Even though people have been sewing since the Paleolithic era, sewing still looks like a daunting job especially if we don't have a clue how to use thread and needle. However, it is impossible to cover such a broad topic in just one article. Therefore, this article is aimed at beginners (really beginners) who want to do basic stitches by hand.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Learning the Basics of Sewing
Step 1. Iron or wash the fabric to be sewn
If your fabric tends to wrinkle, you'll be grateful to have ironed or washed it first. Do this well before you start sewing -- the fabric should be completely dry.
- Follow the washing instructions for the specific fabric. Whether you are machine washing, hand washing, or hanging drying, these instructions must be followed.
- If you dry the fabric in a tumble dryer and your fabric is slightly wrinkled, iron it. This will make it easier for you when sewing.
Step 2. Thread the thread through the eye of the needle
Regarding the length of thread to be used, the longer the better. Cut the thread twice as long as you actually need. Holding one end with your thumb and forefinger, insert it through the eye of the needle. Then, slide the needle toward the center so that it divides the thread into two equal length strands. After that, knot the two ends of the thread.
To make it easier for you to thread the thread through the eye of the needle, cut the thread with sharp scissors and lick the end of the thread. If you don't, the thread may be too thick or your needle is too small
Method 2 of 3: Sewing Your First Straight Stitch
Step 1. Insert the needle from the back side of the fabric
That is, stick the needle from the side that people won't see. Pull the needle out (you may need a bit of force), followed by the thread, until your thread pull is stopped by the knot. If the knot doesn't stick to the fabric, make a bigger knot.
- The reason you start from the back side of the fabric is so that the knot isn't on the front (visible part) of the garment or fabric.
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If your knot goes through the fabric, there could be several reasons for this:
- You may need to make a bigger knot
- Your needle may be too large, puncturing the fabric the same size as or larger than the knot, allowing the knot to penetrate the fabric
- You may be tapping the thread too hard once the knot is stuck under the fabric
Step 2. Insert the needle from the front side of the fabric
Insert the needle back into the back side, near your first stitch. Pull the entire length of the thread and keep pulling until you feel the thread is stuck. You've just made your first stitch on the front side of the fabric! Safe! Looks like a little dash, doesn't it?
The stitches should be tight enough to keep the fabric flat, but not too tight as this will cause the fabric to wrinkle under the stitches
Step 3. Repeat the two steps
Keeping each stitch close to the previous stitch, insert the needle from the back side again. Pull the thread and here it is -- your second stitch. Continue this step, making sure that each stitch is the same length as the previous stitch.
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Generally, stitches should be straight lines, more or less like this computerized version:
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This stitch, which has a gap between each stitch, is called a basting stitch. This stitch is usually used to hold fabric together or join pieces of fabric together
Step 4. Finish by stabbing from the front side
You're done! The needle and thread should now be on the back side, which you can finish by making another knot. Make the knot as close to your fabric as possible -- if you don't, your stitches will move or stretch.
However, there is another alternative. You can stick the needle into the front side, but don't pull the thread too tightly, so you make a loop of thread on the back side. Then, stick the needle back into the back side, and again close to the stitch you made earlier. Pull it tight so as not to form a loop on the front side, but keep the loop on the back side intact. Now, thread the needle through the loop and pull the thread to tighten it, eliminating the loop. The loop serves to hold the thread on the fabric. Reinsert the needle through the hem twice to secure it
Method 3 of 3: Mastering Other Stitches
Step 1. Practice tighter stitches
The basting stitch, as described above, is a good way to start. However, the greater the stitch spacing, the more likely it is to tear or unravel.
Bare stitches have long stitches – while stronger stitches have short or medium stitches. Therefore, when viewed from the front side, the next stitch should be as close as possible to the previous stitch
Step 2. Start practicing the zig zag stitch (winding)
This is a back-and-forth stitch and is used when straight stitches are not possible, such as reinforcing buttons or sewing with stretchable fabrics. This stitch can also be used to temporarily hold two pieces of fabric sewn together at the edges. This stitch looks like a winding road (as the name implies) and also the stitch distance consists of short, medium, and long distances.
The blind stitch is a variant of the zigzag stitch. This stitch is also known as a "blind hem." This stitch is very similar to the zigzag stitch, except that there are several straight stitches. This stitch is used to create an invisible hem; it is said to be invisible because the bends are not on the front side of the fabric. With a small number of crooked stitches on the front of the fabric, it will make the stitches less visible
Step 3. Sew two pieces of fabric together
When your skills have improved to this point, stack two pieces of fabric together with the back of each cloth facing out (and the front of each cloth facing each other). Trim the edge of the fabric where you want to combine the two fabrics. Sew along the edge of the fabric.
When you're done, pull the two pieces of fabric in opposite directions. The two will stick together in the hem you just sewed, but the thread will be almost invisible. However, a better way to do this is with a soom stitch (slip stitching)
Step 4. Patch the holes in the fabric
Sewing perforated or torn fabric is not that difficult. Simply pinch the edges of the holes together, towards the inside of the fabric (back side of the fabric). Sew the edges together in a single hem. Use short stitches (nearly no gaps between stitches) so that the torn part doesn't open.
Tips
- Wet the end of the thread with your mouth to make it easier for you to insert the thread through the eye of the needle.
- Try to use a thread that matches the fabric so that the difference isn't too noticeable if you make a sewing mistake.
