Are you afraid of sewing by hand?
Maybe you think it's something that only artisans (or people with surgeon-like precision) can do.
Well I've got great news for you:
Sewing by hand can feel overwhelming at first. But here's the truth:
Absolutely anybody can learn how to sew by hand!
Not only that, but knowing how to sew by hand will also open important doors for you.
It'll allow you to sew buttons, make quick repairs on your clothes, hand-baste fabric, add decorative details, and more.
That's why in this how to sew by hand tutorial, we'll go over everything you need to know to get started.
Let's dive in!
How to Sew by Hand (Simple Tutorial)
How to Hand Stitch Step #1: Cutting Your Thread
Start by taking your spool of thread and cutting about 12 - 24".
You'll want it to be long enough to complete your stitch, but not too long that the thread gets tangled up as you sew.
If you want concrete numbers, a rule of thumb you can follow is to cut twice the length of your stitch.
Also, keep in mind that if you're double-threading as you sew, you'll want to double the length of your thread as well.
So if your stitch length is 6", cut around 12" of thread for a single-thread stitch, while a double-thread stitch should use around 24" of thread.
Double-threading is a helpful trick when sewing applications that require more strength, such as buttons or shoulder seams.
How to Hand Stitch Step #2: Threading Your Needle
Next, you'll want to add thread to your needle, which is known as threading your needle.
To do this, hold your needle firmly in one hand, with the eye side of the needle facing upwards. Then, carefully insert your thread through the eye of the needle, and pull it through.
If you're sewing a single-thread stitch, just pull through a small amount of thread, about 2 - 3". This is so that the thread doesn't slide out of the needle as you sew.
For beginners, you can also tie a small knot on the end of your thread to prevent it from slipping off the needle. Make sure the knot is just big enough so that it can't slip through the eye of the needle, but small enough so that it doesn't block
If you're sewing a double-thread stitch, pull the thread all the way through until the length is equal on both sides.
How to Hand Stitch Step #3: Stitch!
There are dozens of different stitches you can sew by hand. The most basic stitch is the straight stitch, used for joining fabric pieces, creating seams, hemming, and more.
- To do a straight stitch, start by inserting your needle through the fabric from the underside and pulling the thread all the way through.
If you're using a straight stitch to join two pieces of fabric together, first align the fabric pieces, and then insert your needle through both layers of fabric.
- Next, push the needle back down through the fabric about ⅛" to ¼" away from your first stitch.
- Then push the needle up through the fabric again, about ⅛" to ¼" away from your second stitch.
- Repeat this stitching pattern until you reach the end of your seam or design.
Aside from straight stitches, there are several other types of stitches you can use for different purposes.
Back stitches have more strength than straight stitches, slip stitches make your seams invisible from the outside, and overstitches create super durable seams.
There are even decorative stitches that you can sew into your garments, like chain stitches, French knots, or feather stitches.
If you'd like to learn how to sew these stitches and more, we have a full blog post going over 14 hand sewing stitches you need to know.
How to Hand Stitch Step #4: Knotting and Cutting
Regardless of which type of stitch you choose, you'll eventually get to the end of your fabric where you knot and cut off your thread.
To create a knot, push the needle through the final stitch, but instead of pulling the thread all the way through, leave some behind, creating a small loop.
Then, bring the needle through the loop and pull.
Repeat this 2 - 3 times to secure it in place. Then stitch your needle about ¼" - ½" away from the knots, and cut the excess thread.
Mistakes to Avoid While Hand Sewing
- Using untreated thread - if your thread is fraying, twisting, or knotting by itself, you may want to treat your thread first. Beeswax or thread conditioner are great options for preventing this.
- Not knotting properly - knotting your thread at the beginning and end of your stitch is critical. If you don't add knots or your knots aren't strong enough, your entire stitch can unravel easily.
- Pulling the thread too tight - there's sometimes a temptation to pull tightly on your thread to secure the fabric pieces together. However, this can cause your fabric to pucker. Instead, pull your thread just enough — not too loose but not too tight.
- Using too much thread - if you use a very long thread, it can easily get tangled up as you sew. Instead, try to keep your thread at around 12" - 24".
Sewing by Hand for Beginners: Projects You Can Take On
Buttons
One of the most important things to know how to hand-sew are buttons.
Buttons are unique, since you aren't stitching two pieces of fabric together. Instead, you're attaching a button to your garments. However, sewing buttons is a great way to get used to the motor skills needed for hand sewing.
Here's how:
- Thread your needle with a double strand of thread and tie a secure knot at the end.
- Anchor the thread by making a few small stitches in the marked spot where the button will go.
- Position the button over the anchored stitches.
- Sew the button in place:
- For a 2-hole button, bring the needle up through one hole and down through the other, repeating several times until the button feels secure.
- For a 4-hole button, stitch in an X-pattern across the holes, repeating as needed.
- Create a thread shank by wrapping the thread tightly around the stitches between the button and the fabric 3–4 times. This gives the button some space to move, which helps with wear and tear.
- Secure the thread by pushing the needle to the back side of the fabric, stitching a few small loops, and tying a knot.
- Trim the excess thread for a neat finish.
For more information about sewing buttons, such as how to create buttonholes, read our full guide here.
Decorative Stitches
Another easy hand-sewing project you can take on is adding decorative stitches to clothes you already have.
This is a low-pressure and fun way to give some style to your clothes.
One easy decorative stitch you can try is a chain stitch.
These stitches don't serve any functional purpose. However, they're a nice little addition to sew on your garments for some flair.
Here's how to sew them:
- Bring your needle up through the underside of the fabric to start your first stitch.
- Insert the needle back into the same hole (or right next to it), but don't pull the thread all the way through — leave a small loop on the surface.
- Move the needle forward about ⅛" to ¼" along your stitching line and bring it up from the underside again.
- Pass the needle through the loop from the previous stitch and gently pull the thread to form a chain-like loop on the fabric.
- Repeat: Insert the needle back into the same hole it just came out of to form another loop, and continue stitching in this way down the line.
- When you reach the end of your design, secure the last loop with a small stitch and tie a knot on the back of the fabric.
Aside from chain stitches, we also take a look at 3 other decorative stitches in our full list of hand-sewing stitches you can try.
Hand Basting
Basting stitches are temporary stitches used to hold fabric together while you sew a final stitch. They're commonly used for more complex stitches, such as necklines, zippers, or sleeves.
Sewing basting stitches by hand is one of the fastest ways to do this.
All you need to do is sew a simple straight stitch on the fabric you want to hold in place. You'll want your stitch length to be slightly longer than usual, since this is just a temporary stitch.
Also, hand-basting stitches are meant to be removed, so don't worry too much about making them perfectly straight.
Ready to Start Sewing by Hand?
Sewing by hand might seem primitive to some, but the truth is it unlocks so much potential for every sewist.
Need to add a button? Just sew it in.
Need to add more stability to your fabric? Hand-baste it first.
Any time you need to make a quick repair on your garments, all you'll need is a needle and thread, and you can get it done.
Any time you want to add a bit of style to your clothes, grab your needle and get to work with decorative stitches.
The possibilities are endless.
So follow the steps above and get sewing!
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In it, we teach you the five secret techniques professionals use all the time to make their clothes just that much better.
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