Archive:Sewing

This page will allow articles about basic skills in the field of sewing.

Basic sewing skills include hand sewing and sewing by machine. Functional sewing holds two or more layers of material together. Woven fabric is the most commonly used of sewing materials. Non-woven synthetic and natural

Hand Sewing

Handsewing uses needle and thread. The needle has a hole through which the thread is passed. This hole is called the "eye" of the needle. By passing a thread through the eye, the needle can carry the thread through one or more layers of material. The many repeated penetrations of the material can serve to fasten two or more layers together: each serves as a tiny nail or thumbtack holding the material in relation to one another.

Temporary Hand Sewing

Temporary hand sewing is usually called "basting". It serves to hold pieces of material in position to one another until the article can be examined for size or fit.

While basting thread is commonly removed from the article before completion, basting that does not show may be left in place. Leaving it may save time or may add strength to the project.

The "running stitch" is a useful basic stitch. It can be used to fasten seams together in a garment in order to check the fit. It can be used to attach decorations before they are permanently fastened.

Choose a hand sewing needle in a size suitable to the materials being basted. A loosely woven fabric might require a large needle. A fine fabric will need a small size or fine needle to avoid making large holes which might not be removable. A non-woven material such as plastic or suede could need a leather needle or a sharp point on a needle to pierce it rather than creat tears.

Thread appropriate for basting is weak rather than strong. Permanent Hand Sewing

Decorative Hand Sewing

Embroidery is a form of decorative hand sewing. Embroidery is sewn so that a decorative design shows on the surface of the material. There are many different styles and methods of creating embroidery.

See also

• accessories (Wikipedia)
• clothing (Wikipedia)
• home furnishings (Wikipedia)
• Sewing (Wikipedia)
• pictures