Cheers for wanting to learn how to hand sew- The Timeless Art of Hand Sewing!
Imagine a time, not so long ago, when your grandma or mom mended a tear on a garment or decorated one with embroidery stitches. Picture when every stitch in every garment was sewn by hand; the careful dedication of seamstresses and tailors is a testament to their skill and patience.
Hand sewing isn’t just a skill from the past; it’s a thriving art. From mending a torn pocket to adding a personal touch to treasured clothing, hand sewing is a powerful, intimate way of creating and caring for our garments.
How to hand sew different hand stitches:
1. Running Stitch
Usage: Ideal for quick mends, basting, and simple seams in light fabrics. The stitch length is up to you, but shorter stitch lengths are stronger. However, for basting (temporary stitches), 3 cm length with 1 cm gap is usual.
- Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Start from the underside of the fabric to hide the knot.
- Insert the needle back down through the fabric a short distance ahead. Then, bring it back up a similar distance behind, creating a small stitch.
- To finish, make a small stitch on the underside and pass the needle through the loop before tightening to create a knot.
2. Backstitch
Usage: Perfect for strong seams in clothing, attaching patches, or any part where durability is critical.
- Begin like the running stitch. After your first stitch, bring the needle back up a stitch’s length ahead.
- Insert the needle back into the end of the previous stitch, creating an overlap.
- Finish with a securing knot on the underside of the fabric.
3. Blind (Invisible) Stitch
Usage: Commonly used for hemming where you cannot see the stitch on the outside.
- Start with a knot and bring the needle up from the edge of the fabric.
- Slightly fold back the folded hem towards you. Grab a few fiber of the outer fabric, making sure it won’t show on the outside.
- Bring the needle and pierce on the folded hem opposite to the previous point.
- Depending on the stitch length you want (normally about 5mm to 1 cm), pierce a few fiber of the outer fabric again, then go back to the folded hem.
- Repeat the step and end with a small backstitch or loop on the underside to secure the thread.
4. Whip Stitch
Usage: Great for hemming, closing seams on heavier fabrics, or attaching two pieces of fabric edge-to-edge.
- Start with a knot on the underside.
- Bring the needle down and back up by 1 cm through the edge.
- Go back diagonally, bring the needle down and back up again, creating diagonal stitches.
- Secure the end with a small backstitch or knot.
5. Cross stitch
Usage: Cross stitch is made of X-shaped stitches done inside a garment to flatten a seam and doesn’t show on the outside.
- . Start with a knot and bring the needle up a few mm above the fold line. Pierce a few fiber with your needle
- Come back down at the lower right corner (diagonal) and pierce down and up a mm of the fabric.
- Bring the needle above the fold (diagonal to the right) and pierce a few fiber to complete the ‘X.’ Continue this pattern, following your cross-stitch design.
- Secure the end with a small backstitch or knot.
6. Hemming Stitch
Usage: For hemming. You can do variations. The one I show on the video is a hemming stitch invisible on the outside. You can also go through the layers if you don’t mind the stitching showing on the outside. You can use it as a decorative stitch if you want.
- Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end.
- Fold the raw edge of the fabric to the desired hem length. Clip or pin the hem in place.
- On the folded edge, fold a small portion (about 1/4 inch) of the fabric onto itself to hide the raw edges.
- Start stitching at the wrong side of the outer fabric, piercing a few fiber so that the stitch won’t show on the outside.
- Pierce the folded hem about 1/4 inch from the folded edge.
- Bring the needle back up at a slight angle and pierce a few fiber of the outer fabric.
- Continue stitching and once finished, secure the stitch on the wrong side of the fabric
- Press the hem with an iron to set it in place. Follow recommended heat setting for your fabric.
Benefits of Hand Sewing:
- Sustainability: Revisit the art of mending. In a world of fast fashion, knowing hand stitches can transform how we view garment longevity.
- Customization: Personalize your clothing. Add unique stitches as decorative elements to stand out.
- Mindfulness: Sewing by hand is meditative. It’s a practice in patience and focus, offering a peaceful break from our hectic digital lives.
- Connection: Hand sewing links us to our past. It’s a skill passed down through generations, each stitch a story of heritage and history.
- Innovation: Experiment with materials. Hand stitches aren’t confined to traditional fabrics. Try stitching on unconventional materials like plastic or metal for a modern twist.
There, we’ve learned that mastering hand-sewing skills isn’t just about creating stitches; it’s about creativity.
In today’s world, where everything is automated and fast-paced, hand sewing is still an art to exercise mindfulness and personal expression.
Here’s an inspiration:
As you grow in your hand-sewing journey, remember that each stitch you make could be the first step towards the glamorous world of haute couture, where every detail counts and every stitch is an art.
Learning how to hand sew with just a needle and thread, humble as it may start, holds the potential to stitch you into the rich tapestry of haute couture.
For other skill-enhancing articles, check our Sewing Guides archive.
