Sewing Machine Stitches Library – 75 Unique Types & Applications

Last updated on March 18th, 2020 at 06:17 pm

Look into your sewing machine manual, which of the stitches can you boast of knowing? You may be like everyone who are limited to the few ones they use on a daily basis.

If you own a Singer 9980 with over 800 stitches, you sure understand what I meant.

Perhaps you just need to check what you can do with a stitch. You’ll always wonder what the uses of these bunch of stitches on my sewing machine are.

Turns out that some you could easily use and save yourself some stress

I’ve put together the most comprehensive sewing stitch list you can find and would keep updating them.

Here are 75 sewing machine stitches, their function, how they look like and what you can do with them.

Sewing Machine Basic Stitches

Even if you don’t intend becoming an expert in the art of sewing, knowing these basic stitches is nonetheless essential.

They are important to the craft as most sewing task is repeatedly done with these stitches.

S/N	Stitch Name	Stitch Image	Application
1.	Straight Stitch		All general sewing and topstitching. It can also be categorized for hand sewing machine.
2.	Zig Zag Stitch		Finishing edges, satin stitching, stretch seam, and appliqueing
3	Triple Stretch Stitch		Reinforcement of seams in stretchy and non-stretchy fabric
4.	Lock-a-Matic/Tacking Stitch		This knot your sewing at the beginning and the end. No need for backstitching
5.	Locking Stitch		Invisible knotting at the beginning and the end of sewing.
6.	Multiple Zig Zag Stitch		Multiple short stitches for overcasting, tears mending, sewing toweling, patching and attaching elastics
7.	Overcasting Stitch		Finishing of an edge
8.	Knit Stitch		Sewing knits and stretchy fabrics. Sews along the edge of the fabrics with ample allowance
9.	Blind Hem Stretch Stitch		Sewing of blind hem on stretchy fabrics
10.	Blind Hem Stitch		Sewing blind hem on medium weight fabrics
11.	Honeycomb Stitch		Smocking, overcasting and attaching elastic to fabric.
12.	Blind Hem Stitch		Sewing of hems on stretchy fabrics
13.	Arrowhead Stitch		Finishing of seams, pleats and pockets. creation of decorative borders.
14	Shell or Lingerie Stitch		Shell pattern for overcasting soft fabrics in one step.
15.	Feather Stitch		Topstitching and attaching lace to lingerie.
16.	Four-Point Lingerie Stitch		Overcasting on knitted and stretchy fabric.
17.	Curve Mending Stitch		Utilized for overcasting, patching, mending tears, flat elastic and reinforcement of bulk.
18.	Darning Stitch		Automatic darning and repair of holes.
19	Hand-Run Stitch		Using of invisible thread and increase the thread tension.

Buttonhole Stitches

Aside the utility stitches, buttonhole stitches are considered more likely to be used in most sewing tasks. Basically, buttonhole stitches are meants to secure the edges of the buttonhole due to the knots it makes.

S/N	Stitch Name	Stitch Image	Application
20.	Automatic Buttonhole		Creating the buttonhole based on the side of the button
21.	Sensor Buttonhole		By placing the button inside a special foot, the buttonhole is created.
22.	Keyhole Buttonhole Stitch		Creating buttonhole on lightweight and delicate fabrics
23.	Dress Size Round End Buttonhole		Creating of Buttonhole on dresses.
24.	Shirt Size Round End Buttonhole		Creating of buttonhole on shirt. Suitable for medium weight fabrics
25.	Rounded Keyhole Buttonhole		Creating buttonholes on medium and heavy weight fabrics. Ideal for large buttons
26.	Knit Buttonhole		Making buttonholes on knitted fabrics
27.	Stretch Buttonhole		Creating buttonholes on stretchy fabrics
28.	Eyelet		Creating eyelet holes
29.	Button Sewing Stitch		Sewing of button into place
30.	Tracking Stitch		Reinforcing plate where extra strength is required such as pocket and crotches
31.	Darning Stitch		Repairing of holes and rips
32.	Bartack Stitch		Repairing of holes and rips on medium weight fabrics

Edge Stitches

These types of stitches are important when you are going to stitch more than one piece together at the edge. More often edge stitches disappear into the seam, being not always visible.

