Backstitch Working from right to left, bring the needle up at 1 and insert behind the starting point at 2. Bring the needle up at 3, repeat by inserting at 1 and bringing the needle up at a point that [..]

Stitching in reverse for a short distance at the beginning and ending of a seamline to secure the stitches. Most machines have a button or knob for this function (also called backstitch).

A line of reinforcement stitching often placed at areas of stress on a garment. Bartacks are created with short zigzag stitches (by machine) or whipstitches (by hand).

Uses long, loose stitches to hold something in place temporarily. To baste by machine, use the longest straight stitch length available on your machine. To baste by hand, use stitches at least 1⁄4& [..]

Using the longest straight stitch length on your machine, baste to temporarily hold fabric layers and seams in position for final stitching. It can also be done by hand. When basting, use a contrastin [..]

The direction across a fabric that is located at a 45-degree angle from the lengthwise or crosswise grain. The bias has high stretch and a very fluid drape.

Made from fabric strips cut on a 45-degree angle to the grainline, the bias cut creates an edging fabric that will stretch to enclose smooth or curved edges. You can buy bias tape ready-made or make y [..]

Blanket Stitch Working from left to right, bring the needle up at 1 and insert at 2. Bring the needle back up at 3 and over the working thread. Repeat by making the next stitch in the same manner, kee [..]

Chain Stitch Working from top to bottom, bring the needle up at and reinsert at 1 to create a loop; do not pull the thread taut. Bring the needle back up at 2, keeping the needle above the loop and ge [..]

Involves cutting tiny slits or triangles into the seam allowance of curved edges so the seam will lie flat when turned right side out. Cut slits along concave curves and triangles (with points toward [..]