Back Stitch is a row of straight stitches, made with a single embroidery thread. Back Stitches are usually marked on the chart by a thick or colorful outline. The back stitch is not worked until all the cross stitches have been completed.
15 to 20 inches is a good starting length (38 – 50cm). Thread the three strands onto your embroidery needle. Be sure to create a simple knot at the end and trim the excess thread past the knot (to 1/4 inch or less than 1cm). Consider where you'll start your stitching and where you'll finish.
: a decorative stitch made by winding the thread one or more times around the needle and drawing the needle back through the material at the point where it came out.
1 : a concealed stitch for sewing folded edges (such as hems) made by alternately running the needle inside the fold and picking up a thread or two from the body of the article. 2 : an unworked stitch especially : a knitting stitch that is shifted from one needle to another without knitting it.
: an embroidery outlining stitch (as for making stems) especially : an overlapping stitch that produces a corded appearance.
: a needlework stitch (as chainstitch or lazy daisy stitch) having one or more loops as part of the design and method of working.
American Walter Hunt came up with a back-stitching sewing machine in the early 1830s, but was afraid it would result in the massive unemployment of seamstresses.
Overcast stitch is a type of stitch used to enclose a raw, or unfinished, seam or edge. The purpose is to prevent unraveling of the fabric.
To backstitch on a sewing machine, simply sew 1-2 stitches forward and then put your machine in reverse for 1-2 stitches in order to secure the seam. Many machines on the market today have a special button or lever designed for this feature. So be sure to check your sewing machine and manual for it's location.
You do not have to backstitch when sewing with the lightning stitch, three-step zigzag stitch or triple stretch stitch, because these types of stitches will not unravel when the seam is put under stress.
The backstitch (sometimes called a staystitch because it keeps stitches from pulling out) is very useful and also very simple. To do it, you press the reverse button or lever while you are stitching. Check your manual on how to use your sewing machine's reverse function.
Try to stick to no more than four stitches when back stitching otherwise it could start messing with how pretty your seams look.
Do You Backstitch When Stay Stitching? You do not need to backstitch when stay stitching, but it is an option. You could also just shorten the length of your stitch to start with and when ending your line of stay stitches. This will have a similar effect to back stitching.
Pull gently on the bobbin side until you see the top thread forming a loop like so. Insert something small and pointy into the loop. If you're going to use an unpicker like I did then be careful not to cut the thread. You can use a pin or something similar.
