Embroidery
How to Choose & Use Machine Embroidery Stabilizer
Cutaway, tearaway or wash-away? Match the stabiliser to your fabric and design, then hoop it square so your embroidery lays flat every time.
Beginner15-20 min7 steps
Sewing & embroidery techniques
One skill at a time — stitches, seams, finishes and embroidery styles — each written as a tested, step-by-step guide and linked to the calculators that make it easier. 17 techniques live now, more rolling out.
17 of 17
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Difficulty
Hand Sewing
Running Stitch: How to Sew an Even Hand Stitch
The oldest stitch in sewing. Learn even spacing, how to keep it straight by eye and when a running stitch beats the machine.
Beginner10-15 min7 steps
Hand Sewing
Backstitch: The Strongest Stitch You Can Sew by Hand
Machine-stitch strength without a machine. Master the stitch that holds seams, repairs jeans and outlines hand embroidery.
Beginner10-15 min7 steps
Hand Sewing
Blanket Stitch: Edging, Appliqué and Decorative Seams
One stitch finishes a raw edge, decorates a cuff and bonds appliqué. Here is the rhythm, the anchor and the neat corner turn.
Intermediate20-25 min7 steps
Machine Sewing
Straight Stitch: Settings, Foot and Perfectly Straight Seams
The seam everyone assumes they know. Dial in length, foot and guide lines, then sew straight seams without steering.
Beginner10-15 min7 steps
Machine Sewing
Zigzag Stitch: Width, Length and When to Use Each
Finish edges, sew elastic, appliqué and mend holes with a zigzag — once you understand width versus length, not the other way round.
Beginner10-15 min7 steps
Machine Sewing
Staystitching: Stop Curved Seams from Growing Out
A single line of stitching keeps necklines and armholes the size your pattern drafted. Where to place it and when to remove it.
Intermediate10-20 min7 steps
Construction
How to Sew a Dart That Lies Flat and Points Sharply
Darts turn flat fabric into a shaped garment. Mark accurately, stitch to the point, and finish so nothing pokes through.
Intermediate20-30 min7 steps
Construction
Gathering with Elastic: Cuffs, Waists and Ruffles That Fit
Calculate the elastic length first, then gather evenly. The measurement step most tutorials skip and the reason ruffles end up wrong.
Beginner25-35 min7 steps
Quilting
Half-Square Triangles: Four Ways to Sew the Quilt Block
Two squares, four triangles, one unit. Compare the four-point method, the marker and the batch method, and stop losing accuracy.
Beginner30-45 min7 steps
Finishing
Quilt Binding: Cut, Join and Stitch a Flat Finish
Cut the right length, join the strips on the bias, miter square corners and finish the last seam invisibly.
Intermediate60-90 min7 steps
Hand Sewing
Chain Stitch by Hand: A Fast, Stretchy Outline Stitch
Mark a line, bring every loop back through the same hole and the chain keeps running. It follows curves, stretches with fabric and pulls out in one pull when a project changes direction.
Beginner15-25 min7 steps
Showing 12 of 17 techniques.
All 17 techniques
- How to Choose & Use Machine Embroidery Stabilizer
- Running Stitch: How to Sew an Even Hand Stitch
- Backstitch: The Strongest Stitch You Can Sew by Hand
- Blanket Stitch: Edging, Appliqué and Decorative Seams
- Straight Stitch: Settings, Foot and Perfectly Straight Seams
- Zigzag Stitch: Width, Length and When to Use Each
- Staystitching: Stop Curved Seams from Growing Out
- How to Sew a Dart That Lies Flat and Points Sharply
- Gathering with Elastic: Cuffs, Waists and Ruffles That Fit
- Half-Square Triangles: Four Ways to Sew the Quilt Block
- Quilt Binding: Cut, Join and Stitch a Flat Finish
- Chain Stitch by Hand: A Fast, Stretchy Outline Stitch
- Seed Stitch Embroidery: Fill a Shape with Scattered Dots
- Whip Stitch: Join and Close Edges with One Hidden Diagonal
- Counted Cross Stitch: Even Blocks From a Chart
- Redwork Embroidery: One Line, Whole Picture
- Sashiko Stitching: Running-Stitch Rows and Geometry