Two Useful Hand Sewing Stitches

Running Stitch and Backstitch are Handy Stitches to Know

Oct 30, 2007

Running stitch and backstitch are useful stitches to know and can be used in a variety of ways. Both stitches are useful for making surface decoration and small projects

Hand sewing skills are useful to know for a variety of purposes. Not everyone owns a sewing machine or sometimes a project is too small to warrant setting up a working area, therefore knowing a few key stitches enables projects to be tackled with the minimum of equipment.

Hand sewing requires little more than a sewing needle and thread. Armed with only these few tools it is possible to create, adapt and mend a whole variety of items. Softies, those cute soft toy creatures, often created from felt, and other small projects are all easily tackled by hand if required.

There are a number of key stitches to know, each one has its own use and benefits, although for simple projects just a couple of basic stitches are all that is needed.Two of the most useful stitches to know are running and backstitch.

Running Stitch

Running stitch is one of the most basic of stitches; however it is useful for seams and gathering. Lengthening the stitch turns it into a tacking stitch (also known as basting stitch) which is useful for holding two pieces of fabric together and stops them from moving out of place.

Running stitch can also be used as a decorative surface stitch. It serves both a decorative and a useful function when used on fabrics such as felt, and if worked with a thick thread or wool the stitch accentuates the rich texture of the fabric. A complementary color thread brings an additional decorative touch, and two rows of running stitch start form a firm yet attractive edging

How to make the running stitch: Fasten the thread and run the needle up and down through the fabric with equal spaces for an even stitch. Smaller stitches are firmer, larger stitches are quicker to do and to remove which is why they are used for tacking.

Backstitch

Backstitch is the most firm of hand stitches and forms a constant run of stitches similar in appearance one the top side to those formed by a sewing machine. The rear side of backstitch looks different to the right side, as the stitches are longer and overlap. This is known as stem stitch by embroiders and either side can give an attractive finish if used on the surface of a project.

How to make the backstitch: Backstitch is worked in a similar manner to running stitch, however as the name suggests, it is worked backwards. This means that the stitch is started by pulling the needle through the fabric and the needle is then pushed back into the fabric behind where the thread came out. The needle is carried under the fabric to the point where the new stitch is required and the process repeated.

The reverse of backstitch is also known as stem stitch. When working stem stitch make sure that the needle comes through the fabric on the same side of the stitch each time to ensure an even finish.

Click on the photographs below for a clearer illustration of how these stitches are formed.