The Backstitch by Hand
@Clever Poppy
@Elin Petronella
@SewArtistry
Step-by-Step Instructions:
The backstitch is one of the strongest, most versatile hand stitches you can learn. It creates a solid, continuous line of thread that is perfect for outlining embroidery patterns or securely sewing two pieces of fabric together when you don’t have a machine.
Materials Needed:
- Fabric
- Embroidery hoop (optional, but helpful)
- Hand sewing needle or embroidery needle
- Thread or embroidery floss
- Small scissors
- Water-soluble marking pen (optional)
Tips for Success:
- Keep your stitches short and consistent in length. This is the secret to a smooth, professional-looking line.
- When going around tight curves, make your stitches even shorter so the curve looks perfectly smooth rather than jagged.
1. Thread the Needle and Knot
- Cut a length of thread or embroidery floss about the length of your forearm. Thread your needle and tie a sturdy knot at the very end of the thread.
2. Draw Your Line (Optional)
- If you are embroidering an outline, use a water-soluble marker or tailor’s chalk to draw the line or curve you want to stitch on your fabric.
3. Bring the Needle Up
- Start at the beginning of your line. Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric to the front, pulling the thread all the way through until the knot catches securely on the back.
4. Take Your First Stitch
- Push the needle back down through the fabric one stitch length forward (usually about 1/8 to 1/4 inch, depending on your project). Pull the thread taut. You have now created one standard running stitch.
5. Come Up Ahead of the Stitch
- From the back of the fabric, bring the needle up one full stitch length ahead of where your first stitch ended.
6. Stitch “Back” into the Same Hole
- Here is the magic! Push your needle back down into the exact same hole where your previous stitch ended. Pull the thread taut. You have just completed your first backstitch, creating a seamless, continuous line. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until your line is finished!
Top FAQs for the Backstitch:
What is a backstitch used for? +
The backstitch is primarily used in embroidery to create sharp, solid outlines and text. In garment sewing, it is considered the strongest hand stitch available and is frequently used to repair popped seams or sew pieces together when a sewing machine isn’t available.
Why does my backstitch look uneven or jagged? +
Uneven backstitches happen for two reasons: your stitch lengths are varying in size, or you are not pushing the needle down into the exact same hole that the previous stitch ended in. Leaving a tiny gap between stitches disrupts the smooth line.
How many strands of embroidery floss should I use? +
Embroidery floss comes with six individual strands. For delicate, fine outlines (like small text or facial features), use 1 or 2 strands. For bold, thick outlines, use 3 to 6 strands. It entirely depends on the look you want to achieve.
Is the backstitch the same as machine backstitching? +
They share a name and a concept (going backward over your work to lock it), but they are different. A machine backstitch simply reverses the machine to tie a knot at the beginning or end of a seam. A hand backstitch is a continuous method of moving backward to create a solid line.
How do I turn a sharp corner with a backstitch? +
To create a crisp point or corner, make sure your stitch ends exactly on the point of the corner. Bring the needle up for the next stitch on the new line, and stitch directly back down into that shared corner hole. Never try to bend a single stitch around a corner.
How do I tie off my thread when I’m finished? +
When you reach the end of your line (or are running out of thread), bring the needle to the back of the fabric. Slide the needle under the nearest stitch on the back, pull until a loop forms, pass the needle through the loop, and pull tight to create a knot. Snip the excess thread.
