Sewing Machine Stitches Library – 75 Unique Types & Applications

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

-----------------------
The content on this webpage contains paid/affiliate links. When you click on any of our affiliate link, we may get a small compensation at no cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for more info
-----------------------

sewing machine stitches guide

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/NStitch NameStitch ImageApplication
1.Straight Stitch1_straight_stitchAll general sewing and topstitching. It can also be categorized for hand sewing machine.
2.Zig Zag Stitch2_zig_zag_stitchFinishing edges, satin stitching, stretch seam, and appliqueing
3Triple Stretch Stitch3_triple_stretch_stitchReinforcement of seams in stretchy and non-stretchy fabric
4.Lock-a-Matic/Tacking Stitch4_lock_a_maticThis knot your sewing at the beginning and the end. No need for backstitching
5.Locking Stitch5_locking_stitchInvisible knotting at the beginning and the end of sewing.
6.Multiple Zig Zag Stitch6_multiple_Zig_Zag_StitchMultiple short stitches for overcasting, tears mending, sewing toweling, patching and attaching elastics
7.Overcasting Stitch7_overcasting_stitchFinishing of an edge
8.Knit Stitch8_knit_stitchSewing knits and stretchy fabrics. Sews along the edge of the fabrics with ample allowance
9.Blind Hem Stretch Stitch9_blind_hem_stretch_stitchSewing of blind hem on stretchy fabrics
10.Blind Hem Stitch10_blind_hem_stitchSewing blind hem on medium weight fabrics
11.Honeycomb Stitch11_honeycomb_titchSmocking, overcasting and attaching elastic to fabric.
12.Blind Hem Stitch12_blind_hem1_stitchSewing of hems on stretchy fabrics
13.Arrowhead Stitch13_arrowhead_stitchFinishing of seams, pleats and pockets. creation of decorative borders.
14Shell or Lingerie Stitch14_shell_or_lingerie_stitchShell pattern for overcasting soft fabrics in one step.
15.Feather Stitch15_feather_stitchTopstitching and attaching lace to lingerie.
16.Four-Point Lingerie Stitch16_four_point_lingerie_stitchOvercasting on knitted and stretchy fabric.
17.Curve Mending Stitch17_curve_mending-stitchUtilized for overcasting, patching, mending tears, flat elastic and reinforcement of bulk.
18.Darning Stitch18_darning_stitchAutomatic darning and repair of holes.
19Hand-Run Stitch19_hand_run_stitchUsing 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/NStitch NameStitch ImageApplication
20.Automatic Buttonhole20_automatic_buttonhole_stitchCreating the buttonhole based on the side of the button
21.Sensor Buttonhole21_sensor_Buttonhole_stitchBy placing the button inside a special foot, the buttonhole is created.
22.Keyhole Buttonhole Stitch22_keyhole_buttonhole_stitchCreating buttonhole on lightweight and delicate fabrics
23.Dress Size Round End Buttonhole23_dress_size_round__buttonholeCreating of Buttonhole on dresses.
24.Shirt Size Round End Buttonhole24_round_end_shirt_size_buttonhole-stitchCreating of buttonhole on shirt. Suitable for medium weight fabrics
25.Rounded Keyhole Buttonhole25_rounded_keyhole_button_holeCreating buttonholes on medium and heavy weight fabrics. Ideal for large buttons
26.Knit Buttonhole26_knit_buttonhole_stitchMaking buttonholes on knitted fabrics
27.Stretch Buttonhole27_stretch_buttonhole_stitchCreating buttonholes on stretchy fabrics
28.Eyelet28_eyelet_stitchCreating eyelet holes
29.Button Sewing Stitch29_button_sewingSewing of button into place
30.Tracking Stitch30_tracking_stitchReinforcing plate where extra strength is required such as pocket and crotches
31.Darning Stitch31_darning_stitch1Repairing of holes and rips
32.Bartack Stitch32_bartack_stitchRepairing 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/NStitch NameStitch ImageApplication
31.Saddle Stitch31_saddle_stitchSewing the edges of leather
32.Overlock Stitch32_overlock_stitchCreate a professional looking finishing similar to a serger
33.Double Overedge Stitch33_double_overedge_stitchFinishing of edges of fabrics that frays
34.Applique Stitch34_applique_stitchAttaching of fringes, edgings, couching and applique
35.Shell Tuck Stitch35_shell_tuck_stitchDecorative Edging Stitch
36.Ariel Stitch36_ariel_stitchEdge to edge joining
37.Double Edge Stitch37_double_overedge_stitchAttaching of elastic to lingerie, couching over narrow ribbon, and yarning.
38.Ric-Rac Stitch38_ric_rac_stitchFast finishing of raw edges and a one-step decorative stitch
39Strong Overlocking Stitch39_strong_overlock_stitchSimultaneous seaming and neatening of fabrics.
40.Ladder Stitch40_ladder_stitchCreating 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/NStitch NameStitch ImageApplication
41.Crescent Satin Stitch41_crescent_satin-stitchFor decoration
42.Half Arrowhead Satin Stitch42_half_arrowhead_satin_stitchDecorative purposes
43.Ribbon Satin Stitch43_ribbon_satin-stitchDecorative Purposes
44.Wave Satin Stitch44_wave_satin_stitchingDecorative Stitch
45.Walls of Troy45_walls-of-TroyDecorative Stitch
46.Domino Satin Stitch46_domino_satin-stitchDecorative Stitch
47.Bead Satin Stitch47_bead_satin_stitchDecorative Stitch
48.Tent Satin Stitch48_tents_satin_stitchDecorative Stitch
49.Sunburst Satin Stitch49_sunburst_satin_stitchDecorative Purpose
50.Droplet Satin Stitch50_droplet_satin_stitchDecorative Stitch
51.Royal Stitch51_royal_stitchDecorative Purpose
52.Solid Scallop Stitch52_solid_scallop_stitchDecorative and Edge stitching
53.Diamond Stitch53_diamond_satin-stitchDecorative Stitch
54.Starburst Stitch54_starburst_stitchDecorative and Border Purposes
55.Honeycomb Stitch55_honeycomb_stitch2

