The name chain-stitch originates from the optical characteristics of the lower thread (see image on the right). Chain-stitch technology comes in two different forms - single and double chain-stitch as opposed to lock-stitch. Single chain-stitch only uses one thread whereas double chain-stitch works with a top and a lower thread. DAHMEN only manufactures chain-stitch quilting machines that apply double chain-stitch as this is the only reasonable and commonly used stitch type.

Double chain-stitch quilting multi-needle machines operate all needles simultaneously and all of them move exactly the same way.

Every needle is assigned to a hook below the press plate which grabs the top thread and therefore creates the knot that looks like a chain on the bottom part of the fabric. The lower thread runs trough a canal in the hook.

A good estimate for thread consumption of double-chain-stitch machines is 35% for the top thread and 65% for the lower thread. The exact values are highly dependent on the specific applications and machine settings so that these values can only be used as a guideline.

DAHMEN double chain-stitch quilting machines are offered between 90'' and 130'' width which equals 228,0 cm to 330,0 cm in metric terms.