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Look in the manual of your sewing machine, which stitches do you have knowledge about? You may be like anyone who to the few they use daily.
If you own a Singer 9980 with over 800 stitches, you will surely understand what I mean. Meant.
Maybe you should see what you can do with a stitch. You will always wonder what the point of this series of stitches is on my sewing machine.
It turns out that some of them are easy to use and save yourself some stress
I have put together the most comprehensive sewing stitch list you can find and will continue to update it.
Here are 75 sewing machine stitches, their function, what they look like and what you can do with them.
Table Of Contents
Sewing Machine Basics
Even if you don’t plan to become an expert in the art of sewing, it is still essential to know these basic stitches.
They are as important to the craft as most of these stitches will repeatedly perform a sewing job.
S/N | Stitch name | Stitch Image | Application |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Straight stitch | ![]() |
All general sewing and topstitching. It can also for hand sewing machines. |
2. | Zigzag stitch | ![]() |
Edge finishing, satin stitching, stretch seams and appliqué |
3 | Triple stretch stitch | ![]() |
Reinforcement of seams in elastic and non-stretch fabric |
4. | Lock-a-Matic/fastener stitch | ![]() |
This will tie your sewing at the beginning and end. No backstitch needed |
5. | Seating stitch | ![]() |
Invisible knots at the beginning and end of sewing. |
6. | Multiple zigzag stitch | ![]() |
Multiple short stitches for overcasting, mending tears, terry sewing, patching and elastication |
7. ] |
Overcasting stitch | ![]() |
Finishing an edge |
8. | Knit stitch | ![]() |
Sewing knitted and stretch fabrics. Sews along the edge of the fabric with enough room |
9. | Blind hem stretch stitch | ![]() |
Sewing blind seams on stretch fabrics |
10. | Blindhem stitch | ![]() |
Sewing a blind hem on medium weight fabrics |
11. | Honeycomb stitch | ![]() |
Smocking, overcasting and attaching elastic to fabric. |
12. | Blind hem stitch | ![]() |
Sewing hems on stretch fabrics |
13. | Arrowhead stitch | ![]() |
Finishing seams, pleats and pockets. creation of decorative borders. |
14 | Shell or lingerie stitch | ![]() |
Shell pattern for overcasting soft fabrics in one step. |
15. | Feather stitch | ![]() |
Sewing and attaching lace to lingerie. |
16. | Four-point lingerie stitch | ![]() |
Overcasting on knit and stretch fabric. |
17. | Curve Recovery Stitch | ![]() |
Used for overcasting, patching, tear repair, elastic band and bulk reinforcement. |
18. | Down stitch | ![]() |
Automatic darning and repairing holes. |
19 | Hand-knotted stitch ] |
![]() |
Use invisible thread and increase thread tension. |
Buttonhole stitches
In addition to utility stitches, I believe buttonhole stitches to be more common in most sewing tasks. Basically, buttonhole stitches secure the edges of the buttonhole because of the knots it makes.
S/N | Stitch Name | Stitch Image | Application |
---|---|---|---|
20. | Automatic buttonhole | ![]() |
Create the buttonhole from the side of the button |
21. | Sensor buttonhole | ![]() |
By placing the button the buttonhole on a special foot. |
22. | Buttonhole stitch for keyhole | ![]() |
Buttonholes on delicate fabrics |
23. | Dress Size Round buttonhole | ![]() |
Buttonhole making on dresses. |
24. | Shirt Size Round Buttonhole | ![]() |
Create buttonhole on shirt. Suitable for medium weight fabrics |
25. | Rounded keyhole buttonhole | ![]() |
Make buttonholes on medium and heavy fabrics. Ideal for large buttons |
26. | Buttonhole knitting | ![]() |
Buttonholes in knit fabrics |
27. | Stretch buttonhole | ![]() |
Making buttonholes on stretch fabrics |
28. | Eye | ![]() |
Eye making |
29. | Buttonstitch | ![]() |
Sew button in place |
30. | Tracking Stitch | ![]() |
Reinforcement plate where extra strength , such as pocket and crotch |
31. | Down stitch | ![]() |
F.ing holes and tears |
32. | Barn stitch | ![]() |
Healing holes and tears in medium weight fabrics |
Edge stitches
These types of stitches are important if you are going to sew over one piece together at the edge. More often, edge stitches disappear in the seam and are not always visible.
