Diagonal Tacking Stitch By Hand| 4 Steps To Hold Fabric Seams

Tacking stitches is a fun way to hold fabric seams together. Diagonal tacking stitch is my other favorite after tailor tack stitch. The technique is easy and quick. Perfect for lazy stitcher like me 🤭 Here is how to do diagonal tacking stitch-

Interesting right? Let me tell you step by step about this type of stitch.

What Is Diagonal Tacking Stitch?

A diagonal tacking stitch is a diagonal version of an even tack stitch. It is a series of sloping stitches crossing the fabric in one direction. Each stitch is fairly long, and the angle of the stitches creates a zigzag-like pattern. This tacking stitch use to fold fabric temporarily.

This kinda looks like, 

The stitches don’t lay flat like normal hand-sewing stitches. They stand out because they’re loose and prominent, meant to hold fabric temporarily without much tension. They typically run diagonally from one edge of the fabric to another.

If the stitch is done over a long length, it can give the fabric a slightly gathered or puckered look in places where the stitch pulls on the material.

Picture Of Diagonal Tacking Stitches

If my definition doesn’t clear up your doubts, you need to see the tacking stitch picture to clear up. Then there are a few pictures of it:

Would you like a quick guide on how to do it? I know you would do. So let me teach you.

Diagonal Tacking Stitch Procedure

You can do diagonal tacking stitch by following 5 steps.

1. Cut The Thread And Knot One End
2. Lay Your Fabric Layers Flat
3. Push The Wrong Side Of The Fabric
4. Push The Needle Back Down From Little Distance
5. Finish With NHN Technique

So, first things first—cut yourself a decent length of thread. You don’t want it too long, or it’ll get all tangled while you sew.

This little knot will keep the thread from slipping through the fabric when you make your first stitch. No need to stress about making it perfect since this is temporary, but ensure it’s secure enough to stay in place.

This is totally the opposite of doing slip tacking stitch.

Lay them flat on your work surface. Take a moment to smooth out any wrinkles or uneven edges, as these can affect how clean your stitch looks later on. If the fabric is bunched up or uneven, it’ll be harder to align the layers properly.

When you sew, you might end up with unwanted puckers or shifts. If you’re working with slippery fabrics, like satin or silk, it helps to use pins to secure the edges and keep everything stable.

Why did you need to do it?

The goal here is to ensure the layers are as neat and aligned as possible so your tacking stitch will hold everything exactly where you want it. This extra bit of care is needed cause you are not doing uneven tacking stitch steps.

Flip your fabric to the back side and push your needle up through all the layers, starting from underneath. Pull it through until the knot rests against the fabric. This keeps everything hidden on the backside. Once that knot’s anchored, you can start your first diagonal stitch!

Don’t worry too much about exact measurements. Just aim for a nice, slanted line across the fabric. The stitch should be firm enough to hold the layers together but not too tight.

Pull the thread through, and there you go—your first diagonal stitch! Now, just keep going with the same pattern. It makes each stitch evenly spaced. It doesn’t have to be perfect but try to keep the stitches loose enough that they’re easy to remove later.

When you reach the end of the line, finish with one backstitch to secure the thread in place. Use the “needle-in-hand” (NHN) technique for a clean finish. What is it? Well, it is a hand technique. Here is how to do it-

1. Hold the Needle: Instead of using a needle holder or a thimble, you keep the needle firmly between your fingers, often with the thumb and index finger.
2. Guide the Fabric: With your other hand, you manipulate the fabric to align it properly as you sew. This allows for better control, especially when making small or precise stitches.
3. Sewing Technique: As you insert the needle into the fabric, you can quickly pull it out and reposition it without setting it down. This makes the process faster and often more comfortable, especially for hand sewing.

This method will help ensure your diagonal tacking is neat and easy to remove later.

Watch this video tutorial for a better understanding 1.6.18 Diagonal Tacking Stitch (English)

The process is easy, but remembering it while doing it is kind of hard. That’s why having a PDF can help while hand sewing stitches. So, here you go-

The diagonal tacking stitch is perfect for holding 2 fabrics. So, I used it whenever I needed to do embroidery on a specific fabric. Have you look:

Frequently Asked Questions

Warp Up

Diagonal tacking stitch is one of the easiest temporary stitches. You just push the needle through in and out, and it is good enough to hold the fabric. You should try it out, too.
Please try it and share it with us. I would like to see how my technique becomes your sewing inspiration.