Do you want to try your skills with hand sewing? By following hand stitch techniques, you can easily sew clothes from scratch or close any holes on old garments.
Regardless of advent and convenience of sewing machine, nothing is more authentic than understanding how to sew hand stitches. Here are the basics so you can connect with the traditional ways once again.
How to sew hand stitches fro beginners? Start by threading the needle with double or single knot at the end. Follow the stitching instructions for the hand stitch you want to execute.
Poke the needle in the wrong side of the fabric up to the top and pull through until the knot reaches the end. When the stitches are completed, add another knot on the outside finished seam or on a fold of fabric to make it invisible.
Many people presume that hand stitching is hard and quite difficult to master, but that is simply not the truth.
If you want to know more about the hand stitches for beginners from types of stitches and how to prepare to hand sew, you are at the right place. Provided below are answers to frequently asked questions about sewing hand stitches so that you will gain the confidence to give it a try.
Is hand sewing as strong as machine sewing?
Machine stitches, generally, are stronger than hand sewing. A sewing machine uses two strands of thread from top and bobbin to secure and hold the seams much stronger than single thread hand stitched seams.
However, sewing by hand has many advantages.
In sewing garment, hand stitching is mainly used for precise and decorative stitch for professional finishes. Hand sewing provides more control compared to using a sewing machine.
Specifically for smaller or narrower areas and repairs, you can easily select the location of stitches, length of stitches, and how to attach fabric more precisely.
To create a straight stitch with hand sewing technique, use erasable pen to draw a straight line with a ruler to guide along the hand sewing.
It is great skill to master and durable sewing technique for beginners that does not require any skills or pricey machinery to sew clothes by hand. In addition, hand sewing projects are portable, so you can bring on a trip or anywhere you go without the need to carry a heavy sewing machine around.
Why is it important to learn the basic hand sewing?
It is important to learn the basic hand sewing not only to mend old clothes or sew clothes from scratch, but it can also help improve focus and concentration by maintaining patience and self-control.
When it comes to hand sewing, it is much better than machine sewing. Learning basic hand sewing is very important as it provides better precision and makes the outcome much more intricate.
Before you start using a sewing machine, hand basting to sew a zipper in place will help you to correctly place and secure the embellishment before stronger stitching is implemented.
If you don’t know the basics or fundamentals of sewing, then how can you master the higher levels?
It is also much important to learn the basic sewing techniques by hand so that you can stitch whenever and wherever it is essential. Besides that, it provides better satisfaction and a sense of tranquility.
Types of hand stitches
If you want to start with hand sewing, then you need to know the basic types of hand stitches for beginners.
Here is a list of hand stitch types that you can learn as your skills advance:
- Running stitch: This is also called straight stitch, which is one of the beginner hand-sewing stitches. This is used mainly for alterations and tucking.
- Basting stitch: It is quite similar to running stitch, but it comes with longer stitch lengths. This is mainly done for holding seams or just as a temporary stitch, especially to attach zipper or lining on a blazer or jacket.
- Backstitch: The backstitch is another basic hand-stitch that is quite reliable and strong. This type of stitch is used to secure the straight stitch from unraveling.
- Cross stitch: Another basic type of hand stitch is cross-stitch, which is used for different purposes like seam allowances, hemming and lining.
- Blind stitch: This is also known as slipstitch and is quite a popular type of hand stitch. You can use this stitching for joining two pieces while being invisible, especially inside garment hemline.
- Overcast stitch: This is another type of hand stitching with the main purpose to prevent the fabric from unraveling.
When applying these variations of stitches on seams, ensure to press seams with a hot iron to create professional look. Pressing seams while hand sewing to join two pieces of fabric will give a clean finish with accurate measurements on the fit.
Types of needle for hand sewing
There are different types of needles for hand sewing. These needles can range in size and width. Based on the fabric width and content, selecting the correct needle for hand sewing is crucial to avoid making holes or damaging the fabric.
Some of the most popular hand sewing needles are:
- Sharp needles: These are the most common one with an extra sharp point. They are available from size 1 to 12 and are the thinnest needles available.
- Quilting needles: These needles have sharp point and are specifically designed for quilting. These needles are short and have a smaller rounded eye.
- Ballpoint needles: These needles are used for knitting and come with a rounded smooth point that easily passes between the threads of knitted fabrics.
- Crewel needles: These needles are medium length sharp pointed ones that are used for hand embroidery stitches. These needles come with elongated eyes that can lodge a thicker thread perfect for embroidery.
Whether you are hand sewing woven or knit fabric, choose the correct needle for successfully sewing clothes, quilting, or adding embroidery on a garment. Each needle serves a different purpose and require different methods to prepare the hand sewing needle in advance.
How to thread a needle for hand sewing?
Threading a needle is not as tough as it may seem and is quite easy if you can follow some of the important steps.
Here is the step-by-step procedure to thread a needle for hand sewing:
- Start with the right type of needle and thread for the fabrication you are working with.
- Insert the thread through the eye of the needle, for that you have to make the thread end into a sharp point. Wetting the end of the thread and pinching with your finger tips works well.
- Pull the thread from other side of the eye and take as much thread as you prefer to use.
- Trim the thread end to get a much clean cut and tie the knot at the end to secure it in place.
Following these above mentioned steps, you can easily thread the needle. To expedite threading process, beeswax or a needle threader will help quickly and easily thread a needle for hand sewing.
How do you sew a simple hand stitch?
Learning to sew a simple hand stitch will help you to repair old clothes and be able to easily sew clothes from scratch. As a beginner, understanding how to hand stitch with a sewing needle and thread will give you skills to start with and advance even further.
Start by learning the basic running stitch or straight stitch. These stitches are the simplest and easiest type of hand sewing to use in standard side seams, hemming, and basically works well to join fabrics together.
All you have to do is to insert the threaded needle into the fabric from the wrong side. Draw the needle upwards until the knot gets stuck to fabric and reinsert the needle down again into the fabric to the wrong side.
Now, pull the thread completely down and repeat this until you reach the end of the seam.
At the end of the stitch, use backstitch to secure the straight stitch. On the fold or backside of the fabric, create a double knot to snip the thread and complete the hand stitching.
Sewing Hand Stitches: Conclusion
Covered above are some of the easiest and simplest sewing tips for beginner hand stitches.
If you want to start with hand sewing and stitches, you have to start with these basics. Once you master the basic types of hand stitches, you can start designing fabrics with advanced stitches.
Select the correct hand sewing needle and thread based on woven or knit fabric, and the purpose of your sewing project. It will help you to avoid any damage to the fabric and also smoothly create every stitch with a crisp and neat finish.
Review different types of hand stitches that suits the purpose of your sewing project. It ranges from running, basting, backstitch, and overcast to name the most basic ones to apply on seams.
Prepare a sewing needle by threading the needle with double or single knot at the end. Put the needle in the wrong side of the fabric up to the top and pull through until the knot catches up.
When the stitches are completed, apply backstitch to secure the previous stitches in place. Then, add a knot on the backside or fold where you cannot see the knot on the outer garment.
Starting out as a beginner, you have to make sure that you are following every step very minutely without hurry. Take your time and sew slowly, otherwise it can be a complete mess and taking apart stitches to start over again will waste lots of time.