S/N | Stitch name | Stitch Image | Application |
---|---|---|---|
31. | Saddle stitch | ![]() |
Sewing the edges of leather |
32. | Overcast stitch | ![]() |
Create a professional looking finish similar to a serger |
33. | Double overstitch | ![]() |
Finishing edges of fabrics that fray |
34. | Appliqué stitch | ![]() |
Attaching fringes, borders, benches and applications |
35. | Shell Tuck Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative border stitch |
36. | Ariel Stitch | ![]() |
Merge edge to edge |
37. | Double edge stitch k | ![]() |
Attach elastic to lingerie, place over narrow ribbon and thread. |
38. | Ric-Rac Stitch | ![]() |
Quick finishing of raw edges and a one-step decorative stitch |
39 | Strong overclock stitch | ![]() |
Simultaneous sewing and overcasting fabrics. |
40. | Ladder stitch | ![]() |
Create channels for elastic and ribbon. |
Satin stitching (tamasic stitch)
Satin Stitches gives finesse to your sewing. In principle, I used satin stitches when filling or covering a part of a fabric. You could say it’s a decorating stitch too.
Here are quite a few satin stitches for your sewing job:
S/N | Stitch name | Stitch image | Application |
---|---|---|---|
41. | Crescent satin stitch | ![]() |
For decoration |
42. | Half Arrowhead Satin Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative purposes |
43. | Ribbon satin stitch ] |
![]() |
Decorative purposes |
44. | Wavy satin stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
45. | Walls of Troy | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
46. | Domino Satin stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
47. | Beading satin stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
48. | Satin stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
49. | Sunburst satin stitch | ![]() |
Decorative |
50. | Drop Satin Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative Stitch |
51. | Royal Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative Target |
52. | Plain scallop stitch | ![]() |
Decorative and border stitches |
53. | Diamond stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
54. | Starburst stitch | ![]() |
Decorative and border purposes |
55. | Honeycomb stitch | ![]() |
|
Cross stitches
A cross stitch comprises two half stitches, this results in aligning designs and h et making specific shapes. Usually cross-stitching for decorative purposes.
S/N | Stitch name | Stitch Image | Application |
---|---|---|---|
56. | Excalibur Close stitch | ![]() |
Decorative purposes |
57. ] |
Argyle Stitch | ![]() |
Used when sewing heirlooms for decorative finishing |
Decorative stitches
Decorative stitches with embroidery stitches. However, decorative stitches just like utility stitches. What makes them different is their length and width, which are unlike regular stitches
S/N | Stitch Name | Stitch Image | Application |
---|---|---|---|
59. | Arch Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative purposes |
60. | Random Zig Zag | ![]() |
Sewing elastic seams on heavy fabrics. |
61. | Flag stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch for sleeves, front of dresses and blouses. Also used when joining two fabrics with space in between. |
62. | Chevron | ![]() |
Decorative purposes |
63. | Castle stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
64. | Block stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
65. | Kite stitch ] |
![]() |
Decorative purposes |
66. | Key stitches | ![]() |
Decorative |
67. | Icicle Stitching | ![]() |
Decorative stitching |
68. | Herringbone Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitching |
69. | Half Arrowhead | ![]() |
Decorative Stitch |
70. | Herringbone stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
71. | Lightening Stitch | ![]() |
Insert patches and decorative embroidery. |
72. | Rampart Seam | ![]() |
Overlapping seems and decorative borders. |
73. | Domino Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative purposes |
74. | Diamond stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
75. | Crown stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch |
76. | Star stitch | ![]() |
Decorative stitch ] |
77 | Serpentine Stitch | ![]() |
Decorative purposes and elastic band attachment |
78 | Circum stitch | ![]() |
The trailing stitch is a long stitch joining single fabric bands |
Conclusion
Like any sewing enthusiast, there will be countless stitches on your sewing machine. Chances are you don’t understand a large percentage of these stitches.
Let’s hope this guide helped you discover how to use these stitches on your sewing machines.
]
This list is not exhaustive. I keep updating it. (If you find an error or problems with the stitches, let me know!)
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