S/N	Stitch Name	Stitch Image	Application
31.	Saddle Stitch		Sewing the edges of leather
32.	Overlock Stitch		Create a professional looking finishing similar to a serger
33.	Double Overedge Stitch		Finishing of edges of fabrics that frays
34.	Applique Stitch		Attaching of fringes, edgings, couching and applique
35.	Shell Tuck Stitch		Decorative Edging Stitch
36.	Ariel Stitch		Edge to edge joining
37.	Double Edge Stitch		Attaching of elastic to lingerie, couching over narrow ribbon, and yarning.
38.	Ric-Rac Stitch		Fast finishing of raw edges and a one-step decorative stitch
39	Strong Overlocking Stitch		Simultaneous seaming and neatening of fabrics.
40.	Ladder Stitch		Creating channels for elastics and ribbon.

Satin Stitches (Demask Stitch)

Satin Stitches provides finesse to your sewing. Basically, satin stitches are used in filling or covering a section of a fabric. In a way you can say its also a decoration stitch.

Here are quite a bunch of satin stitches for your sewing task:

S/N	Stitch Name	Stitch Image	Application
41.	Crescent Satin Stitch		For decoration
42.	Half Arrowhead Satin Stitch		Decorative purposes
43.	Ribbon Satin Stitch		Decorative Purposes
44.	Wave Satin Stitch		Decorative Stitch
45.	Walls of Troy		Decorative Stitch
46.	Domino Satin Stitch		Decorative Stitch
47.	Bead Satin Stitch		Decorative Stitch
48.	Tent Satin Stitch		Decorative Stitch
49.	Sunburst Satin Stitch		Decorative Purpose
50.	Droplet Satin Stitch		Decorative Stitch
51.	Royal Stitch		Decorative Purpose
52.	Solid Scallop Stitch		Decorative and Edge stitching
53.	Diamond Stitch		Decorative Stitch
54.	Starburst Stitch		Decorative and Border Purposes
55.	Honeycomb Stitch

Cross Stitches

A cross stitch is made up of two half stitches, this results into outlining designs and making specific shapes. Majorly, cross stitches are also intended for decorative purposes.

S/N	Stitch Name	Stitch Image	Application
56.	Excalibur Dense Stitch		Decorative Purposes
57.	Argyle Stitch		Used in heirloom sewing for decorative trim

Decorative Stitches

Decorative stitches are often confused with embroidery stitches. However, decorative stitches are sewn just like utility stitches. What makes them different is their length and width which is not like regular stitches

S/N	Stitch Name	Stitch Image	Application
59.	Arch Stitch		Decorative Purposes
60.	Random Zig Zag		Sewing elastic seams on heavy fabrics.
61.	Faggoting Stitch		Decorative stitch for sleeves, front of dresses and blouses. Also used in attaching two fabrics together leaving space in between.
62.	Chevron		Decorative Purposes
63.	Castle Stitch		Decorative Stitch
64.	Block Stitch		Decorative Stitch
65.	Kite Stitching		Decorative Purposes
66.	Key Stitching		Decorative Purpose
67.	Icicle Stitching		Decorative Stitching
68.	Herringbone Stitch		Decorative Stitching
69.	Half Arrowhead		Decorative Stitch
70.	Fishbone Stitch		Decorative Stitch
71.	Lightening Stitch		Inserting patches and decorative embroidery.
72.	Rampart Seam		Overlapping seams and decorative borders.
73.	Domino Stitch		Decorative Purposes
74.	Diamond Stitch		Decorative Stitch
75.	Crown Stitch		Decorative Stitch
76.	Asterisk Stitch		Decorative Stitch
77	Serpentine Stitch		Decorative Purposes and attachment of elastics
78	Tracking stitch		The Tracking Stitch is long stitch that that connect bands of single fabric

Conclusion

Just like every other sewing enthusiast, there will be numerous stitches on your sewing machine. There’s a likelihood that you won’t understand a large percentage of these stitches.

Let’s hope this guide had helped discover the use of these stitches on your sewing machines.

This list is no where exhaustive. I’ll keep updating it. (if you find any error or issues with the stitches let me know!)

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