One day, I was roaming around and saw a cloth with dots on the right side and a zip zag stitch on the wrong side. I asked my grandma what it was. Grandma said this was a catch stitch. It looks so fascinating! Can you teach me how to catch stitch by hand?
Grandma grabs fabric layers and needle and starts explaining-
Catch Stitch By Hand
To catch stitch by hand, use a small running stitch along the edge of the hem, catching only a few threads of the fabric on the inside so it’s nearly invisible on the outside.🪡
Interesting! But what type of needle and thread should I use for catch stitch?
-That’s a matter of discussion. So, let’s get into detailed about how to sew catch stitch by hand. Let’s get you into catch stitch steps.
Main Facts:
- Use a size 10 gold eye sewing needle and polyester matching thread.
- Make small stitches from right to left on the top row and to the right on the garment fabric.
- Spaced 3/8 to 1/2 inch apart, and small stitches were taken in the hem about 1/8 inch down from the edge.
Table of Contents
What Is A Catch Stitch By Hand?
The catch stitch is a hand-sewn zig-zag pattern. The pattern will remind you of the cross stitch. It’s super handy for securing fabric to a garment’s base layer, like a hem, or for joining 2 pieces together.
So, catch stitch meaning is a big stitch pattern used to finish cloth, fabric, or hem.
People love using the catch stitch for all sorts of sewing jobs. It’s great for hems, especially on curved or lined clothes. Plus, it’s awesome for fabrics that have a bit of stretch or thickness, like knits. That zig-zag pattern gives it some flexibility, which is perfect for things like kids’ clothes or pants where you need a little give.
If you are confused and don’t know which one I’m talking about. Then see these types of hand stitches with pictures then you can tell them apart.
How To Catch Stitch By Hand?
To do a catch stitch, you need to follow 4 steps.
- Make Anchor For Catch Stitch
- Start With A Small Stitch
- Continue Stitch
- End The Stitch
Make Anchor For Catch Stitch
First of all, make an anchor. Just like you would do in how to pick stitch. It’s like you locking your blind catch stitch. You just need to secure the seam allowances first just like you did for running stitch sewing.
So, to do that, take your thread inside of the hem, then push the needle. If you have done hemming stitch then this process would be similar. Pushing through the wrong side of the hem creates a loop. Then again, push the needle into the loop and then tightly secure it. That’s the first step in how to catch a stitch by hand.
-How much thread do you need for the catch stitch?
-Only 18-20 inch thread is perfect for catch stitches.
Start With A Small Stitch
-How to start a hand sewn stitch?
Make a small slip stitch from right to left on the top row. Next, do another small stitch to the right on the main piece of fabric, starting from the left side. This stitch should look like a straight stitch. Move ¼ inch to the right.
Now, on the right side, take a small herringbone stitch in the hem, about 1/8 inch down from the edge. That’s your point A.
Remember to space catch stitch about 3/8 to 1/2 inch apart.
Bring your needle up and over to the right at a bit about 1\2 inches away. Just like a tacking stitch by hand. Then, start working your needle from right to left, sticking it into the garment just above the folded hem edge—point B on the.
Note: The stitches form a shallow zig-zag, but you can adjust the spacing if needed.
Continue Catch Stitch
Be gentle and grab just 1-3 threads with the point of your needle; no more, or it might show on the right side of the garment. Once you’ve got those threads, pull the working thread through—that’s point C.
Next, bring the needle down and to the right, again at a fabric from fraying about 1\2 inches away.
Keep working that needle from right to left, this time grabbing a few more stitches about 0.25 inches down from the free folded edge of the hem. Remember it’s not pad stitch so you gotta be specific about the stitch size.
End The Catch Stitch
So, how do you secure a stitch by hand? To finish off your stitch, first, make sure the needle is on the back side of the fabric. Double fold it. Take a small stitch on the back side, then, before fully pulling the thread through, pass the needle through the loop created by the stitch to form a knot. If you have done blanket stitch step by step, then this process might be easy for you.
Repeat this process 1 or 2 times to make sure the knot is really secure. Finally, trim any excess thread close to the knot, leaving a small tail if you want a bit of extra security. You can also do slip stitch if you wanna double the security. And there you have it, your stitch is neatly finished!
Are you still here? Great! That means you are enjoying our catch stitch guide. So, now tell me. What can you do to catch Stitch right now?
If you are still confused, then watch this video guide.
Tools of Catch Stitch
To do catch stitch, you, of course, need 2 tools. Which are:
- Needle
- Thread
Always keep sharp, top-notch needles on hand. Everyone has their own preferences regarding needle sizes and lengths. You can’t use the same needle you used for hand overcast stitch.
-But I usually use a 10-size gold eye needle for catch stitch.
-What about the thread, Grandma?
-Well, you can use any kind of thread to catch the stitch. But if you want something specific, use polyester thread. The size of the thread should be four or five times longer than the fabric edge.
Catch Stitch By Hand Patterns
Confused? Not sure where or how to start? Then there are a few pattern ideas for you-
- Basic Catch Stitch: This is the most common pattern, where you make small, angled stitches on the fabric edge, catching just a few threads from the main fabric to hold the lining or hem in place.
- Double Catch Stitch: This pattern involves catching two layers of fabric with each stitch, often used for thicker materials or when you need extra hold.
- Invisible Catch Stitch: This version is even more discreet, where the stitches are barely visible from the outside. The stitches are spaced very closely and angled, creating a near-invisible hem finish.
- Diagonal Catch Stitch: In this pattern, you work your stitches diagonally across the fabric, which works well for rounded edges or curved hems.
If you wanna learn more tutorials like this then check out how to do a straight stitch by hand.
Catch Stitch Used For
The catch stitch is commonly used for hemming and securing fabric layers in place, especially when you want the stitch to be nearly invisible.
It’s ideal for hand-finishing hems, attaching linings, and securing edges like those of a skirt or pants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How To Sew Herringbone Stitch By Hand?
To sew a herringbone stitch by hand, start by bringing the needle up from the back of the fabric at the beginning of your line. Insert the needle diagonally across to the opposite side, then bring it back up a short distance away. Continue this pattern, alternating sides and creating a slanted, interlocking pattern resembling the bones of a fish.
What Does “Catch Stitch” Mean In Sewing?
In sewing, a catch stitch is a hand-sewing technique used to secure two layers of fabric together with a bit of give, allowing for flexibility. It’s often used for hemming or attaching linings.
When Should You Use A Catch Stitch?
Catch stitch used for hemming a cloth. When you’re dealing with thicker fabrics, knits, or those tricky curved hems, this stitch has got your back. Those criss-cross moves? They give you some extra stretch and keep everything looking smooth. And these stitches are strong and bendy, and you can barely spot them from the outside. If you are considering repairing darning holes, this isn’t your stitch. This is more of a decorative purpose.
Warp Up
Understand how to catch stitch by hand now?
Yes, grandma, I know now!!
But do you know?? If yes, then Comment down with one of your sewing projects.
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