If you have ever been in stitching and sewing tasks you must be aware of the uncountable types of stitches available in the sewing library. Although this world of sewing is too congested with various types of stitches, there are some basic and the most important types of stitches by hand and machine for beginners that are compulsory to learn by every newcomer. Let us introduce you to these important stitches’ details and how they are made. Make sure you read the details mentioned below and learn the basic essential stitches imperative to learn by every learner.
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Different Types of Stitches Explained
Following details tell you about the types of stitches by hand and machine for learners, that are compulsory to learn by every newcomer in the field of sewing.
Types Of Stitches
There are two most important and basic types of stitches. Machine stitches and hand stitches. Both of them are mentioned below with the description of each. Moreover, there are further subtypes of these machine stitches and hand stitches that are also elaborated below. Make sure you read the upcoming details with proper concentration, so you don’t miss any important detail.
Paying attention to stitching methods is necessary if you are stepping into the field of sewing. Moreover, one thing that should be kept in mind while stepping into the stitching world is to remember the safety rules beforehand. This is essential to make sure you are making the stitches more safely and securely. Let us initiate with the 5 types of machine stitches and the description of each of them.
Types Of Machine Stitches
The stitch that is made with the use of a machine is called a machine stitch. Here we will elaborate the five types of stitches that are machine-made and very essential for every beginner to learn.
Straight Stitch
It is the most common and the basic type of stitch that is made with the use of a sewing machine. Straight stitch is a default stitch present in a machine that ensures the seam runs in a straight line, along with the fabric. A straight stitch resembles a straight line, made on a cloth, with the use of a thread. Keep in mind, that there is no break in between the straight line of a straight stitch, made by a machine. Moreover, because it is the most basic type of stitch, you should learn this straight stitch firsthand.
Anchor Stitch (also known as backstitch)
It is the type of stitch that is used to grip and firm your seam. It is a way to secure the straight stitch you have made, with the use of thread, through your machine. It is the most commonly used and the best way to prevent the pulling out of the thread, from the seam you have made. It is not difficult to anchor a seam. To make a backstitch you need to have a straight seam or any other kind of seam on your fabric.
Then, simply pause your machine and look for the reverse button. Press it until there are three to four stitches in the reverse direction. Now make sure to leave and undo the reverse button and restart your seams. In this way, this reverse stitch has made the sewing of a single stitch back and forth, making it firm.
Zig-zag Stitch
This stitch is exactly how its name is. Zigzag! It makes a zigzag design on the fabric by running the machine back and forth, depending upon your need. You can make various changes and amendments to this stitch by simply altering and changing the length and width of the stitch. It means you have the chance to make various types of stitch in the presence of one basic stitch which is a zigzag stitch.
If you have a stretchy and soft fabric with you, learning a zigzag stitch is the most compulsory and essential thing you should do. This is because such a type of cloth is comparatively weak in holding the stitch. You may have to face pulling or weakening of the thread. Here is when a zigzag stitch helps you, secure the stitch and make it strong enough to withstand pulling without tearing apart.
Blind Hem Stitch
Blind Hem Stitch is a type of stitch that is already pre-programmed in sewing machines and is needed to create almost invisible stitches from the fabric’s outside. Alternatively, the inner side of the fabric contains the zigzag and uneven pattern of blind hemstitch made.
The repetition of a pattern in which a few small zig-zags design the stitch, covered with one large V stitch shows the inside of the fabric. Furthermore, if you are working on stretchable and flexible fabric, you will notice that the zigzag will make the stitch more strong and will give more stability to the stitch pattern.
Cover Stitch
The cover stitch is generally found on commercially made fabrics including clothing and linen. Its design displays the two parallel lines that are running very close to each other and both of them are having a straight stitch design. Such a stitch is generally used in the hem of the sleeves of the T-shirts or pillow case’s end.
Moreover, if you want to make a cover stitch on your own, you need to have a machine that is compatible with it. It means that your machine should have a dual needle system. Ensure to consult properly the manual that has come with your machine, so that you use the dual needle system more appropriately and adequately.
Types Of Hand Stitches
When you do the stitching by hand you are simply hands stitching. It is considered a quick and easy way of stitching hems. Hand stitches are used for small projects involving stitching and making amendments in between two fabrics or certain things. One thing that should be kept in mind is that hand stitches are often used for neatness and completion of the stitch. The following details tell you about 5 basic hand stitches that you should learn if you are a beginner.
Running Stitch
Running stitch made by hand is similar to the straight stitch made by machine. It is a straight line made with a thread, on the fabric, with the use of your hand. There is a distance or you can say gaps in between each stitch. The running stitch is not a perfectly straight line, but it gives you the illusion of a straight line effect, similar to a straight seam.
Back Stitch
Although the purpose of the backstitch is the same as that of the backstitch by machine, that is the securing of the stitch in its place, but the procedure is different. We make back stitches in a single line, but in the backward direction, right on the stitches already sewn.
For the making of the backstitch, you need to take out the needle up from the fabric and then move it to a stitch length in the backward direction. Then enter again into a fabric and bring the needle up again in the forward direction to a stitch length. Backstitch by hands is the stitch made in the backward direction while in a forward line.
Basting Stitch
The basting stitch is a stitch with larger distances between each stitch and is similar to the basting stitch made by a machine. This stitch is used to make temporary joints in the fabric or make the markings of the seam line. Since these are not permanent stitches, you will have to pull out all of these basting stitches, after the permanent seam is made.
Whip Stitch
To give your fabric a nice corner, this whip stitch by hand is used, which is similar to the whip stitch made by a machine. The whip stitch is made by wrapping the threads on the corner and outside of the fabric. It helps you to join two pieces of fabric, with each other with a smooth corner and without the need for an internal seam. Moreover, it slightly enhances the overall look of the fabric by giving it a fancy and flared look. It is more often used in pillowcases.
Slip Stitch (Ladder Stitch)
Slip stitch is said to be the favorite stitch for all those who work by hand. As soon as you finish each step, it will disappear into the fabric. So if you are looking for the seam to disappear in the fabric, this would be the best option for you. Slip stitch is made through every side of the cloth to ensure it is not visible from the outside. Moreover, the horizontal line of running stitches between the two fabrics makes the design look like a ladder of the stitches. This is why it is also called a ladder stitch too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is hand sewing as strong as machine sewing?
Machine stitch is said to be stronger than hand stitch. This is because two threads are involved in a machine stitch that are tied with each other through a knot. This makes them firm and tightens them together to last for longer.
How many different types of stitches are there?
There are two types of stitches. Hand stitch and machines stitch. Hand stitches are the seams that are made with the use of the hand whereas machine stitches are those that are made with the use of a machine. Both of these types of stitches contain their subtypes too.
What is a hand stitch?
Hand Stitch is a quick and easy way of stitching hems by hand. They are generally used for small projects and make the final look of your fabric neat and clean. There are many further types of hand stitches that you can learn and use according to the need.
Final Thoughts
Of course, you cannot learn all of the stitches in the first go. Keeping it in mind, I have concluded the 5 machine stitches and 5 hand stitches that are specifically for beginners, in the above-mentioned article. These are the essential stitches that should be learned by every beginner in this field. So make sure you concentrate keenly on the above-mentioned details so that you will be able to make quality stitches in no time.