Upcy: How To Hand Sew - Beginner Hand Sewing Guide

Last year at about this time, I began work on what is as of today, my longest project (taking over a year to date) my largest project,

& my longest lesson,

& biggest learning experience, in an art project.

The project contains many small steps - repeated in concession. & while I don't want to give away entirely too much (though if you do follow along on Instagram, the most minor investigation skills would lead to you figuring out what I'm referring too).

I have decided to begin sharing some if the smaller Tutorials for the skills that would be required. I am going to begin with a D.I.Y. Beginner Hand Sewing Guide. I love getting requests from you guys, & jumped on my gals suggestion to share this with you guys! I have put together a list of 3 Basic Stitches, each with their own list of benefits, & uses.

While the Tutorials below are for THREE Stitches - You will in reality be learning 5 Variations of Stitches! The Skill sewing by hand is something my Mom taught me at a very young age. I learned so many Skills that I will forever be Grateful for, while watching her over the years.
The Running Stitch & The Taking Stitch
The Back Stitch
The Blanket Stitch
& The Edging Stitch
This Stitch was taught to me in Art Class - while making DIY Cards; by a women (Sam Crosby) I was blessed to have Teach me Dance, Vocal Lessons, Coach, Choreographer, Grade 8, & many classes in High School.

Thread The Needle & Lets's Get Started

Stitch #1 ~ The Running Stitch : is in my opinion the simplest, yet most versatile & useful stitch. Simple variations to the stitch allow for an endless amount of different uses, incredibly great for adhering patches, seems, hems, & button application.

How To :

Rule Of Thumb: Always Begin by piercing the fabric from the back side, & pull until the knot meets the fabric (this will insure a hidden knot).

Create a small space and pierce through the Fabric this time from the Front to the Back,

pull taught.

Repeat the stitch again from the Back of the Fabric to the Front (as you did the first time), and pull taught.

Continue This Back to Front - Front to Back Stitch Pattern.

A Tacking or Basting Stitch : is identical in technique to the Running Stitch just with longer gaps between stitches. It is used to temporarily attach fabrics, instead of using pins.

Stitch #2 ~ The Back Stitch : A very strong hold stitch, great for added strength, & adding details on seems, patchwork, & even embroidery.

How To :

You will be doing exactly what the Name says - Stitching Backwards. Stitching in a Right to Left, direction. Begin From the Back, but begin where you would Imagine a single Running Stitch would end.

Cary the stitch back in the left direction. This time Stitching Front to Back.

Pull Taught.

Repeat this Process, Stitching again from the Back - beginning at the left side of the Stitch again,

Stitch Back to Front (going in the same hole as the Stitch previous (as shown above). Pull taught.

Repeat this Right To Left stitch pattern.

Stitch #3 ~ The Blanket Stitch :
This is a bit of a more complex hand stitch, but it is one that I think is so beautiful & is a great skill to add the perfect finishing touch to your sewing project(s)
The first step of this stitch is actually a stitch of its own entirely (The Edge Stitch). So your technically getting 2 skills for the practice of 1.

How To :

Beginning from the Back (always).

If you are attaching more than one piece of fabric to the other, Begin the first Stitch by piercing your needle through the top layer pf fabric only, this will create a hidden knot & first stitch.

Bring the needle in an upwards motion, and wrap around the edge of the fabric to the Back side. Piercing through exactly where you began from & pull until there is about a 1/4" loop - with practice you will be able to shrink the size of the loop but for practice sake this is a great rule of thumb.