How to Backstitch by Hand Full Guide of 2023

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Do you want to know how to sew by hand? I cannot overemphasize the usefulness of topstitching in sewing projects.

Sewing at the beginning and end of each seam. Topstitching provides strength and durability to your seams. Without a lockstitch, your hem can fall out and your fabric can come loose.

Backstitch (also referred to as trunk stitch, outline stitch and split stitch) is a class of embroidery and utility stitches in which we sew each stitch backwards in the general sewing direction.

In general sewing, we also used them as a utility stitch to add strength to both ends of your seams.

Due to the small stitches that go back and forth on your fabric, the back stitch is the most rigid among the basic stitches. Top stitch can sew strong stitches by hand.

Manual backstitching

Manual backstitching is relatively simple. First, you thread your needle and mark the point where your seam would be. Then you make your first stitch. The next step is to sew in reverse and repeat as many times as you want.

Manual Backstitching Steps

Backstitching is a common procedure performed in seasoned sewers, but can be especially are quite a challenge for newcomers. It is even more difficult to backstitch by hand.

You will need some necessary sewing supplies to Top stitch, such as

1. Needle
2. Scissors
3. Pencils
4. Ruler
6. The fabric
7. Thread

Step 1: Thread your needle

Depending on what you are using your running stitches for, I recommend embroidery floss for embroidery. We can use regular threads for general sewing.

Thread your floss through the eye of the needle. It is necessary to fasten the end of the thread with a large knot that will not go through the fabric. You can tie knots at both ends to double the line. This gives it extra strength.

You should also use a double thread on your needle if you are using a regular fine line. For thicker embroidery floss, you do not need to double-thread it because it is thick enough.

Step 2: Mark your seams

Make lines on your fabric to guide you as you sew. This will help keep your seam straight and tidy. You can do this with a ruler to sew straight seams.

For curves, it is a longer process. Measure the seam allowance first, then use your pencil to make short marks along the seam.

Once you’ve done this, it becomes easy to connect them together using the pencil lines to trace. Use masking tape so that your marks are visible.

Step 3: Make your first stitch

The next step is to insert the needle into the fabric on the point where you want the seam to start. Thread the needle back through both layers of fabric 1/4 inch apart just before the button. Pull the thread up to the knot at the end.

Then push the needle back into the material between the points where you first inserted your needle to make the first stitch. this point it will look like a running stitch.

It is common to sew small stitches when topstitching.

This is because small stitches make fabric better than long stitches. As a beginner, you may use long ¼ inch stitches for now. After you have gained some experience in sewing, you can make your stitches smaller.

The ideal length for your stitches should be 1/8 inch. They usually prefer smaller stitches in areas of your fabric that require secure seams. Otherwise you can make your stitches a little longer.

More delicate fabrics usually require smaller stitches than thicker materials such as denim.

Note: Sew under a lamp or in a well-lit area. You need good lighting to get the right stitches and to make your stitches look smoother.

Step 4: Make more stitches

To make the next stitch, push the needle the same distance through the fabric when sewing the first stitch.

Keep the same length as it is crucial to keep your stitches even. Depending on how you want your stitches to look, they can touch or be a little separate from each other. Keep your style of sewing across your seam. It is essential to keep it uniform.

Step 5: Sew backwards

It is time to sew backwards. Make a small backstitch by inserting the needle where we started. Do this at the knot.

Raise the needle for the next stitch. Then make your second stitch. Keep your stitches even, keeping the same distance as the first stitch for the double stitch.

Use your ruler to keep your stitches straight and in line. Remember, the smaller your stitches, the stronger the seam will be.

Then pull your needle through to reveal your first lockstitch.

Step 6: Keep stitching back

Keep stitching back until you get to the end of your seam. If you’re sewing a hand seam, it doesn’t matter if it’s not perfectly straight, but for embroidery you want it to look as neat as possible.

That’s all you need to know how to apply backstitches to your fabric. You can easily pick up backstitches as a simple sewing project to restore your materials.

Using a back stitch for embroidery

Back we used stitches in various ways in embroidery. It is one of the basic stitches of hand embroidery besides the cross stitch and the utility stitches. It is one stitch you will need to learn how to embroider on you.

This stitch takes its name from the sewing process, which causes each stitch to reverse from the direction of the line you form.

You can decide to sew the backstitch by going from right to left or left to right. Experiment with running stitches on your fabric.

Topstitching produces a thin line of stitches that are perfect for outlining in almost all embroidery patterns. You can also use it in practice to sew two pieces of fabric together.

Although the lockstitch is relatively easy to learn, it takes some practice to make the stitches even.

The goal should be how to train your eye to see how to spread the stitches. For short lines, this can mean that someone visually divided the line into a certain number of stitches. With longer stitches you may need to count your stitches as you go so that you don’t end up with a very short or long last stitch.

What is Lockstitch Used for

It can for mending seams, sewing small projects, attaching a zipper, etc.

Related questions

Are there an alternative to a backstitch?

If you fancy a different type of stitch instead of the backstitch, you can use a running stitch. Running stitch is easy to learn. All it takes is a simple up and down motion while sewing. However, it should that it is not as strong as the backstitch.

How do you fasten a backstitch?

To secure your back stitch, simply sew a stitch on the wrong side of the fabric? Then pull the floss through until you have a small loop. Push your needle through the loop and pull the line through again until you have a small circle again.