Do you want to sew your clothes, create crafts, and take on sewing projects? Then you must have a sound knowledge of different types of stitching. The fact is, it depends on the apparel to take the type of sewing stitch. But before that, let us get back to history. It will help you understand how stichting has seen its enrichment with various kinds. 

 

Did you know it has been more than 20,000 years since people started stitching? Yes, we are talking about the last Ice Age! Then developing through a long stage, we began modern stitching from 1846 when Elias Howe patented America's maiden practical sewing machine.

 

Anyway, there are some stitches for hand sewing and some for machine sewing. Then what to choose? Well, you better go through the points below to get a clear idea of this. We have discussed this topic in three categories for your better understanding. 

 

Types of Stitching

 

This guide shall pave the way for you for sure. Whether you stitch individually or run a business, you will benefit. Dive now to see how it is! 

 

Major Types of Hand Stitching 

 

Here we go! Don’t think that the days of hand stitching are gone. Let us start with it and learn them one by one.  

 

Running Stitch

 

Among the types of hand stitches, the running stitch or straight stitch is substantial. It is the mother of hand-sewing and different types of embroidery. You will be glad to see its various applications, such as tucking, mending, and gathering. 

 

Professionals employ this to sew basic seams, hems, and decorative embroidery. Also, it serves your darning purpose. Here, you will have to arrange resembling rows of various straight stitches. It creates a geometric pattern. It is the basic module of many traditional embroidery styles like Kantha of Bangladesh, India. Getting more extended, it turns into a basting stitch. 

 

Backstitch

 

As a couture clothing designer, you may opt for seams’ strength and durability if you look for seams’ strength and durability. You can use it to create embroidery letters or for outlining shapes for embroidery. True, it’s a bit slower,  but it is simply great for decorative works. It is even stronger than a simple running stitch. 

 

Blanket Stitch

 

You can apply this on the edges of blankets, tea towels, or quilts. It is adorable for making embroidery flowers. It allows you to connect pieces of fabric in felt toys and sewing projects. You can use this for both functional and decorative purposes. The Buttonhole Stitch is quite similar to this. Just for a single difference, you need to sew from right to left. 

 

Catch Stitch

 

For thicker fabrics like wool, it is highly preferable. You will get amazed at its hemming or stitching in some work. These are -

 

  • Knit hems

  • Wool skirts

  • Wide hems

  • Thick fabric

  • Couture fashion

 

Cross Stitch

 

In this technique, various fabrics and thread textures result in a good-looking product. Angel stitching can indeed be an excellent example of this. Customers love cross stitching design like cross stitching flowers in their towels or bed covers. 

 

So it would help best if you mastered designing cross stitching flower for your business. Else, you must have seen cross stitching Christmas ornaments. These are pretty popular. You will have dozens of ideas online to feed your head as well. Usually, experts do it on open-weave fabrics. And you can create an outstanding pattern by cross-stitching threads, especially in a skirt with a country look and peasant blouses. The ideal cross stitching needle sizes are 24 and 26. It has been most helpful in -

 

  • tapestry 

  • crewel embroidery

  • needlepoint

  • rug-making

 

You will have lots of modern cross stitching kits and free cross stitching patterns online to apply. And having a years-long experience in Print Britannia, we recommend stranded cotton as it is one of the best cross stitching threads to deal with 14 counts and 16 counts Aida. You will find it fantastic for mixing the number of threads! 

 

Major Types of Stitching by Machine 

 

Now come to stitching by machine. It’s no surprise that the innovation machine has revolutionised the stitching industry. Moreover, modern technology is a great plus in this regard. Please go through the points below to see the picture! 

 

Straight Stitch

 

Straight Stitch is lovable for lovely tiny stitches in the rows. Only that? No! You can employ this for sewing hems, seams, topstitch, and even finish edges. Especially for flat-felled seams, you cannot but thank this method as it creates a perfect fold line. This sort of stitching will help you suit various fabrics for excellent decorative works. Machines like Innov-is NS80E Sewing Machine, TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine will be handy in this respect. 

 

Overcast Stitch

 

Don’t you need to resist the unknotting of the fabric? Oh yes, you do! Then it would be best if you relied on the overcast or overlock stitching technique. Overall, it will help you surround a raw, unfinished edge or seam. You can use an overcast foot or regular foot. Especially in uniting crochet block pieces of an afghan blanket, this type of stitching is perfect. 

