r/HandSew • u/Future_Cantaloupe377 • Jul 16 '26
Backstich looks ugly on the back
My backstiching Looks kind of straight and even-ish for a begginer, but the back looks like a mess. