The running stitch is a line of evenly spaced stitches, the same length on both sides. It is quick, but not very strong, so it is used for light seams, gathering and decorative stitching such as quilting and Japanese sashiko.
| Strength | Low to medium |
|---|---|
| Visible on the right side | Yes |
| Stitch length | ⅛ in (3 mm) stitches and gaps for seams; longer for gathering |
| Level | Beginner |
| Good for | Hand seams on light fabric, gathering, quilting and sashiko. |
How to sew running stitch
- Thread the needle and knot the end of the thread.
- Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric at the start of the line.
- Weave the needle in and out along the line, loading several small, even stitches onto the needle.
- Pull the thread through, smooth the fabric, and repeat.
- Finish with two small stitches on top of each other on the back.
Tips
- Even spacing matters more than tiny stitches.
- For gathering, use a longer stitch and leave a long thread tail to pull.