How to Sew a Backstitch

Gather and Prepare Your Supplies

• 1

  Pin your fabric, right sides together, along the line you want to backstitch. This keeps the fabric in place and helps ensure a smooth seam. You can remove the pins as you sew.

• 2

  Cut a length of thread to start. Anything over 24 inches is likely to get tangled and knotted, so stick to shorter lengths.

• 3

  Thread your needle by moistening one tip of your thread. Insert the moistened end through the eye of the needle and pull to create a 3- to 4-inch tail.

• 4

  Take the other end and wrap it once around the first knuckle of the middle finger of your non-dominant hand, holding it in place with your thumb. Using your thumb, roll this loop up and off your finger, twisting as you go (you should end up with a loose knot). Tighten the knot by pulling it downward.

Sew the Backstitch

• 5

  Start at the top of the seam line you want to sew. Insert the threaded needle from the bottom side of the fabric and push it through to the top.

• 6

  Pull from the top until the knot catches.

• 7

  Insert your needle about 1/8 inch below the position where the thread came out in the first step.

• 8

  Grab the needle from underneath (holding both ends of thread at the base of the needle securely) and pull it taut.

• 9

  Insert the needle 1/8 inch below the last needle hole and pull it through the top, again holding the thread securely at the needle's base.

• 10

  Insert and push your needle through the fabric at the bottom end of the stitch that is showing on top of the fabric.

• 11

  Repeat this process until you've reached the end of the area you want to sew together.

• 12

  Push the needle through to the bottom side of the fabric and run it under the previous stitch.

• 13

  Pull it taut and cut the thread to leave a 1- to 2-inch tail.