Running Stitch
The Running Stitch is also known as a Basting Stitch and it is a quick and easy way to sew two pieces of fabric together (though not very securely!) or to embroider a dashed line. You'll also encounter it when sewing clothes for peg dolls, as a Running Stitch is a great way to form a gather along the neck of a cloak or hood.
Please note that this "Stitch Guide" is a work in progress. We'll have new illustrations and a few helpful videos soon!
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Step 1:
Most sewing patterns will give you a suggested seam allowance. This is the distance you should keep between your stitches and the raw edge of the fabric. Start with your needle at the back of your fabric and poke it up towards you at the specified seam allowance.
Step 2:
Apply pressure with your thumb to help the needle poke up through the fabric
Insert your needle down through the fabric a short distance to the right and poke it up again the same distance away. With thin fabrics, you can catch two or even three stitches on your needle at one time. Pull the thread all the way through. A tiny running stitch might be about 1/8” in length, where as a big basting stitch (a temporary stitch to hold things together) could be close to 1/2”. A quick Running Stitch through thin fabric can be achieved by rocking the needle in and out of the fabric multiple times before pulling the thread through. It's a little trickier with felt! Children may want to use a simple "stab" method, pulling the thread through with each stitch.
Step 3:
Continue working right to left, keeping a consistent stitch length as you poke the needle in and out.
