18 Catch Stitch
Sheri Deaton
Catch Stitch
Catfish Catch Stitch
The catch stitch, also called the herringbone stitch, is commonly used to hem garments. It can also be useful when tacking two pieces of fabric together. A catch stitch is a good option when sewing thicker fabrics or knits, as the pattern of stitches allows for movement and give. The catch stitch is often found on the hem of higher-end garments and is an excellent skill for students to learn. The type of fabric that you are using will be one of the most important deciding factors to consider when you are creating a hem. Fabrics with stretch tend to do better with a blind stitch or catch stitch, both of which allow for movement and give.
Do not be fooled–this stitch is neither weak nor difficult to master. Opportunities to practice this skill, along with directions in students’ preferred method of learning are two excellent strategies to employ when teaching the catch stitch. Some students will learn this skill through reading the directions, others will grasp this by looking at pictures, while yet others need a video or demonstration to assist them in their understanding. Know your students and choose the teaching strategy that best fits the needs of your learners (Deaton, 2021).
Catchy Catch Stitch Creation
- Thread the needle and make a double knot at the end of the thread.
TIP: For a project, encourage students to pick a thread color that matches the fabric to ensure that the stitches do not show through on the other side. For a practice/demonstration on this skill, consider using a contrasting color so that students will see the stitches and see how they look from both sides of the fabric.
- Work from left to right. Pick up one or two threads of garment fabric directly above the hem. Pull the thread through the fabric. Do not pull too tightly, otherwise the seam will pucker.
- Move ¼” to the right. Take a small stitch in the hem, 1/8” down from the edge of the hem.
- Pull the thread through. Move to the right and repeat the stitch. This crisscross pattern should be created using stitches of consistent depth and length.
- Finish the seam with a back-tack knot.
Spruce Crafts (Johanson, 2020) created a step-by-step picture tutorial for how to make a catch stitch. Check out her directions found on her blog How to Do a Catch Stitch.
Hemming it Up
The catch stitch is a skill every sewer needs to have as a tool in their toolbox. You do not want to be caught off guard without this skill!
Knowing how to sew a hem on a heavy fabric or a knit fabric is essential for a well-balanced approach and holistic understanding of hand sewing. Practice patience with yourself and your students as they learn this new skill. Practice makes permanent!
Resources
| Resources | QR Codes |
| Catch Stitch | Hand Sewing | |
| How to Sew: The Catch Stitch | Herringbone & Basic | Hem Heavy Fabrics |
References
Deaton, S. (2021). Teaching Apparel Production. Presentation.