What is chicken scratch Embroidery?
Chicken Scratch is a simple, traditional type of embroidery that is also called Amish embroidery, snowflake embroidery, or depression lace. It is used to decorate items such as aprons, table cloths, place mats, and pillows.
Traditionally, this is worked on gingham fabric, which is a checkered fabric, and it makes keeping counting of stitches quite easy. Chicken scratch utilizes many of the stitches of cross stitch, both using squares to count.
This simple embroidery technique on gingham gives a very lacy and sophisticated look. Don't be intimidated by the lovely finished work that appears to take so much time and energy!
A Bit of its History
This embroidery was very popular in the 1930's through the 1950s. During the depression era, women made dresses and aprons by using chicken scratch on gingham.
Gingham was an inexpensive fabric to use, but with the gingham or Amish embroidery, their dresses became lively and much prettier than plain gingham dresses. The embroidery is done on the edge of the fabric to imitate lace; this is quite likely how the name "depression lace" came to be.
Some historians believe that chicken scratch, or snowflake embroidery, is to have originated in America during the early years when the English settlers arrived.
This information remains unclear, yet it makes sense that as the settlers moved on to newer places, the name of the embroidery changed.
Modern Chicken Scratch
Many who enjoy needle work have become interested in the art of chicken scratch. There are many new and exciting modern twists to this art.
For one, needle workers are experimenting with the fabric that is used; Aida or weave fabric is sometimes used instead of gingham.
You will see that the newest to chicken scratch or Amish embroidery are experimenting with thread color and various stitches as well. Traditionally, the running stitch, cross stitch, double cross stitch, woven oval and woven circle were used, but the range of embroidery stitches used now is expanding.
Check out our links below to see tutorials, supplies, stitch samples and patterns!
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Treat yourself to 20 sweet and original Zakka style craft projects! These whimsical and practical sewing projects incorporate a number of techniques for embellishment, including patchwork, raw-edge applique, crochet, chicken scratch embroidery and sashiko.
by Lisa Cox
- Paperback
- Published 2016
Affiliate Link to Amazon
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Chicken Scratch is an easy and fun type of embroidery done on gingham fabric.
by Pegasus Originals
- Paperback
Affiliate Link to Amazon
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Many chicken scratch designs.
by Pegasus Originals
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Designs include: Butterflies, Rooster Weathervane, Quilt Square, Lace Ribbon, Elephant, Windmill, Tall Ship, Daisy Field, Rose, Cherries, Chicken on a Stick, Panda and much more.
by Pegasus Originals
- Paperback
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For Sale: One-of-a-kind, handmade chicken scratch squares.
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Learn about the materials used, the stitches and basic instructions.
Spruce
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Examples chicken scratch embroidery stitched on aprons and stitch instructions.
Feeling Stitchy
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A free tutorial, free pattern and stitch guide.
Pink Paper Peppermints
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The instructions are written in French. But the illustration is self-explanatory on how to do the double cross stitch.
L'arbracigogn
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Learn about chicken scratch and how to do chicken scratch.
Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials
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Hand Embroidery of Gingham - Free Christmas Tree Pattern. After embroidering, make it into a pillow, Christmas decoration, placemats, or potholder.
Needlepointers.com Staff
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See several examples of chicken scratch.
Thread 'N Needle
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A bookmark tutorial.
Kerri Made
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This video will show you how to do the Smyrna Stitch which is a textured stitch which can be used as a filler, as a border and in chicken scratch embroidery. This stitch is also called the double cross stitch or Snowflake stitch.
Needlepointers.com
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Learn chicken scratch stitches - cross stitch, woven circle, double cross stitch and woven oval.
Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials
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Instructions for three simple stitches—the double cross-stitch, the straight running stitch, and the woven circle stitch.
Stitch School
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Do you need to embroider a small circle? Try the woven circle stitch! This is a beautiful, decorative stitch that can be made on any type of fabric. It is a common stitch used in chicken scratch and floral embroidery.
Needlepointers.com
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