by Belinda Simon

Created on: June 20, 2010

With just two simple hand stitches you can quickly fix a hem that is coming undone or sew on a loose button. By knowing these and a few other useful stitches can save you time and money on clothing repairs.

Slip Stitch

Slip stitch is a simple stitch, used to hand sew hems. By sewing small stitches on the right side and longer stitches in the hem, with a matching thread, the hem will be stable and almost invisible.

Satin stitch

These are small over and under stitches, sewn side by side. Satin stitch is a useful stitch for sewing on buttons. Whether keeping the stitches the same length or varying them to different lengths, it is often used as a decorative stitch on items such as serviettes and placemats.

Backstitch

Backstitch is a strong, neat stitch used for sewing seams. You can use it for mending a side seam, reattaching a pocket that is coming undone, or reinforcing a zipper. Backstitch is worked from right to left with each stitch made the same length. It is also used extensively for outlining cross-stitch designs.

Buttonhole stitch

As the name suggests, this stitch is used to bind the raw edge of a buttonhole. Each stitch, sewn at an even length, is half knotted at the edge and sewn side by side to sew a firm buttonhole.

Blanket stitch

Blanket stitch is a variation of buttonhole stitch. It is a useful stitch for sewing the edges of blankets, rugs, and other raw edges of fabrics. Each stitch is sewn further apart than the buttonhole stitch. It is also used as a decorative stitch and as an edging for appliqué.

Running stitch

This stitch can also be used to sew a seam, although it is not as strong as backstitch. Running stitches are used for basting seams and zippers before stitching, as a decorative, outlining stitch in embroidery, and for stitching appliqué. It is worked from either right to left or left to right and all stitches are sewn at the same length.

Cross-stitch

Cross-stitch is a two-part stitch, which can be used in a number of ways. It is a versatile, strong, and decorative embroidery stitch, worked with other stitches or alone to make innumerable designs. As the name indicates, it is two stitches, one stitched over the other to form an ‘x’. Some variations of this stitch are half cross-stitch, long-arm cross-stitch, and herringbone stitch. Herringbone stitch can be used as an alternative to slip stitch for hems.

These few hand-sewn stitches are easy to learn and are some of the most useful stitches to know. Knowing them can save you having to pay someone to do your simple clothing repairs. You may also satisfy your creative side with a new and rewarding hobby—embroidery.

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