Beginner Hand Stitches – Oct. 2021

Friday 15th October 2021

For many of us sewing is like second nature to us and as easy as riding a bike – but remember, we weren’t all able to do this to start with!

We all had to learn somewhere and there’s no better time than the present. 

Learn along with us as we teach you 5 beginner stitch patterns that are easy to learn!

Running Stitch

The running, or straight, stitch is the most basic stitch in sewing and the one on which other stitch patterns are based on. This stitch is done by simply passing the needle in and out of the piece of sewing fabric at regular intervals.

This stitch is easy to learn but takes time to master the consistency of both the direction and the frequency of the thread!

1. Create a small knot at the end of your thread and then line up your needle with the edge of your drawn guideline. 2. Pull your needle and thread through from the back of fabric to the front. 3. Bring your needle back down into the fabric, leaving a small gap, and pull your thread through. 4. You have now created your first running stitch. Let’s do another one. 5. Repeat Steps 1-3 until you reach the end of your guideline, remembering to leave a small consistent gap in between each of your stitches. 6. Well done! You have just completed the running stitch.

Back Stitch

Next up is the back stitch, one of the strongest and most versatile stitch patterns. This is done by sewing right to left, rather than left to right but maintaining the sewing direction of left to right. It sounds complicated but it is quite simple! 

Essentially it involves starting the stitches from the end where you would usually finish and sewing left to right each time whilst working backwards.

1. Create a small knot at the end of your thread, but this time instead of starting at the edge of your guideline, bring your needle up approx. a “stitch-length” away from the edge. 2. Pull your needle and thread through, then bring your needle back down along the edge of your line. 3. You have now created your first back stitch. Let’s move on to our second back stitch. 4. For your next back stitch, take your needle back up through the fabric leaving a stitch-length gap (just like we did in Step 1). 5. Bring the needle back down through the end of your previous stitch. Continue to repeat these steps until you reach the end of your guideline. 6. Well done, you have just completed the back stitch.

Whip Stitch

This type of stitch is primarily used for creating seams and is essentially like a running stitch that is stitched across through two pieces of fabric along their length, circling the edges of the fabric.

It is also commonly used as a decorative stitch in applications such as applique making, due to it creating a refined edge and preventing fabric from unravelling.

1. Pin your two pieces of fabric together. Create a small knot at the end of your thread and bring your needle through the top layer of fabric. Pull your thread all the way through. 2. Repeat this again, however, this time push the needle up through the bottom and out of the top layer of fabric. 3. Pull your thread all the way to create your very first whip stitch. 4. Continue to stitch through both layers of fabric until you reach the end of your piece. 5. Once at the end of your fabric, bring your needle through the back, pull the two layers apart and tie a small knot to finish your work. 6. Well done, you have just completed the whip stitch.

Catch Stitch

A catch stitch, also known as a cross stitch or herringbone stitch, this stitch is great for increasing seam allowances (the area between the fabric edges and where the stitching actually starts) and also for use as quick stitches to temporarily tack hems. 

Additionally, sewing this type of zigzag stitch allows the stitches to have more stretch and give, which is why it is commonly used with heavy fabrics such as knitted textiles.

1. Draw two parallel lines as a guide. Create a small knot at the end of your thread and bring your needle through the fabric on the bottom guideline. 2. Pull your needle and thread all the way through the fabric. 3. Create a small back stitch along the top line diagonally across from the bottom line. 4. Pull your thread through and you should now have a ‘half-cross’ like stitch. 5. To create the other half of your cross, create another back stitch, but this time, do it along the bottom line. 6. Keep repeating Steps 3-5 (going from top to bottom) until you reach the end of your guidelines, and you will have completed your cross stitch / herringbone stitch.

Blanket Stitch

A very well known stitch, the blanket stitch (also known as the “cable stitch” or “crochet stitch”) is used to reinforce and provide support to the edges of thick materials and can also be used in a decorative manner on unhemmed fabrics.

This stitch is formed of loops that interlock around the edge of the fabric and are spaced quite widely, usually using denser threads.

1. Begin by drawing two parallel lines as a guide. Create a small knot at the end of your thread and bring your needle through the bottom line. 2. Pull your needle and thread all the way through from the back to the front of your fabric. 3. Create a back stitch from the top line and go down to the bottom line. Move the thread under the needle (as shown in the photo above). 4. Pull your needle down and out of the fabric, then pull the remaining thread through. 5. You should now have a backwards ‘L’ shape. This is your first blanket stitch. Repeat steps 3 and 4 going from top to bottom and remembering to slip your thread under the needle as you go. 6. If you continue to do that, you should have a lovely blanket stitch!

Bonus Tip: For all the techniques, I used Pilot FriXion Rollerball Pens to draw my guidelines. I definitely recommend using these pens because once you have finished sewing, you can remove any lines from your felt or fabrics with the heat of an iron.