Overcasting wraps the thread around a raw edge so that the threads of the fabric cannot unravel. It is the hand-sewn version of a zigzag or overlocked edge.
| Strength | Low to medium |
|---|---|
| Visible on the right side | Yes (on the inside of the item) |
| Stitch length | Stitches about ¼ in (6 mm) apart and deep |
| Level | Beginner |
| Good for | Finishing seam allowances by hand when you have no serger or zigzag. |
How to sew overcast stitch
- Work on a single layer, or on both seam allowances together.
- Bring the needle through from back to front, about ⅛–¼ in (3–6 mm) from the raw edge.
- Take the thread over the edge to the back.
- Insert the needle again from the back, a little further along.
- Repeat with even spacing, keeping the thread loose enough not to curl the edge.
Tips
- Trim the edge straight first.
- On fabrics that fray a lot, space the stitches closer together.