Sewing Machine Stitches Library – 75 Unique Types & Applications Full Guide of 2023

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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.

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.
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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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