BACKSTITCH - How to Backstitch Step by Step

Are you wanting to know how to backstitch? Backstitch is a popular hand stitch used for seams to give them strength and durability. It is still used by many couture clothing designers to sew their creations and has a wide variety of uses and applications. If you have some mending to do or just need to hand sew a project then learning how to backstitch by hand is perfect for you, even if you are a beginner!

How To Backstitch Tutorial

Backstitch Definition

A back stitch is a basic hand stitch where the thread is sewn in a back and forth motion. The top of the stitch looks like a series of small touching stitches while the back is overlapping.

Which is the Strongest Stitch by Hand?

The backstitch of course! Due to its back and forth motion and the ability to get really small stitches, the backstitch is the strongest stitch you can use when you don't have a sewing machine.

Tools Used to Backstitch

• THREAD
• NEEDLE
• LIGHTING - As with all hand sewing, make sure you are sitting in a well-lit area. You will be amazed at the difference good light makes, especially if you are sewing something where the backstitches will show on the outside and need to be small and neat.
• MAGNIFYING - If you wear glasses like me, then grab them now!
• EMBROIDERY HOOP - A hoop is only needed for holding the fabric taut if you are sewing embroidery. For using back stitch on seams, you do not need one.

Best Thread for Backstitch

If you are sewing a backstitch as a decorative feature on your sewing project then use embroidery floss which comes in a rainbow of colors. Otherwise, if you are mending or hand-stitching when you can't use a sewing machine, a regular thread will do. Try to use a thread that is polyester and fairly strong so your seams will withstand washing and wearing.

Further Reading: Types of Sewing Thread

Best Needle for Backstitch

You don't need any special needle to backstitch. Just use a hand needle suitable for the fabric and thread you are using. If you are using embroidery floss, you will need something with a large eye, such as an embroidery needle, and you should thread it using a needle threader.

Further Reading: Types of Hand Sewing Needles

When to Use Backstitch?

One of the main purposes of the backstitch is to sew strong seams without a sewing machine. It is stronger than the simple running stitch, and although it takes a little longer, it is still relatively quick. Read more about the basic stitches of embroidery.

As well as hand sewing seams, backstitch can be used for decorative purposes. See how I used a backstitch for the doll's face in her eyelashes and mouth. These were done in really tiny stitches in embroidery floss.

When using the backstitch for outlines or embroidery, always mark the pattern first with a removable pen or chalk.

How to Backstitch Video Tutorial

Watch this video from my YouTube channel, which shows you how to backstitch. In addition to showing you the basic backstitch, it also shows how to backstitch around corners and how to change threads.

I post sewing and craft videos weekly, so don't forget to subscribe. All the videos are fast and focused, so you don't have to waste too much time getting the information you need. Grab a coffee, press play, and enjoy. It is only 2 minutes long.

How to Backstitch - Hand Embroidery Step by Step

Learn how to embroider and the best embroidery stitches with this easy beginner's guide.

Step 1 - Knot the Thread

First, start by knotting your thread. If you are using a regular thin thread, then thread it double for a strong seam. For a thicker embroidery floss like my sample, I just threaded it single and knotted one end.

Further Reading: How to Thread a Needle

Step 2 - First Stitch

For your first sample, it can be easier to draw straight lines to stitch along.

1. Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric at (1).

2. Insert the needle down in the fabric at (2), which is approximately ¼ inch (6mm) away. This is exactly the same as sewing a running stitch.

3. Bring the needle up at (3), which is the same distance as that between (1) and (2). For our sample, this is ¼ inch.

Step 3 - Stitch Backwards

1. Take a small backstitch in the fabric, inserting the needle in the same place as the last stitch at (2).
2. Bring the needle up in front of the next stitch at an equal distance at the position (5). If your first stitch was ¼ inch (6mm), then this means you will bring the needle up ¼ inch in front of the second stitch.
3. Try and keep the stitches straight and in line.
4. If you need really neat stitching, you could even measure and mark equal distances with a ruler. Don't forget, the smaller your stitches, the stronger the seam will be.