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/NStitch NameStitch ImageApplication
56.Excalibur Dense Stitch56_excalibur_dense_stitchDecorative Purposes
57.Argyle Stitch57_argyle_stitchUsed 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/NStitch NameStitch ImageApplication
59.Arch Stitch59_arch_stitchDecorative Purposes
60.Random Zig Zag60_random_Zig_ZagSewing elastic seams on heavy fabrics.
61.Faggoting Stitch61_faggotting_stitchDecorative stitch for sleeves, front of dresses and blouses. Also used in attaching two fabrics together leaving space in between.
62.Chevron62_chevron_stitchDecorative Purposes
63.Castle Stitch63_castle_stitchDecorative Stitch
64.Block Stitch64_block_stitchDecorative Stitch
65.Kite Stitching65_kite_stitchDecorative Purposes
66.Key Stitching66_key_stitchDecorative Purpose
67.Icicle Stitching67_Icicle_stitchDecorative Stitching
68.Herringbone Stitch68_herringbone_stitchDecorative Stitching
69.Half Arrowhead69_half_arrowheadDecorative Stitch
70.Fishbone Stitch70_fishbone_stitchDecorative Stitch
71.Lightening Stitch71_lightening_stitchInserting patches and decorative embroidery.
72.Rampart Seam72_rampart_seam_stitchOverlapping seams and decorative borders.
73.Domino Stitch73_domino_stitchDecorative Purposes
74.Diamond Stitch74_diamond-stitchDecorative Stitch
75.Crown Stitch75_crown_StitchDecorative Stitch
76.Asterisk Stitch76_Asterisk-StitchDecorative Stitch
77Serpentine Stitch77_serpentine_stitchDecorative Purposes and attachment of elastics
78Tracking stitch71_tacking_stitchThe 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!)

Was this post useful for you: If so please share.