How to Hand Sew a Durable Backstitch (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

1. Prepare the Needle and Mark the Seam

   Thread a needle with a piece of thread no longer than a yard. Longer pieces tend to get tangled and knot as you sew. Knot the end of the threadwith a large knot that won't pull through the fabric. For extra strength, you can knot the two ends together to double the thread.

   To keep your seam as straight and tidy as possible, it's helpful to mark the line of stitching with a thin pencil line. On straight seams, use a ruler. For curves, measure the seam allowance, make short marks along the seam, and then connect them so you have a guide to follow.

   

2. Make the First Stitch

   Push the needle into the fabric where you want to start the seam. Bring the needle back through both layers of fabric just in front of where the knot is. Then, push the needle back into the fabric between where the needle went in and out of the fabric to create the first stitch.

   

3. Continue to Stitch

   Bring the needle through the fabric the same distance you came forward when creating the first stitch. These stitches can touch each other, or you can space them a little farther apart. Continue stitching in this fashion across your seam.

   Take your time to sew small stitches if you need a secure seam. This is especially important for parts of a garment that need durability, such as a crotch seam. For other sewing projects that don't require high durability, you can make the stitches a little longer if you want to work faster.

   

4. Finish the Seam

   Once you've sewn a distance, you will see the threads overlap on the reverse side of the fabric. If you're sewing very small stitches, they'll almost appear as a solid line. To finish the seam, make a few stitches right on top of one another. This will anchor the thread like a knot. Cut any excess thread off the knot at the beginning.