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The running stitch is a straight stitch which is used in hand-sewing, hand-basting, gathering, and embroidery. It can be used on straight or curved seams.
The running stitch is great for basting, because you can make the stitches any length you want, and they also are easy to remove. This stitch is great for basting seams together before sewing to help keep the fabric in place. Basting the seams is great for those just learning to sew. It is also great for basting the seams of a garment for fitting as the stitches will hold when secured with a backstitch.
The running stitch is also great to use in simple seams, hemming and simple alterations. In quilting the running stitch is used to hold the batting in place.
When used with thicker thread it is great for embroidery and topstitching designs.
To make the running stitch simply pass the needle in and out of the fabric creating even stitches on the top and bottom. Generally the stitches on top will be twice the length or longer than the stitches on the bottom.
There is no rule on how long to make the stitches, but when using the stitch for basting you would naturally make the stitches longer for easy removal; when using the stitch to hold a seam, hem, or other alterations, then you would make the stitches shorter for firmer stitching, so the seam won't come apart.
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