 

Leather Stitching 

 

For decorative work, leather stitching is another good option. A thicker thread-like bonded nylon will be best for leather stitching. And the leather stitching tools you need overall are -

 

  • A sewing needles 

  • Ice pick

  • Fork 

  • Sewing awl/hammer/nails

  • Binder clips

  • Small clamps

 

The best recommendable leather stitching machine for industrial production can be the Juki DDL8700H High-Speed Lock-Stitch Sewing Machine. Otherwise, the Janome HD3000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine can best serve your domestic purposes. 

 

Zig-Zag Stitch

 

Zig-Zag stitching is all about stitching side to side geometrically. You can easily adjust various widths and lengths through a simple setting change in the machine. Machines like ECONOSEW 20U93, Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Zigzag Walking Foot Sewing Machine are recommended for 2021. This technique can be superbly handy for -

 

  • seam finishing

  • decorative sewing such as applique 

  • sewing stretch fabric 

  • sewing elastic in the legs and neck 

 

Blind Hem Stitch

 

Are you looking for invisible wide hems to apply to your garment? Then an ideal solution is Blind Hem stitching. Moreover, you can use this for stitching waterproof seams. 

 

This is a machine-friendly method too! You will find its pathway on most of the modern sewing machines. The good thing is, blind hem stitches are totally hidden on the front side of a garment and almost hidden on the inside portion. It makes your product more attractive, no doubt. You will find it helpful for connecting separate folded edges like attaching pockets, facings, and trimmings. 

 

Beyond the Typical 

 

With the help of advanced technology, experts have come up with some other kinds of stitching apart from the two mentioned above. We are going to dwell on the most significant three. Here they are!

 

Sublime Stitching 

 

This embroidery studio introduced tattoos, robots, pinups, and rock-and-roll to embroidery patterns for the first time. It can be a great inspiration for doing something new. Getting skilled, you can earn a lot from these trendy services, no doubt.  

 

Image Stitching

 

Do you want to commemorate some of your great memories? Then photo stitching is the best solution for you! You can choose the most advanced software like Hugin, Image Composite Editor (ICE), PhotoStitcher, Panoweaver 10, Panorama Stitcher for stitching photos satisfactorily. And if it is about stitching photographs together, then we suggest Bimostitch. 

 

Drop Stitching

 

To create open, vertical stripes in a cloth, you should go for drop stitching. You are free to do this either by hand or by machine. You just need to knit a solid fabric. Then drop one or more stitches repeatedly until you reach the bottom. This type of stitching is favourable for making scarfs. 

 

Pro Tips 

 

Want some stitching and sewing tips from our egghead staff? Want to see your heyday in the stitching business? Please go through the tips below! 

 

  • Slip Stitch or Ladder Stitch will be great for stitching pillows.

 

  • For a top-quality wallet, you may prioritise traditional saddle stitching leather. Still, it is one of the best hand stitching leather techniques in the world. 

 

  • Go for the best stitching box such as DDXTJ-DMM Wooden Sewing Basket, Relaxdays XL Bamboo Sewing Box, Groves MRM/137 Sewing Basket, Rosenice Wooden Sewing Box, etc. 

 

  • Choose patchwork technique while slow stitching to sew things like a bag, book cover, purse. 

 

  • For industrial production, set up a stitching factory of your own instead of renting. 

 

  • If you are a start-up, your goal should be beating Stitching Bits and Bobs by outperforming day by day.

 

  • You can rely on a compass tool or tweezers as an alternative to stitching awl. 

 

  • For you, the best cross stitching stands can be Frank A. Edmunds Universal Craft Stand or Guofa Adjustable Embroidery Stand.

 

  • Hat stitching is as trendy as profitable. You had better go for Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine or Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger and Embroidery Machine as your hat stitching machine for the best output. 

 

  • Stretch Stitching by hand will be best for better control and improves coordination. 

 

To Wrap Up

Getting versed in different stitch types and their ways of usage shall help you become a seasoned craftsman. You might be a novice or a master designer. Whatever it is, now you know all the available and exceptional types of stitching. Now you are all set to try something extraordinary. Wish you a stroke of good luck!