There are a multitude of benefits to hand sewing. For starters, the costs of getting the supplies for hand sewing are very reasonable, particularly if a person uses scraps and remnants from old clothing. Hand sewing also allows a person to not have to worry about storing a large and bulky sewing machine. The portability of hand sewing allows the sewer to travel with their hobby and knowing how to mend a button at the office is useful skill to have. Sewing by hand is also a great way to build up confidence for more demanding sewing projects later on.
Straight Stitch or Running Stitch ��� The straight stitch is a kind of basic sewing stitch. In this stitch, individual hand sewing stitches are created without the thread being either looped or crossed. The straight stitch is used to make both unbroken and broken lines, to fill in shapes, and to establish geometric patterns. This type of stitch is relatively easy to master.
Whip Stitch or Blanket Stitch ��� The whip stitch is a kind of stitch that is employed to reinforce the edge of materials that are thick. It is sometimes also referred to as a decorative stitch utilized to complete a blanket that is unhemmed.
Backstitch and Other Early Stitches ��� The backstitch is an individual stitch that is made backwards in regards to the direction of sewing. The backstitch creates lines and is mainly used for the purpose of outlining shapes or even adding details to a picture that is embroidered.
Oversewing Stitch ��� The oversewing stitch is a kind of stitch that is commonly used to join selvedges together. The oversewing stitch can also be called a top stitch.
Slipstitch ��� The slipstitch is a fundamental stitch that involves the stitch being moved from the left needle all the way to the right needle without being knitted. The slipstitch is frequently used in making multiple fabrics at the same time, to create longer stitches, or to carry over colors from a previous row.
Tacking Stitch/Basting ��� The tacking stitch or basting is a temporary and quick stitch that is meant to be removed again. This stitch can be used to hold a seam, to attach a lace collar, or to move pattern markings to a piece of fabric.
Buttonhold Stitch ��� The buttonhole stitch is used in tailoring, embroidery and even in needle lace-making. This kind of stitch catches a loop of thread on a fabric�۪s surface. The needle is then placed on the back of the fabric at 90 degrees to the initial beginning of the thread.
Chain Stitch ��� The chain stitch is a kind of stich in which looped stitches create a pattern that resembles a chain. The chain stitch is integral in creating needlelace, tambour lace, crochet and macram̩.
Cross Stitch ��� The cross stitch is an X-shaped stitch. It is primarily used to create a picture as part of a raster-like and tiled pattern. The cross stitch is usually executed on aida cloth.
Feather Stitch ��� The feather stitch is a type of embroidery technique. It consists of an open and looped stitch that is worked both to the left and to the right of the central rib. The feather stitch can be traced back to England in the 19th century, where it was designed for giving decoration to smock-frocks.
Hemming Stitches ��� Hemming stitches are used to embellish the hem of household linens as well as regular clothing. This kind of stitch is decorative and drawn threadwork as well as being a type of openwork, hand sewing technique.
Couch Stitch ��� The couch stitch is a kind of embroidery stitch that is utilized in the making of a straight line or to fill a specific region either a pattern or some color. Most gold work features couch stitching, though the couch stitch is not limited to this.
To sometimes finish off a piece of sewing, one has to tie off the thread into a knot. Tying off the thread into a knot is largely accomplished by just weaving the thread in among other stitches. The key to trying off the thread into a knot is making sure it will not show on the outside, so to achieve this, stitch a loop on the inside of the material being worked on and thread the needle through it. Pull the needle through completely and then pull it tight to finally create the knot that will tie off the thread. One may even want to do this a few times for extra enforcement.