How to Hand Sew (RIGHT HANDED): 18th-century Topstitching Tutorial

Quick and easy backstitch for topstitching. This is a strong hand sewn stitch. A spaced-backstitch is the stitch used to top-stitch 18th-century and early-19th century jackets and gowns seen on English and European clothing. It is strong, pretty, flexible and quick. I also love to use this stitch to sew seams quickly and on knitwear to stitch strong but flexible seams. Great hand sewing practice for historical hand sewing and better modern hand sewing technique!

Recommended hand sewing tools:

Copyright Sewn Company 2021.

[fangchick]

This is what I do for my seams. I find this much easier and stronger that exactly meeting the previous exit point of every stitch. I can pick up two threads for each back stitch with four for the underside.

[dilshandill]

you have a great tallent, respect, and thank you....!

[elliesettle]

I’m just learning to sew so I can make clothes for my BJD dolls and I don’t have the money for a sewing machine so this is so helpful I will be watching your vids on repeat! Amazing work

[jacquelinepaddock]

I know this stitch as a prick stitch. I have used it in a particularly bouncy tweed as a top stitch it disappeared into the fabric.

[amandasmith]

Hand sewed a tote bag last year. Used back stitch on the handles. Threads have broken in a few places, and I'm amazed that it's not unraveling! Only problem is that the handles show both sides of the backstitch, and I find the under side of a backstitch rather ugly. This version of a backstitch might be useful when both sides show.

[mikesrandomchannel]

Loving your videos. I combined this with a felled stitch to finish off a hem just today on another of my beginner practice projects, matching the felled stitch exactly to the pricked spacing and it looks *so good*

[hollysoule]

Very well presented...I have a very stretchy knit back seam to mend and I hope this works!

[bogbrither]

I think this is the stitch I need for a project where I'm hand sewing a gold trim to a white curtain and need very little of the white thread to be noticeable (hopefully invisible) on the front side

[mcfloat]

Is this stronger than a running backstich? Thank you