Tutorial: Catch Stitch

Hello friends!

How are you liking the month of September? I am loving it! The weather is perfect (just the right mix of cold and heat spells) I can tell its going to just fly by, we're already a week in!

So without further ado, we're just going to jump right in with one of my favorite stitches...

The Catch Stitch:

This stitch is done by hand. It is a hemming stitch (don't worry we'll cover hemming on Thursday) It helps keep the hem in a garment in balance and allows a very slight amount of movement, so the hem is not so rigid. (This is awesome because usually things that need hemming we also wear, and "I like to move it, move it") It can also be a beautiful decorative stitch. It is easy to adjust the size and spacing to accommodate the type and weight of the fabric being used. It consists of over lapping diagonal stitches on the inside and a very small, nearly invisible, stitches on the outside.

Here's an example

And now the Directions...

Note: Your hem should already be ironed and pinned in place
1. Thread your needle, you will use a single thread. Tie a knot at the end
-TIP your thread should only be about 12 inches long, so it doesn't get all knotted while you're sewing.
2. Start by bringing the needle out through the inner hem, the part folded to the inside of the garment
3. Now, you will be sewing down, but moving in the up direction, this will cause your threads to look like X's. Make a small stitch which points down, about 1/8 in. above the edge of the hem line. You will only "catch" 2-3 strands of thread from your garment in the small stitch. Pull the thread through the fabric.
4. Insert the thread on the hem edge, a little ways up, but with your stitches still pointing down, and make a small stitch (remember to only catch a couple threads)
5. Alternate stitching in this zig zagging diagonal fashion. You will see the pattern begin to form. Make sure to keep your stitches a little loose so the hem can retain its flexibility.
6. Tie off your thread and enjoy your handy work

Remember, Your stitches and pointing down, or to the right (depending on how you hold your hem) but the direction you are moving is upward, or to the left.

To see an great video clip click here

PS- Nancy won the seam ripper.. lucky!