Let’s Do Tacking Stitch By Hand In Just 4 Steps

Grandma was explaining it but I interpreted and said,

Tacking Stitch By Hand

Do tacking stitch by hand in just 4 steps.

1. Identify The Area For Bar Tacking Stitch
2. Create the Base Stitches
3. Continue the Stitches
4. Secure Bar Stitch

As you have said there are many types of tacking stitch. So, today I’ll just demonstrate you bar tacking stitch.

To identify the area for bar tacking stitch, find reinforcement or high-stress areas of clothes, like spots that might tear or come apart easily to make a simple tacking stitch.

-Which area are they?

You’ll find them on pockets, belt loops, buttonholes, zipper flies, and even the corners of collars. They’re super handy for keeping things together. 

Or you can draw a bar on random on the fabric. This will help you easily do a straight stitch.

Start by poking the needle through the back of the fabric (the wrong side) and pulling it out to the front (the right side). Then to start stitching bring the knot up to the surface, right where you need the reinforcement. Or this stitch is perfect helping for embroidery stitch.

-Ok but what type of thread do I need?

– Thick thread or embroidery floss is best for bar stitch.

For the first stitch, push the needle back into the fabric about 1/8 inch (3mm) away from where the thread came out. Pull it through to the back again.

However, the distance depends on your bar tacking stitch type. Bar tacking stitch is usually 1/16  or ⅛  inch long.

Now, bring the needle up through the fabric again, close to where you first started, but not in exactly the same spot. This helps make sure the stitch is secure with a loose loop stitch.

Move the needle back and forth like this, keeping the stitches close and even just like all types of stitches. Make sure each basting stitches sits next to the last one without overlapping too much. When you get to the end of your line (the length you want), bring the needle up through the fabric from fraying one last time at the end of your stitched line.

Next, start making horizontal(90-degree)  stitches across the top of your parallel stitches. Just like you need while doing a hand sew buttonhole stitch. Push the needle into the fabric just beyond the edge of your stitched line and pull it through to the opposite edge, covering the parallel stitches.

Keep doing these horizontal stitches, working back and forth. Make sure each new stitch lies right next to the previous one, so you’re covering the whole line of parallel stitches underneath.

Make sure these horizontal stitches are tight with extra stitch and secure since they will form the reinforcing bar tack stitch that holds everything together. But don’t make it extra strong like overcast stitch by hand. Keep it gentle.

Once the horizontal stitches fully cover the parallel stitches, secure the thread on the backside with a couple of  back stitches. Insert the needle through to the backside and create a small knot. Trim any excess thread close to the knot to finish.

Wanna have a closer look? Then watch this video this stitch technique-

Now let’s talk about another kind of tacking stitch.

To do regular tacking stitch use to hold fabric pieces together before the final stitching. To do them, use a needle and thread, making long, loose stitches (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart) along the seam line just like most common stitches. These stitches are easy to remove after the final sewing is complete. That is why it is often used as a back tack stitch.

To do tailor’s tacking start stitching through 2 layers of fabric with long, loose stitches, leaving long thread loops. To do it, insert the needle through both layers, leaving a loop, then make another 3-5 stitches nearby, creating a series of loops that can be cut later to separate the layers without losing the markings.

To do an even tacking stitch, insert the needle through the fabric, creating stitches of equal length (about 1/4 inch) on both sides of the fabric. This technique is used for precise temporary holding, ensuring even alignment.

To do Uneven tacking,  make a longer stitch (about 1/2 inch) followed by a shorter one (about 1/4 inch). This is useful for temporary seams that need to be easily removed, as the longer stitches are easier to cut and pull out.

To create this diagonal tacking stitch, insert the needle at one point and bring it out at an angle, forming diagonal lines across the fabric. This stitch is often used to hold multiple layers of fabric together temporarily.

To do slip tacking stitches, insert the needle inside the fold of one excess fabric piece, then catch a few threads of the other fabric, alternating between them. This creates an invisible seam that can be easily removed.

To do long tacking stitches, stitches about 1 inch apart. It’s used for loosely holding large pieces of fabric together or for fitting adjustments during garment construction.

To do short tacking stitches, make small, even stitches along the seam line. These are often used in areas that need precise alignment.

To do the machine tacking stitch, set the machine to a long stitch length and sew along the seam line. These stitches are quick to do and easy to remove, making them ideal for fitting and adjustments.

To create a tie tacking stitch, bring the needle up through the fabric layers and make a small stitch. Instead of pulling the thread tight, leave a loop. Pass the needle through the loop and pull gently to secure the stitch. Repeat this process at regular intervals along the fabric edge or seam.

To create cross tacking stitch begin by bringing the needle up through the fabric layers and making a small vertical stitch. Leave a loop, then pass the needle through the loop and pull gently to secure the stitch.

Next, make a horizontal stitch crossing over the vertical one, leaving another loop. Pass the needle through this loop and pull gently to secure. Repeat this process, alternating between vertical and horizontal stitches, to create a crisscross pattern of tacking stitches.

To create a French tack stitch, bring the needle up through the fabric layers and make a small stitch. Instead of pulling the thread tight, leave a loop. Pass the needle through the loop and pull gently to create a chain-like stitch. Continue making small stitches and loops, linking them together to form a thread chain. Finish by securing the last loop with a small knot or backstitch.

To create an arrowhead tack stitch, begin by bringing the needle up through the fabric layers and making a small vertical stitch. Leave a loop and pass the needle through the loop, pulling gently to secure the stitch. Next, make a diagonal stitch from the bottom of the vertical stitch to form one side of the arrowhead shape.

Bring the needle back up through the fabric layers and make another diagonal stitch, crossing over the first one to complete the arrowhead shape. Repeat this process at regular intervals to create a row of arrowhead tacking stitches.

So, what do you think? Which one is seams more interesting to you?

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)

Warp up

So, that’s how to do tacking stitch by hand! After Grandma’s explanation, I did it. 😍 and trust me it is easy as pie. You just gotta be mindful and take each step with an edge. Got more questions? Then stay with sewing inspo.