Basic Hand Stitches

1. Running Stitch
One of the most basic types of hand stitches, and it has many variations. It’s
used for gathering, mending, and tucking. Depending on its use, you can either
knot your thread or take a couple of back stitches to lock it into place.

Steps on how to do Running Stitch

Weave the point of the needle in and out of the fabric by using very short (1/16”),
even stitches before pulling the needle through the fabric. Repeat.

2. Basting Stitch
Basting is sewing long, easily removable stitches by machine or by hand. It's also
called tacking. Basting stitches are intended to temporarily join fabric for several
reasons.

Steps on how to do Basting

Align the seam edges or fabric layers to be basted, and secure them with pins.
Stitch in place a few times at the beginning of the application to secure the
beginning of the basting.
Taking short, even strokes, stitch from right to left, next to the seamline, pulling
the thread through every few stitches. 
Remove each pin as you approach it. 
3. Blanket Stitch
The blanket stitch is a technique used in various forms of embroidery. It is very
similar to the buttonhole stitch and it also uses two levels. It is called buttonhole
stitch when the stitches are packed closely together, and blanket stitch when
they are more evenly spaced out.

Steps on how to do Blanket Stitch

Anchor the first stitch at the edge. Then, point the needle toward you and insert it
through the “right” side of the fabric, about ¼’ over the preceding stitch. Keep the
thread below your work and under the needle. Your needle with go over the
thread.

4. Slip Stitch
Also called a ladder stitch or an invisible ladder stitch, is a useful hand-sewing
stitch that's used to close a seam.

Steps on how to do Slip Stitch

A. Fold the fabric to the wrong side on both sections and insert needle with
thread into the fold of the garment. Use pins to keep in place.
 B. Insert needle directly into the opposing side, move the needle about a ¼ of an
inch and pull out from the opposing fold towards you to tighten the thread.

C. Reinsert the needle into the opposite fold and push the needle out once more
follow the same length of your previous stitch until the end.

D. Trim the excess thread after your know and press to have a crisp fold.

5. Whip Stitch
Whipstitch is a hand sewing technique used to join fabric together or applique
and for creating a durable bound seam.

Steps on how to do Whip Stitch

Stitch at a slant with large, even, closely spaced stitches.
6. Back Stitch
 A method of sewing in which each stitch overlaps or doubles back on the
preceding one, the needle entering behind the thread at the end of the stitch
already made and coming out in front of it.

Steps on how to do Back Stitch

Pull the needle up through the upper side of the fabric, and poke the needle back
into the fabric half a stitch behind where the thread first emerged. Bring the
needle up a half stitch in front of where the thread first emerged. Repeat for the
length of your fabric.

7. Catch
A catch stitch, sometimes called a herringbone stitch, is useful for tacking hems
and seam allowance. 
Steps on how to do a Catch Stitch
1. Iron the fabric, after folding the given seam allowance towards the wrong side
of the fabric.
2. Thread the needle on the fold, close to its edge and tie a knot. This is to
prevent the knot coming loose, on the loosely woven linen fabric.
3. Pick up a thread of linen from the fabric on the main part of the fabric, slightly
to the right side above the knot. Turn the fabric around’ to make sure the stitch
isn’t showing on the right side. Choosing a matching color thread will make this
easier.

4. Then, again slightly to the right, continue the stitch on the fold of the fabric.
When you are sewing along the seam allowance, it is ok to stitch normally as the
sewing will not be seen.

5. When you reach the end of the fabric, tie a knot with the thread on the folded
part of the fabric.
6. Turn around the fabric and check the stitch is invisible.

Submitted by:

MARY KAREN B. BELENO

Submitted to:

Ms. Rose Alenny M. Bansil