1. In needlework: A kind of ornamental stitch resembling the links of a chain; the work so produced, chain-work.
1598. Florio, Cadenelle … chaine-lace or chaine-stitch.
1640. J. Taylor (Water P.), Praise of Needle, Pref. Fine Ferne stitch, Finny-stitch, New-stitch, and Chain-stitch.
1820. Hazlitt, Lect. Dram. Lit., 266. His figures are wrought in chain-stitch.
1876. Rock, Text. Fabr., 83.
2. In a sewing-machine: A stitch produced by looping the upper thread, when only one is used, into itself on the under side of the article sewn, or by using a second thread to engage the loop of the upper thread; as distinguished from the lock-stitch; also attrib., as in ‘a chain-stitch machine.’
1867. Gd. Words, 419/2. The sewing-machine…. There are some which make what is termed the chain-stitch; they are useful for simpler work, such as hemming.
