Types Of Hand Stitches (9 Basic Hand

Stitches With Steps)

July 4, 2020 by Harshitha Leave a Comment

Different Types Of Stitches | 9 Basic Hand

Sewing Stitches:
Here are the different types of stitches. I’m sure you must’ve straight/running stitched at
least once in your lifetime just to fulfill the urgency of wearing a particular little-torn dress
for that particular occasion. The running stitch is the simplest among all types of hand
stitches. We’ll learn different types of hand stitches here with steps. Check out how to
sew to start your first stitch. You can also get into different types of embroidery
stitches and then some simple embroidery designs easily by learning the following
types of hand stitches first.

The hand stitches are very much useful even when you’ve got the best sewing machine.
There are different types of stitches by hand. Sometimes in urgency and sometimes for
the better look of the garment, such as seaming stitches, which might not work well on a
sewing machine. Then comes the use of different types of stitches by hand.

Another usually used stitch is the backstitch. The backstitch is the strongest among the
types of hand stitches that are most adaptable and permanent hand stitches. It’s also a
bulk-free knot replacement for the beginnings and endings of hand-sewn seams.

The various types of hand stitches are used for a variety of purposes, such as stitching
seams, overcast heavy garments, etc. Let’s get into the basic types of hand stitches.

Basic Types Of Hand Stitches | Different Types Of

Stitches:
Many home-sewn and custom-made garments continue to have the types of hand
stitches used primarily as finishing techniques (hemming, securing fasteners, etc.).
Thus, knowing and understanding the proper types of stitches to use is important to the
item’s appearance.

1. Straight/Running Stitch:

The running stitch/straight stitch is the most basic of the hand-sewing stitches. It has
many variations according to the requirement.
Uses:

o Gathering
o Mending
o Tucking

Procedure:

1. Insert your threaded needle from the wrong side upwards.

2. Insert it down into the fabric according to the marked design
3. Bring the thread back up and repeat.

2. Basting/Tacking Stitch:

It is the same as the running stitch but with longer stitches (between 1/4 and 1/2
inches). You can do it straight also instead of slanting as in running stitch.

Uses:

o Tacking
o Holding seam
o It can be used as a temporary stitch

Procedure:

1.
1. Pierce your threaded needle from the wrong side upwards.
2. According to the marked design, pierce it down into the fabric
with longer stitches up to 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
3. Bring the thread back up and repeat.
Today, we tend to pin baste more than hand bastes our garments and projects, but
hand basting can still be useful, especially with both lightweight (silk and chiffon) and
heavyweight (leather and Melton) wools.

3. Backstitch:

A hand-sewn backstitch is a strong, reliable stitch. Before sewing machines, all clothes
were built by layer upon layer of backstitches.

Uses:

o Attach fabrics
o Outline shapes for embroidery designs
o Writing

Procedure:

1. Working from left to right, take a small stitch

2. Then insert the needle at the end of the previous stitch, bringing it out
beyond the point where the thread emerges.
3. Continue, always inserting the needle at the end of the previous stitch.

4. Catch stitch (Cross-Stitch):
You can use this stitch to finish hems with fabric that doesn’t fray and to tack facing
invisibly.

Uses:

o Hem
o Seam Allowances
o Lining Garments

Procedure:

1. Working from left to right, take tiny stitches on the hem.

2. Then take a tiny stitch on the garment.

They will appear as crosses on the wrong side and small stitches on the right, as seen
in the image.

5. Slip Stitch(Blind stitch):

This is the most used stitch for hems and other finishes. It’s almost invisible and clean
when it’s done right.

Uses:
 o Join two pieces with stitch thread being invisible
o Hem

Procedure:

1. Bring the needle through the fold of the hem.

2. Pick up a thread of fabric at the same point.
3. Make the stitches about a 1/2 inch apart and fairly loose.

A slip stitch is a common hemstitch and is used when you don’t want visible stitches.

6. Blanket Stitch (Buttonhole Stitch):

If you want to sew eyelets or buttonholes by hand, learn the buttonhole stitch.

Uses:

o Enclose the raw edges of heavy fabrics

o Decorative stitch

Procedure:

1. Secure the thread on the wrong side of the fabric, insert the needle
from back to front through the fabric 1/8 inch from the edge.
2. Wrap the working head around behind the eye end of the needle, then
behind the point.
3. Pull the needle through, bringing the knot to the fabric edge.
4. Continue, making closely spaced stitches and knots.

The eyelet version is worked in a circle, with the wrapped edge to the inside; the
blanket stitch variation has at least a 1/4 inch spacing between stitches.
7. Fell Stitch:

Fell stitch is known for appliqué stitch, which is one layer of fabric (generally a folded or
selvage edge) that is a stitch to another. It’s quick, strong, and flexible-the piece sewn
on with a fell stitch can move somewhat like a hinge, and that makes it good for
installing linings.

Uses:

o Applique seam
o Sew lace-either as appliqués or appliqué seams.
o Millinery work and clothing such as attaching hat bodies to brims and attach
hatbands to hats.

The stitches themselves typically sit 90 degrees to the edge, or they can be angled
slightly.

Procedure:

1. Emerge on the folded edge. The stitch should be about 1mm away from the
fold.
2. Insert the needle directly into the fabric next to the fold.
3. Run it diagonally so that it emerges beyond the first stitch.
4. Pull the stitch closed.

Sew the stitches between 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch apart.

8. Overcast Stitch:
Overcast stitch is one of several types of hand stitches. The purpose is to prevent the
unraveling of the fabric.

Uses:

o Enclose raw edges of a fabric

9. Whip Stitch:

The whipstitch is a simple stitch used in both sewing and crocheting.

Uses:

o Quilting
o Appliqué making
o Closing the sides of pillows and cushion
o Making jeans garments
 o Hemming the sides of carpets.

It is usually used to sew together two separate pieces of material with flat edges in both
practices. When used on crocheted works, the whipstitch is nearly invisible. For sewn
works, the stitch is more visible but can be masked.

Take Away:
There will be many times when a hand stitch does your work than a sewing machine. I
hope these basic types of hand stitches help you get through the situations easily.