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taeliac — Tutorial: Basic Hand Stitches
Published: 2010-07-04 03:26:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 48033; Favourites: 806; Downloads: 1105
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Description
Download for printable PDF file
Here are the (admittedly, very simple) instructions for (again, admittedly, very simple) hand sewing stitches.
These were put together for the class we're teaching next week, but I thought some of you may want to know some basic hand sewing techniques, too, so I'm uploading this as well!
This is specifically meant to work with my Simple Bag Tutorial , but shall work for any time you're looking to sew something!
And, yes, because someone is going to point it out, that last one isn't an "applique stitch," it's just a modified whip stitch over the top, but that's a little more to explain to 12-year olds who may or may not have ever sewn before, so I figured, call it something simple and that be that.
So, please, anyone who wants to point that out to me shall have it pointed out that they are too lazy to read, and to please go away…
Also, did I ever mention how much I <3 Illustrator? I'm starting to feel like I should have been a technical illustrator, and not a sewing person... alas XP
Please do not redistribute, edit, repost, or claim as your own. You can link to this deviation, no problem, but you cannot repost them.
©2010 Sam Lemieux (`taeliac ) \\ BeAnime.com \\ Taeliac.Etsy.com
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Comments: 43
Hiya! I hope you don't mind but I have linked this tutorial into the description of my own sewing tutorial (to help some people with terminology). Thank you for providing a wonderful resource!
[link]
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So...... USEFUL!!!
Geez. Thank you for making this!
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Any time!! I use these incessantly, and I'm thinking about trying to make similar diagrams of some more slightly advanced stitches - are they easy enough to follow?
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Yes, and it's nice to have one image with a variety of stitches clearly shown and named.
How about one that shows types of ways to start or end your string? I was only ever taught one way to start a string (basically dredlock-rolling a giant random knot) and everything else I make up. 
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Finally, a tutorial about stitching that shows you in a simple way instead of paragraphs of complicated manuvers. lol Thanks for posting! I only have one question, what is the best stitch to sew on the head to the body of plush? (Even if the stitch isn't posted here, I'll go look for it) I'm having problems with that, they just don't end up looking nice. :/
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All I ever do is the running stich >.< But maybe I'll learn these now, you're picture makes them look not so hard!
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How fun! I'm a super-noob at sewing, good to have some nice, easily understandable visuals.
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it's a pdf. I couldn't see it either, had to download it.
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Thank you for the awesome tutorial, I just started sewing today, and already this helped me out!
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I'm designing a website for a school assignment, and one of the major parts of the site included tutorials and I wanted to ask if I could use this image as a thumbnail (credited to you), but since you said that we cannot repost, I won't use it. Please let me know if I do have your permission to use a thumbnail of this deviation. The website won't actually be live, it's just the flat design.
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Oh, thank you eve so much for asking! You most definitely have my permission to do so
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Thank you very much, I will show you the designs if you like, once I finish the project.
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Thank you sooo much. This is super clear about the most basic stitches. Honestly, you would think you'd be able to find a guide on these that are really clear, but I couldn't until now.
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Thank you so much I've been trying to figure out how to make a back stitch for a long time now, and I also have a question for you. Besides a running stitch, which stitch do you think is best for sewing things together because I use the running stitch and the things I make seem not want to stay together or not very well?
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Thank you for taking the time to share your tutorials. I'm not sure why, but most stitch illustrations seem harder to follow. Your work is very clear and easy to understand.
Much appreciated!
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hey, i was wondering, what would you use a backstitch for? is it stronger than a running stitch?
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Yes! It is much, much more durable, because each stitch basically "locks" the previous, so it can take more of a beating easily (it's great for plushies, I just found out today - it keeps the stuffing in place better than just a regular running stitch!)
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Cool! Even though I already know how to do these, I'm sure it will be a really helpful tute for many.
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Not a problem!! They're the foundations for all hand sewing stuff - once you master these, you can do just about anything!
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Ooh very nicely done
That's a lovely little tutorial right there - than you for taking the time to share this ^^
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ohhh I love you so much right now! Mum has been trying to teach me the back stitch for quite awhile but I keep forgetting! Now I can just refer back to this when I do 
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Omigooooooosh. Thank you so so so so much. Recently, I checked out two books from the library, "Subversive Seamster" by Melissa Alvarado, Hope Meng, and Melissa Rannels, and "Let's Make Cute Stuff" by Aranzi Aronzo (Have you heard of either?). And their descriptions of backstitches were always so confusing!! Thanks for clearing up the mess.
Thanks again. C: <3
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I really appreciate these handy dandy tutorials, taeliac!!!
These would have been SO handy when making my sister's steampunk bag, since it's similar in design. -.-;;
Shame you didn't include the saddle stitch... granted, it works best in leather but it's the one I most often use when sewing!!! God bless the saddle stitch!!!!!
AND WELCOME BACK TO DA!
I've moved btw... if u need my new addy for hair stickies. I hope that you are in better health, I always worry when you disappear ;_;.
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Excellent visual guide, although the backstitch looks like what I was taught as half-backstitch.
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That is one of the best illustrations of a back stitch I've ever seen! Nice and simple and the angle is easy to view. I hate when sewing illustrations have endless dotted lines trying to explain how a stitch is supposed to go.
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Thank you! It may seem basic, but it helps a lot for beginners.
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Hehe, I certainly hope so! It's really hard to try to explain a backstitch to people, so hopefully, this will make it easier
Plus, it may keep people from being too afraid of it being difficult to hand sew
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