Source:
https://www.wikihow.com/Sew
Things You Should Know
-
Practice making a straight stitch to learn the basics of
sewing by hand.
-
Try other beginner stitches like the basting, zig-zag,
and slip stitch for specific sewing or project needs.
-
Create decorative details on fabric with simple stitches
like the backstitch or blanket stitch.
Sewing a Straight Stitch
-
1
Thread your sewing needle and
tie the ends of the thread together. When it
comes to thread,
more is better. Cut at least two times the
amount of thread you think you’ll need just to
be safe. Then, take one end of the thread
between your thumb and forefinger and glide it
through the eye of the needle.
Guide the thread through the needle until the
thread is even on both sides. Pinch the ends of
the thread together and tie a small overhand
knot at the end. [1]
-
If you have trouble threading the needle, no
worries! Look for sewing needles with larger
eyes. These will make threading easier but
leave bigger puncture holes.
-
Sewing needles come in a variety of sizes,
ranging from 8 to 19 to represent the
needle’s gauge. The smaller the number, the
larger the gauge and thicker the needle will
be.[2]
-
Cut the thread with sharp
scissors to keep the ends from fraying.
-
Lick the end of the thread, so it’s easier
to glide through the needle’s eye.
-
2
Pierce the needle through the side of the fabric
people won’t see. This side of the fabric is
often referred to as the "wrong side," and is
typically the inside part of a piece of clothing
or stuffed toy. [3] For
example, if you’re sewing a seam, turn the
garment inside out so the "wrong side" is facing
out. Poke the needle into the fabric on the far
edge of where your stitch will start. Then, pull
the needle and thread through until the thread’s
knot hits the fabric. [4]
-
Use gentle pressure when poking and pulling
the needle to avoid yanking the thread
through the fabric.
-
If your knot goes through the fabric, simply
make a bigger knot and try again.
-
3
Guide the needle through the other side of the
fabric. Flip your fabric over and pierce the
needle through about a 1⁄4 in
(0.64 cm) from where you poked the first hole,
following a straight line. Pull the entire
length of the thread through the fabric until
you feel resistance—this is your first stitch. [5]
-
Draw a line on your fabric with a pencil or fabric
chalk or marker to use as a guide while
you sew.[6]
-
Pull the thread tight enough for the stitch
to lay flat on the fabric but not so tight
that it bunches the fabric underneath.
-
The bigger the space between your needle
pokes, the longer your stitches will be.
-
4
Continue stitching until you reach the end of
the fabric. With each poke of the needle,
turn the fabric over. Keep the same distance
between stitches by poking the needle in and out
with an equal space between each hole. Continue
sewing till the end of the fabric or pattern. [7]
-
A straight stitch is often called a running
stitch because it continues in a straight
line following a dashed-line pattern,
similar to a running path.
-
5
Finish the stitching with a knot. Poke the
needle through the wrong side of the fabric, but
only pull the thread halfway through (this
creates a loop of thread). Weave the needle up
into the loop and pull snugly until the thread
is flat against the fabric—you’ve successfully
made a knot! Repeat this 2 to 3 times to ensure
the knot stays in place. [8]
Other Basic Stitches for Beginners
-
1
Hold two layers of fabric together temporarily
with a basting stitch. Fold a piece of
fabric to create two folds, or lay two pieces of
fabric on top of each other. Pinch together the
layers of fabric and insert the needle
horizontally. Keeping the needle parallel, drive
it into the fabric about 1⁄4 in
(0.64 cm) away from your first hole. Pull the
needle through to make your first stitch. Repeat
this process until you reach the end of your
pattern or fabric. [9]
-
This type of stitch can be used to replace
sewing pins as it can be easily removed.
-
2
Use a zig-zag or catch stitch to help fabric
stretch. Pierce the needle through the wrong
side of the fabric where you’d like the stitch
to start. Pull the thread through, then bring
the needle down into the fabric at a diagonal
about 1⁄4 in
(0.64 cm) from your first hole. Push the needle
back up through the first hole to create a
point—this is your first stitch. Repeat this
process going left to right until, creating
points by sliding the needle through the first
hole of the stitch. [10]
-
This stitch is most commonly used to sew in
elastic waistbands.[11]
-
3
Create an invisible stitch with a slip stitch. Also
known as a ladder stitch, a slip stitch binds
and closes two pieces of fabric together. To make
a slip stitch, pierce the needle on the
inside fold of the fabric, so the knot is hidden
inside the folded gap or seam. Make a 1⁄4 inch
(0.64 cm) horizontal stitch on top of the
opposite fold across from where you first
pierced the needle. Pull the thread through to
create a stitch. Continue sewing until you reach
the end of the seam or gap. [12]
-
This stitch is often used to close stuffed
animals after they’re stuffed.
-
4
Sew two pieces of fabric tightly together with a
backstitch. Backstitching is
basically a straight stitch without any gaps.
Push a threaded needle through the underside of
2 pieces of fabric about 1⁄4 in
(0.64 cm) away from the fabric’s edge. Bring the
needle down through the fabric at the edge,
moving back from the hole you previously made.
Drive the needle horizontally underneath the
fabric so that it’s parallel to your body. Note
that if the tail end of your thread is bisecting
where the needle is going in and out of the
fabric, your stitches will be even. Pull the
needle through to create your stitch. [13]
-
This stitch is often used to embroider
letters and sew pieces of clothing together.
-
5
Make a bound seam with a whipstitch. Also
known as the overcast stitch, a whipstitch
connects 2 pieces of fabric. Sew
a whipstitch by bringing 2 edges of fabric
together (in this case, these edges are referred
to as flaps). Stab a threaded needle through the
corner of one flap individually, as this hides
the thread’s knot. Pinch the flaps together, and
push the needle through both layers from front
to back. Pull the thread until it’s flush with
the fabric to make your first stitch. Bring the
needle back to the front and repeat. [14]
-
This stitch can be used to hem jeans and
close the sides of pillows, cushions, and
stuffed animals.
-
6
Create a decorative border using a blanket
stitch. To sew
a blanket stitch, put 2 pieces of fabric
together or fold a piece of fabric in half.
Pierce the edge of one of the fabric flaps with
a threaded needle and pull. Hold the fabric
flaps together and bring the needle through both
of them. Weave the needle up into the loop of
thread at the top of the fabric, and pull
tightly until the thread is flush with the
fabric. Create your next stitch about 1⁄4 in
(0.64 cm) away from the first, piercing the same
side of fabric as the first stitch. [15]
-
This stitch is commonly used to make
napkins, stuffed animals, and blankets.
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