I was at Hasan place that day I saw him doing a stitch. It looks like a top stitch, but the technique is different. I asked him what kind of stitch it that.🤔 He said, ‘It is spaced backstitch.’ It is another various of backstitch. I got more curious and asked how to do it.
Spaced Back
To do a spaced back stitch by hand, simply create small stitches evenly spaced apart along your sewing line, bringing the needle back through the previous stitch’s starting point each time.
It isn’t that hard to do, but you need some practice. Let me show you how to do this basic hand sewing stitch.
Main Facts:
- Spaced backstitch adds beauty and extra strength to embroidery projects. 💪
- Maintain even spacing for a balanced design. 🙎♀️
- Use thread thickness to match your project’s look. 🧵
Table of Contents
What Is A Spaced Backstitch?
A spaced backstitch is a variation of the traditional backstitch, where you leave small, even gaps between each stitch. Instead of each stitch being tightly connected, like in a regular backstitch. The needle and thread skip space before starting the next stitch.
This creates a dotted-line effect that looks lighter and more open. It is mostly used in backstitch embroidery.
The spaced backstitch was commonly used for top-stitching jackets and gowns in 18th—and early 19th-century English and European fashion. But now, it’s often used for decorative purposes, adding a bit of flair to designs while maintaining the backstitch’s strength. It is also a good alternative to the outline stitch.
3 Steps To Do Spaced Back Stitch
To do spaced back stitch, you need to follow 3 steps
- Start By Securing Your Thread
- Give A Little Gap From The Stitch And Insert The Needle
- Tie A Knot To End Spaced Back Stitch
Start By Securing Your Thread
To begin a spaced backstitch, first, secure your thread at the back of your fabric by tying a small knot or making a few small stitches. Next, bring your needle up through the fabric at the starting point of your first stitch.
From here, you can proceed with the spaced backstitching steps.
Give A Little Gap From The Stitch And Insert The Needle
You can give a gap for spaced back stitch in 2 ways such as:
- Push the needle, giving little gaps
- Push the needle, taking a bite of the fabric.
Here is how to give space-
Leave a little ¼ inch gap from where your 1st stitch ended before you insert the needle at the new spot where you want the next stitch to go.
Pull the thread through and then return to the end of your previous stitch to finish it. You have to do it patiently. While doing this, a quote comes to my mind which is-
All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle
~Ellen Birdseye Wheaton, diary, 1851
Or you can do
Push the needle through the fabric, taking a small “bite” out. Unlike traditional stitches, you shouldn’t worry about centring the thread tail.
Focus on pulling the needle through and seating the stitch firmly. Once the first directory of embroidery stitches is in place. Repeat the process by pushing the needle through the fabric, pulling it tight, and seating each stitch. Keep going until your seam is complete.
This method is mainly used to hand-stitched back stitch letters.
Tie A Knot To End Spaced Back Stitch
To end a spaced backstitch, bring your needle through to the back of the fabric after your final stitch. Then, secure the thread by making a small knot or a few tiny stitches close together on the backside. You can also tie it off with a backstitch.
Then trim the excess, and complete your spaced backstitch! This finishing step ensures that your stitching stays secure without unravelling. 🪡
If it’s still not enough for you, then watch this video tourital.
Spaced Back Stitch Blanket
A spaced backstitch on a blanket adds a lovely decorative touch while still being functional. It can be used if you don’t feel like using blanket stitch. Here’s how you can do it:
- Start by securing your thread at the back of the blanket, bringing your needle up through the fabric at your starting point.
- Create the first stitch by inserting the needle back down at the desired stitch length and pulling the thread tight.
- After a small gap, bring your needle back up and leave an even space between the first stitch and where you want the next stitch to begin.
- Insert the needle back into the first stitch (the end of the previous stitch), complete your next stitch, and leave that small space in between.
- Keep repeating this stitch pattern around the blanket’s edge or wherever you want the design to appear.
This method adds beauty and durability, perfect for edging a cozy blanket or adding a detailed touch to your project.
That’s why maybe Charles Simic, 1969 said, ‘A needle swift enough To sew this poem into a blanket.’
Spaced Back Stitch Crochet
To do a spaced backstitch on crochet, start by threading a yarn needle with your yarn and securing it at the back of the piece. Bring the needle up through your starting stitch, then insert it down a few stitches away, leaving a small gap.
Pull the yarn tight, then come back up further along and insert the needle into the end of the previous stitch. Keep repeating this process, leaving those small, even gaps for a decorative and functional stitch on your crochet project.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
Can I Use Any Type Of Yarn For Spaced Backstitch On Crochet?
Yes, you can use most yarn types for spaced backstitch. Thicker yarn will create bolder stitches, while thinner yarn will give a more delicate effect. Just make sure the yarn is suitable for your crochet project.
Is Spaced Backstitch Only For Decoration?
No, spaced backstitch can also be used to reinforce seams on your crochet projects, especially for garments or accessories that need extra durability. This is called relaxing embroidery stitch for that reason.
Outro
After learning spaced back stitch from Hasan, I tried it in embroidery. And trust me, it turns out stunning 😍😍 It is most useful if you don’t have time on your hands or need to complete the project quickly. This is the easiest of the strongest hand-sewn stitches.
So, what are you waiting for? Try it out and share your work with sewinginspo.
Happy stitching
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