Step 4 - Pull Needle Through

Pull the needle through to reveal your very first back stitch!

Step 5 - Repeat

Repeat all the way along your seam until you reach the end. This means placing the needle in at the first stitch and up at an equal distance from the second stitch.

My stitches went a little crooked in the middle, but you can prevent that by drawing a line along the seam with chalk before you start.

If you are sewing a hand seam, then it doesn't matter if it is not perfectly straight, but for embroidery, you would want it to look as neat as possible.

Alternatives to Backstitch

If you are having trouble with the back and forth motion of backstitch, then substitute a simple running stitch. This is the easiest hand stitch you could ever learn and is a simple up and down motion. While not quite as strong, if you take small stitches, you will still get a great result.

Here you can see how running stitch looks different from backstitch. Notice the gaps between stitches in the running stitch.

• BACKSTITCH - slower but stronger
• RUNNING STITCH - faster and easier for beginners but not as strong

Backstitch Direction

In the sample above, I have stitched right to left, but you can equally sew in the other direction. It will just depend on which feels most comfortable to you. As long as you are continually going into the previous stitch, you will get a nice strong row of backstitch.

Backstitch Variation - The Whipped Backstitch

Once you have your basic backstitch perfected, you can make a beautiful rope-like stitch called the whipped backstitch. This stitch is sewn like a regular backstitch with a second thread woven up and under the thread.

Backstitch - In Conclusion

If you are confused by any of the steps, you can go back and watch the video or look at the numbered illustration below. The video also includes how to turn a corner when backstitching and how to change thread. Because you are going forwards and backward continually, it uses a lot of thread, and you will be knotting on and off continually.

Give it a try. Like many things, it is easier than it looks and is sometimes faster than setting up your sewing machine for small projects.

All done! What are you planning on using your backstitch for? I have lots of free sewing projects on this site for you to try.

More Hand Stitching

1. How to Sew a Seam by Hand – How to hand-stitch a seam in 2 easy ways.
2. How to Sew Whip Stitch - This is used to hand applique fabrics such as felt.
3. Basic Hand Stitches - These include the running stitch, backstitch, whip stitch, satin stitch, ladder stitch (sometimes called a slip stitch), and blanket stitch.
4. Running Stitch - This is one of the simplest hand stitches and is great for decorative stitching and as an alternative to backstitch when sewing seams. 
5. How to Sew Blanket Stitch - The blanket stitch can be used on the edges.
6. How to Sew a Ladder Stitch - A ladder stitch is used to give an invisible finish to openings. Use it to close pillows, mend toys, and more. It is one of the most commonly used hand stitches.

If you have been looking up how to backstitch because you don't have a sewing machine yet, then these articles might help you.

1. Best Swing Machine - I look at some of the best for different budgets.
2. Sewing Machine vs Serger vs Coverstitch - Find out the differences.
3. Learning to Sew - 21 tips for beginners.

MORE EMBROIDERY ARTICLES

1. Backstitch
2. Blanket Stitch
3. Bullion Knots
4. Buttonhole Stitch
5. Chain Stitch
6. Chevron Stitch
7. Couching Embroidery Tutorial
8. Cross Stitch
9. Double Herringbone Stitch
10. Embroidery Basics
11. Embroidery Flowers
12. Embroidery Leaves
13. Embroidery Letters
14. Embroidery Roses
15. Embroidery Tools
16. Faggoting Embroidery
17. Feather Stitch
18. Fern Stitch
19. Fishbone Stitch
20. Fly Stitch
21. French Knots
22. Hand Embroidery Stitches
23. Herringbone Stitch
24. Lazy Daisy
25. Long and Short Stitch
26. Outline Stitch
27. Running Stitch
28. Sashiko Embroidery
29. Satin Stitch
30. Seed Stitch Embroidery (Rice Stitch)
31. Split Stitch
32. Stem Stitch
33. Straight Stitch Embroidery
34. Web Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial
35. Whip Stitch
36. Whipped Backstitch