Hand stitches have many uses. Before the sewing machine, garment-making was done exclusively by hand. However, in today’s home sewing world of sophisticated sewing machines and sergers, few garments are made entirely by hand. But, many home-sewn and
custom-made garments continue to have some type of hand stitching used primarily as finishing techniques (hemming, securing fasteners, etc.). Thus, knowing and understanding the proper stitch to use is important to the item’s appearance as well as its function and longevity. Depending on the stitch and its use, some techniques require double thread (sewing on a button, or securing hooks/eyes and snaps), but most are worked with single thread. A relatively short length of thread is strongly recommended. Thread that is too long can become tangled easily and will tend to fray and break.
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Hand stitches have many uses. Before the sewing machine, garment-making was done exclusively by hand. However, in today’s home sewing world of sophisticated sewing machines and sergers, few garments are made entirely by hand. But, many home-sewn and
custom-made garments continue to have some type of hand stitching used primarily as finishing techniques (hemming, securing fasteners, etc.). Thus, knowing and understanding the proper stitch to use is important to the item’s appearance as well as its function and longevity. Depending on the stitch and its use, some techniques require double thread (sewing on a button, or securing hooks/eyes and snaps), but most are worked with single thread. A relatively short length of thread is strongly recommended. Thread that is too long can become tangled easily and will tend to fray and break.