Basic Stitches and their Uses

This reference guide is for the stitches and their uses. Please keep in mind while there are hundreds of stitches out there, these are the most common:

Straight Stitch

Also known as a lock stitch. Sewing two pieces of fabric together is the most common use of this stitch. Needle plates will generally have a lined guide to indicate the space between the edge of the fabric and the stitching.

Uses: Quilt piecing, Top stitching, Edge stitching, Basting, Decorative stitching, Free-Motion quilting, Thread painting, Echo quilting, Attaching trims, Raw edge applique, Twin needle stitching, Gathering, Pleating, Zipper Insertion, Piping, Rolled hems, Stay stitching, Darning, and Understitching.

Straight Stretch Stitch

Stronger version of the straight stitch which uses a back and forth motion to create a triple stitch to sew the same stitch 3 times.

Uses: Stretch seams, Heirloom stitching, Decorative stitching, Reinforced seams.

Zigzag Stitch

Using cams or electronic motors, the machine moves the needle from left to right to create a zigzag pattern.

Uses: Seam finishing, Applique, Couching, Decorative stitching, Attaching trims, Sewing buttonholes and buttons, Inserting elastic, Hemstitching, Lettuce edging, Attaching lace, and Edge joining.

Reinforced Zigzag Stitch

Stronger version of the Zigzag stitch sews the same design 3 times. The icon will either be bolder than the Zigzag stitch or show a Zigzag with three lines.

Uses: Reinforced seams, Decorative stitching, Couching

Multi-step (Triple) Zigzag Stitch

Sews 3 small stitches to the left and 3 small stitches to the left to create a

Uses: Mending, Decorative stitching, Couching, Elastic insertion, Attaching trims, Seam finishing, Bartacks, Edge joining, Joining batting.

Blind Hem Stitch

Zigzag stitch seperating each pair of zigzag seperated by a series of straight stitching. Requires a Blind Hemming foot to create a seam with virtually invisible lines on the right side of the fabric. Blind hem stitch is designed to be used on wovens (non-stretchy) fabrics.

Uses: Blind hemming, Applique, Decorative stitching, Couching.

Stretch Blind Hem Stitch

Zigzag or stretch version of the Blind hem stitch, seperating each pair of zigzag with a series of smaller zigzags in between. Designed for use with stretch fabrics (t-shirts, jersey, and more.)

Uses: Stretch hems, Decorative stitching.

Picot Hem Stitch

This stitch provides a small scalloped edge suitable for lightweight fabrics. The straight stitch portion is intended to stitch within the hem, the point of the zigzag goes over the edge of the fabrics folded edge.

Uses: Picot hems, Decorative stitching.