Pretty Simple Things

Sewing Techniques

Backstitch

Backstitch secures the seam that you have just sewn so that it doesn’t unravel by securing the thread in place. To backstitch:

  1. Sew a few stitches then stop.
  2. Now press/hold the reverse button on your sewing machine and sew back over the stitches you have just sewn.
  3. Stop and sew forward over the stiches you have already sewn continuing to sew as per the instructions.

When you reach the end of your sewing, repeat step 2 and 3 but this time stop at the end of the stitches. Finally snip the thread.

Hidden Stitch

A hidden stitch closes up a seam without showing any stitches. To sew using hidden stitch you need to:

  1. Double thread your needle and tie a knot at the end
  2. Sew the needle through the fabric from the inside to the outside until the knot catches in place
  3. Sew in to the opposite fabric, directly across from your first stitch
  4. Sew back out of the same side of the fabric a couple of mm along
  5. Repeat this from one side of fabric to the other, along the length of the opening; as you sew the sides
    6. should pull together to close the gap!
  6. When you have sewn along the opening, tie off your last stitch as close to the fabric as possible. Secure
    7. the thread by sending your needle back inside your project, next to the knot, and pull it out about 3cm away.
  7. Cut the thread

Blanket Stitch

The Holiday Crafts and Creations website provides a great guide in how to do blanket stitch. Refer to the section titled ‘Sewing along edge: Two layers’.

Straight Stitch

Straight stitch is essentially what it says, a row of straight stitches one after the other. For the make your own craft kits, sew the stitches close together without leaving much of a gap.

Seam allowance

The seam allowance is the area between the edge of the material and the stitches which hold the material together.

Example: If you are advised to leave a seam allowance of 1cm this means you will sew your row of stitches 1cm from the edge of the material.

Notches

Notches are cut around the curve in a sewing project so that when you turn it the right way round, it isn’t bulky. Cut a series of notches, spaced at regular intervals around the curves of the heart making sure not to snip too close to the stitches.

Clip the point/clip the corner

There are various ways of ‘clipping’ in sewing depending on the kind of point or edge that you are using.

For the bunting and cushion projects, the type of clipping used is the same. Firstly, trim the corner of the point being careful not to cut the stitches themselves.

Secondly trim from the edges to the point at an angle to create a sharper point.

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