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Basic Stitches 1

Doing your groundwork right from the start using basic sewing stitches will give you a professional looking finish in the end.

It is all worth the effort. It is essential for the beginner to start with learning the basic stitches. Maybe a little boring but basic stitches are essential. We also added some tips making the simplest things as threading a needle easier.

Are you having trouble threading your needle? Try cutting the thread at an angle so that you will have a pointed end to put through the needle eye. If you need a knot, form it according to the following directions:

1. Hold the end of the thread between the thumb and the first finger of the right hand. With the left hand, hold the thread about 2 inches from the end.  

2. Bring thread around end of the first finger, cross ends and hold in place with thumb. 

3. Roll cut end into centre of loop and continue rolling loop off end of finger. 

4. Draw loop into a knot and pull down to the end of the thread. 

Master the art of the thimble and practice holding the needle so that the eye end fits into one of the little depressions in the thimble and you are able to push the needle through the cloth with the side of the thimble.

To enhance your sewing knowledge we will describe the basic stitches used in home sewing projects.

Basting - a temporary type of stitch used to hold two or more pieces of material together. Begin with a knot, put the needle through the material from the wrong side to the right, take a tiny backstitch for security, baste as described below, and end off with a tiny backstitch or with two or three small stitches upright to the basting line.

1. Even basting. Make your stitches ½ inch long and the spaces between stitches the same. This is a firm basting which is accurate and which will not pull out easily. 

2. Uneven basting. Stitches are ½ inch to 5/8 inch long with ¼ inch space between. It is good as a guide line. 

3. Diagonal basting. Used to prevent slipping of material when inserting zippers or putting in coat linings. Slant stitches on right side from bottom to top, come through to wrong side, hold needle in a straight line and pull out to right side again directly below where you originally inserted needle. 

4. Dressmaker basting. Take one long and two or three short stitches. 

5. Alteration or slip basting. This is used to baste seams where the garment has been fitted right side out or when you have to match plaids or stripes. Fold top material under at the proper place, and pin this fold to the place to be matched. Make a stitch through the turned-in edge on the fold, draw it through and make a short stitch through the under layer of material. 

For more basic stitches go to Basic Stitches 2.