Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial

The name says it all. Lazy Daisy is arguably the simplest stitch for creating embroidered flowers. It can also be called the Detached Chain Stitch, but let’s face it, that name is not nearly as fun! Lazy Daisy stitch is nothing more than a simple loop arranged in groups to create flowers, combined in a line to make Chain Stitch, or worked individually to create leaves. There are also a number of variations for taking this simple stitch to the next level.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial

Let’s start this lesson by making a simple flower.  You can draw the whole thing, or just a small center circle and work from there. Bring the needle and thread to the front at the edge of the center circle.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial

Put the needle back in right next to where you came out. Without pulling it all the way through, weave it up and out of the fabric a small distance away. This will be your stitch, or petal, length.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial

Now, take the thread and wrap it around the needle. If you’ve already learned Chain Stitch, this method will be familiar.
Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial
Pull the thread all the way through to create a loop. The tighter you pull, the narrower the loop will be.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial
Anchor the loop by bringing the thread back down just on the other side of the loop.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial
Continue working around the edge of the loop until you have a complete flower.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial

Lazy Daisy Stitch Variations

There are a number of variations on the basic Lazy Daisy stitch. For starters, you can make long thin petals with long stitches pulled tight. Or short rounded petals with short stitches left loose.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial
Lazy daisy can also be made with two thread colors. I find the simplest way to achieve this look is by adding a second thread color over the original anchor stitch. In this example, I also used the contrasting color to fill in the middle with French Knots.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial
How about a spider web lazy daisy? Simply follow the directions for Spider Web Stitch using a lazy daisy as the base.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial
Finally, lazy daisy stitch is not limited to only flowers. You can place the loops in a line to make leaves, in a circle to make a border, or even by themselves to create interesting embellishments.

Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch Tutorial

Lazy Daisy Stitch Patterns

Lazy Daisy stitch can be found in many of the Wandering Thread Embroidery Patterns. 

Clockwise from top left: Alaska Flower Pattern, Hot Springs National Park Pattern, Wildflower Meadow Pattern, May Wreath Pattern

Lazy Daisy Stitch Flower

Happy Stitching!

13 Responses

  1. karen
    | Reply

    easy to learn with the steps..thanks much

    • Amanda Watson
      | Reply

      You are very welcome!

  2. Ninia James
    | Reply

    Thank you. I’m feeling very inspired now xx

  3. Julie
    | Reply

    Thank you, this will be just the job to put on a plain matinee coat.

  4. Elizabeth
    | Reply

    Thank you. Just what I was looking for. Very easy to follow.

  5. Marie
    | Reply

    Now I understand how to do it! I was so confused as I hadn’t done embroidery in a long time and wanted to pick it up again. It is so relaxing.

  6. rubi
    | Reply

    sooo much easier with this, thanks:)

  7. […] Check out the free pattern here […]

  8. Linda Macias
    | Reply

    Thank you for this tutorial. It was a huge help! I’m working on 28 count linen and wasn’t sure if I went down the same hole each time or in a hole right next to it. You answered this for me. Thanks again! ❤

    • Amanda
      | Reply

      So happy you found the tutorial helpful!

    • Amanda
      | Reply

      So happy that you found the tutorial helpful!

  9. Precious
    | Reply

    THANK YOU SO MUCH the other tutorials i saw didnt do the circle thingy in the middle helped me alot with my school project

    • Amanda
      | Reply

      Happy to hear that you found the tutorial helpful!

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