Types Of Tacking Stitches| Get To Know All About Tacking Stitch

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I wanted to hold 2 fabrics together for a temporary time so I asked my grandma what to do with them. She said ‘You can do tacking stitches or basting stitches and there are many types of tacking stitches too.’

-Really? How many?

There are 14 types of tacking stitches. Some 5 examples of tacking stitches are:

Types Of Tacking Stitches

Types Of Tacking Stitches

  1. Regular Tacking Stitches
  2. Tailor’s Tacking Stitch
  3. Even Tacking Stitch
  4. Uneven Tacking Stitch
  5. Diagonal Tacking Stitch

What are the other types of grandma? Tell me in detail about it.

At A glance:

  1. A tacking stitch is a form of basting stitch.
  2. 14 types of tacking stitch.
  3. Long & short tacking stitch is a freestyle of sewing.

What Is A Tacking Stitch?

A tacking stitch is a temporary stitch used to hold pieces of fabric together before you sew them permanently. This is another types of stitches sewing. Tack stitch is easy and quick. It’s like a placeholder stitch that keeps things in place while you work on the final sewing. You can easily remove it once you’re done.

How many tacking stitches do we have

Types Of Tacking Stitches

There are 14 types of tacking stitches such as:

  1. Regular Tacking Stitches
  2. Tailor’s Tacking Stitch
  3. Even Tacking Stitch
  4. Uneven Tacking Stitch
  5. Diagonal Tacking Stitch
  6. Slip Tacking Stitches
  7. Long Tacking Stitch
  8. Short Tacking Stitches
  9. Machine Tacking Stitch
  10. Tie Tacking Stitch
  11. Cross Tacking Stitch
  12. French Tack Stitch
  13. Arrow Head Tacking Stitch
  14. Bar Tacking Stitch

Regular Tacking Stitches

Regular tacking stitches are super simple like running stitches, evenly-spaced running stitches that you use temporarily to hold fabric pieces together.

This is the most basic stitches type among two types of tacking stitches. If you’re doing it by hand, just thread a needle with a contrasting color thread so it’s easy to see and remove later. Make small, straight stitches about 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart through the fabric layers.

Regular Tacking Stitches

When you’re done, either tie a small knot on the backside or leave a tail if you’re planning to remove the stitches soon.

Tailor’s Tacking Stitch

Tailor’s tacking is a type of basting stitch where you use a double thread to stitch through 2 layers of fabric. This is like doing an overcast stitch by hand.

After stitching, you cut the thread between the layers, leaving large looped stitches in each piece. These loops help mark seam lines and important points without damaging the fabric, making it easy to match everything up correctly.

And, the fun part is,

You can do tailor tack stitch in 2 patterns.

  1. Loss
  2. Loop
How to do a Tailor Tack

-Which one is easier, Grandma?

-I like loop tailor tack stitch.

Even Tacking Stitch

An even tacking stitch is like a loose, long stitch used in sewing to hold fabric pieces together temporarily before you do the real stitching. It’s called “even” because both sides of the stitch look the same. This one kinda looks like a straight stitch.

Even Tacking Stitch

Here are some grandma tips to make it easier: 

For the stitch length, go about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. And don’t tug the thread too tight while you’re sewing, or your fabric might get all bunched up. When you’re tacking a seam, place the stitches about 1/16 inch (that’s about 2 mm) away from the actual stitching line of the garment. This way, it’ll be a snap to remove them later when you’re ready for the final stitches.

Uneven Tacking Stitch

Uneven tacking is a temporary stitching method used in sewing. Unlike even tacking, where the stitches are evenly spaced, uneven tacking involves irregularly spaced or sized stitches. 

Uneven Tacking Stitch

This can be done intentionally to provide a temporary hold to fabric pieces before permanent stitching or to create an effect in the fabric. It’s a bit more freeform compared to even tacking and can be used for various sewing projects depending on the desired outcome.

Diagonal Tacking Stitch

Diagonal tacking stitch holds fabric layers together in sewing, visible as long diagonal stitches on the right side and short ones on the wrong side. Leaving some slack helps in final adjustments.

Diagonal Tacking Stitch

This technique is often used in tailoring to keep the fabric layers from shifting and to provide additional stability. This kind of looks like a saddle stitch. This can be vertical stitches. but diagonal tacking can help maintain the shape of a garment during construction and makes it easier to handle the fabric when sewing permanent seams.

It’s a simple but effective method that adds precision to the sewing process.

Slip Tacking Stitches

Slip tacking stitches catch only a few threads of the fabric on the top layer, making the stitches nearly invisible from the right side. Slip stitch hand sewing is often used for tasks like matching patterns or plaids, where you want the stitches to be inconspicuous.

Slip Tacking Stitches

Slip tacking provides a secure hold while maintaining the neat appearance of the fabric.

Slip tacking stitch is mainly used in repairing a seam, hem, or attaching a binding.

Slip Tacking Stitches

Long Tacking Stitch

Long tacking refers to a temporary stitching method in sewing where longer stitches are used to hold fabric pieces together.

Long Tacking Stitch

These stitches are typically larger than regular basting stitches and are often employed when a more secure temporary hold is needed.

Long tacking is useful for holding fabric layers in place during fitting or construction stages before permanent stitching is done. It provides stability without requiring as much time or effort as permanent stitches, making it a handy technique in sewing projects.

Short Tacking Stitches

Short tacking is smaller and closer together compared to regular basting stitches. This is a form of free style embroidery stitch. And the most common stitch.

