatively quick and easy way to create petals and leaves, and other decorative shapes.

 

Let’s try it out:

Step 1


Start by bringing your needle up from the back of the fabric to the front, at the pointed end of the loop. Gently pull the working thread through to the front, so that your knot secures the thread at the back.

Step 2


Use your non-stitching (‘other’) hand to lay the thread out in the direction the line is heading in, and press it against the fabric to hold it in place.

A hand holds a piece of thread over a petal shape.

Step 3


Poke your needle back down into the same hole as you came up from (or right next to it).

A hand pokes the needle down through the bottom of the petal.

Step 4


Slowly pull the working thread through, but stop when you’ve formed a lovely big loop on top of the fabric. Your other hand’s job is to keep the thread in position, guiding the loop to form where you want it. If the loop isn't quite right—maybe it's twisted or facing the wrong direction—no worries! You can easily adjust and arrange it as needed.

A finger holds a loop of thread to make a petal.

Step 5


Bring your needle back up inside the loop, aiming for the point just inside the curved top edge of the loop's outline.  

A needle pokes up in between the loop of thread,

Step 6


Gently pull the working thread, extending it away from the pointed end of the loop. Pull slowly, and notice how the loop tightens as you increase the tension. The trick is to stop pulling when the loop forms a nice rounded shape.

The thread is pulled tight to make a petal shape.

Step 7


Now poke your needle down a tiny stitch length away, on the outside edge of the top of the loop. This creates a small stitch that secures (or "couches") the loop in place on the fabric.

A needle is pointed down to create a petal shape.

Step 8


Once again, press your thumb over the loop, then pull the working thread through. Go gently and stop while the loop still holds its lovely round shape. And now you’ve made your first Lazy Daisy stitch, woohoo!

A petal shape has been created using Lazy Dasiy.

Step 9


Continue to work Lazy Daisies, always bringing your needle up at the pointed end of the loop. If you’re working on a flower, the starting point may be the same for each loop, or just beside.

A needle is pointed down through the second loop.
A full flower of petals has been created.

Step 10


When you've finished stitching, secure and tidy away your thread.

Lazy Daisy Tips:


  • Tension is key: The key for this stitch, my friend, is all about tension! If you pull your thread too quickly and tightly when you’re forming the loop and/or securing it in place, you’ll end up with narrow loop shapes. And that’s totally ok (and expected) while you’re learning! But I encourage you to have a play with the tension as you make this stitch -  focus on going slowly with less tension, in order to create that round loopy effect.


  • Fixing a narrow loop: If you create a narrow loop, you can gently pull on the thread to make it rounder again, before you secure off this stitch. Just tug the side of the loop which goes down into the fabric.


  • Option to Not Unwind Floss: If the threads on your loops are separating, you are welcome to skip the step of unwinding your floss for this technique. Just take care with tangles.

Examples of Lazy Daisy in my patterns


Once you've got the hang of this stitch, I'm sure you'll be dying to try it out in some patterns! Here are some examples, starting out with my pattern A Little Wildflower Meadow. As you can see there are beautiful examples of a Lazy Daisy forming leaves and the petals on the flower in the centre.

Lazy daisy was used as petals in the Little Wildflower Meadow pattern.

Another example is my Blooming Lovely Pattern. This design has Lazy Daisy petals and leaves all through it, and they create such amazing texture!

Lazy daisy was used as petals in the Blooming Lovely pattern.
Lazy daisy was used as petals in the Blooming Lovely pattern.

Last but not least is my pattern The Gardening Bee. Just look how I've used Lazy Daisy leaves to create so much movement and colour bursting out of the wheelbarrow!

Lazy daisy was used for the leaves in the Gardening Bee Pattern.
Lazy daisy was used for the leaves in the Gardening Bee Pattern.

Conclusion


Congrats on learning one of my favourite (and most used) beginner stitches - Lazy Daisy. This stitch may take a little bit of practice to understand how to do it properly. But believe me, if you keep practising, you’ll be a lazy daisy master in no time at all! Plus, it’s super fun doing the little loop that makes up this stitch.  


So there you have it, my top tips and knowledge you need to understand how to do Lazy Daisy stitch. Well done, go you!

What's next?


If you enjoyed learning how to do Lazy Daisy stitch, then you may also enjoy my Modern Embroidery Foundations Course. 

 

This course takes you through all the beginner techniques and knowledge you need to make your first beginner pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow! Plus, it includes a beautiful second pattern, Blooming Lovely. Both of these patterns incorporate the lazy daisy stitch, so they are a perfect place to test out your newfound knowledge of this technique.

 

I would totally recommend this course, as it covers more stitch techniques than just Lazy Daisy, and you can also do it at your own place. Plus, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your own me-time and continue on your path to becoming a modern embroidery superstar.

 

P.S. Have you checked out this blog yet, 'Learn Modern Embroidery for Beginners with this FREE Pattern?'

 

So, are you excited to make some flowers with your newfound Lazy Daisy knowledge?