Hand sewing
Hand sewing: technique guides for UK sewists.
I poke through every pattern and product so you only get the best.
– Pinny
Basting (tacking) by hand and machine
Basting is temporary long stitching to hold pieces in place or test fit. By hand it's a long running stitch; by machine, the longest straight stitch.
How to tie a quilter's knot
A quilter's knot is a neat, consistent knot at the end of your thread: wrap the thread round the needle a few times, pinch the wraps and pull the needle through.
Running stitch and backstitch
Running stitch passes in and out of the fabric at small, regular intervals and is the stitch used for tacking (basting) layers together until they are sewn permanently. Backstitch goes back along the line into the end of the previous stitch for a continuous line.
Slip stitch (ladder stitch) for invisible closing
Ladder stitch closes a turning gap invisibly: take small stitches inside each folded edge in turn, then pull the thread and the gap closes like a zip.
Whip stitch (overcast stitch)
Whip stitch, also called overcast stitch, goes up and over the edge of fabric or a fold in small diagonal loops. The stitching shows, so it is best on hidden areas, such as holding a facing at a shoulder seam, or to limit fraying.