Types of Basic Sewing Stitches for Beginners

Sewing your own clothes is a great way to find relaxation and renewal in your life. While hand-sewing or machine-sewing may initially seem overwhelming and tedious, it shouldn’t stop anyone from trying it for themselves. The following types of basic sewing stitches for beginners will help anyone get into the habit of sewing fabrics into new, beautiful items.

Running Stitch

The running stitch is a good first-time stitching method to learn. It’s perfect for simple seams, hand quilting, and felt-based projects. To perform a running stitch, hold layers of material together. Then bring the needle up through the fabric, then back down, and repeat at even intervals. Smaller stitches will give more security, too. You could also use a stronger variation in which you sew a running stitch, then sew back over with another running stitch.

Backstitch

This stitching method is more popular with embroidery. The backstitch creates strong, permanent seams to hold fabrics. Simply bring a needle up through the fabric away from where the seam will begin. Then, bring it down at the beginning of the seam. Come back up away from the last stitch, and then go back down at the end of it.

Whip Stitch

The whip stitch is best for sewing together flat-edged materials. Many sewers prefer it because it allows them to finish the seam without it unraveling. To do this, simply bring the needle up through the fabric, loop around the edge, and come up again. The stitch should always come from the back to the front to wrap the thread around the fabric edge.