Short Tacking Stitches

Short tacking is often used for precise or delicate work, such as securing fabric layers before final stitching or creating temporary markers for adjustments. This kinda reminds me of pick stitch. It provides a secure hold without being too visible and is easily removed once it’s no longer needed, making it a versatile technique in sewing projects.

Machine Tacking Stitch

Machine tacking is like using a sewing machine to make temporary stitches. It’s a quicker and more efficient way compared to hand tacking, especially for big projects.

Sewing machines have different machine stitches options you can adjust to make these temporary holds, depending on how long and tight you want them. While it’s often used in factories for making clothes, it’s also handy for sewing at home.

Tie Tacking Stitch

The tie tacking stitch is a method used to secure the back blade of a necktie to the front, ensuring that the tie keeps its shape and doesn’t shift during wear.

Tie Tacking Stitch

According to merriam-webster,

A tie tack is like a fancy pin with a button or clasp. It’s used to hold the two ends of a necktie together or to fasten a tie to a shirt. It adds a nice touch to your outfit while keeping everything in place.

It’s a simple strong stitch that’s typically hidden beneath the label of the tie, helping to maintain a clean and polished appearance.  Just like hemming stitches do.

Cross Tacking Stitch

Cross-tacking stitches are creating stitches in an x pattern to temporarily hold fabric layers together.

Cross Tacking Stitch

It’s often used for securing seams or folds in place before permanent stitching.

Cross Tacking Stitch

This cross-stitch provides extra stability and prevents shifting of fabric during the sewing process. This process is kinda similar to hand sew buttonhole.   Once the final stitches are in place, cross-tacking stitches can be easily removed. It’s a handy method for ensuring precise and secure sewing results.

French TackStitch

French tack is this invisible bond that joins 2 layers of fabric in a garment without being all obvious about it. It is a sneaky little trick in sewing. You usually do it by hand, hiding it in the seam allowances. People like to use French tacks at spots like the hem of a skirt, the waistline, or the bottom of armholes. 

French TackStitch

The cool thing about French tacks is that they let the 2 layers of fabric move separately while still staying connected.

To make one, you do blanket stitches across a bunch of threads to create a little bar. Some folks say French tacks are stronger and fancier-looking than chain tacks, but chain tacks are easier to pick up.

Arrow Head Tacking Stitch

Arrowhead tacking is like a special sewing move that makes these cool temporary stitches look like little arrowheads. It looks like an overcast stitch. It’s super handy because it holds fabric in place really securely but is also easy to take out when you’re done. You’d use this technique when you need things to stay put just right before you do the real sewing.

Arrow Head Tacking Stitch

Arrowhead teck stitch like triangle-shaped tack stitch is a handy sewing technique used to strengthen specific parts of clothing, to stop them from tearing. It’s also a cute decorative stitch often seen in embroidery. So, not only does it add extra durability where needed, but it also adds a bit of flair to your sewing projects.

These stitches usually stand out because they’re made with a different color thread. Once you’re all done with the final stitching, you can just remove the arrowhead tacking stitches, and your sewing project looks all polished and pro. It’s a neat trick that combines accuracy and convenience in sewing jobs.

Bar Tacking Stitch

A bar tack is basically a stitch used to make seams super strong. You’ll often spot them on outdoor stuff, especially where straps meet fabric or on buckles and spots that get a lot of stress. 

Bar Tacking Stitch

It’s a bunch of zigzag stitches all packed close together. They’re usually around 1/16” to 1/8” wide and 1/2” to 3/4” long, but the size might change depending on what you’re using them for.

However, the size isn’t certain. It will depend on your stitch purpose. You will learn when you start to do the bar tack stitch by hand.

How To Do Tacking Stitch?

To do a tacking stitch, start by threading a needle with a contrasting single thread and knotting the end. Then, make long, straight stitchesthrough the layers of fabric you want to temporarily hold together. Space the stitches evenly, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart.

How To Do Tacking Stitch

Once you’ve tacked the area, secure the thread with a knot on the backside of the fabric or leave a tail for easy removal later. Tacking stitches are great for holding fabric in place while you sew, and they’re easy to take out once you’re done.

Not enough right? I know that’s why I have written an article covering every type of tacking stitch process. Read it out.😜

Tacking Stitches Examples

After learning the tacking stitch, I did it often here and there. I took it as practice, but it turned out to be fun. 😁

Tacking stitches are used to temporarily hold fabric, mark sewing lines, or position pieces before final stitching. Here is my tacking stitch work:

Tacking Stitches Examples
Tacking stitches examples with pictures
Simple tacking stitches examples
Tacking stitches examples for beginner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What Are The Two Types Of Tacking?

The two main types of tacking are hand tacking and machine tacking. Hand tacking involves using a needle and thread to create temporary stitches to hold fabric pieces together, while machine tacking utilizes a sewing machine to achieve the same result with quicker, automated stitches. Both methods serve the purpose of temporarily securing fabric layers before permanent stitching.

What Is Tacking Stitch An Example Of?

A tacking stitch is an example of a temporary stitch in sewing. Temporary stitches are used to temporarily hold fabric pieces together before permanent stitching, such as basting stitches, tailor’s tacks, or thread tracing. Once the final sewing is done, these temporary stitches are typically removed.

Final Talk

Now you know all types of tacking stitches, right? So, tell me which tacking stitches you find the most interesting. If you are on wanna learn more about it then stay with sewing inspo.

Maisha Soumee

Maisha Soumee

Hi there! I’m Maisha Soumee, the proud torchbearer of our family’s sewing legacy and the driving force behind this website. With Grandma Manha’s teachings as my foundation, I’m honored to continue the tradition of craftsmanship and creativity. As a passionate seamstress, I’m dedicated to sharing the joy of sewing with you, our valued community.

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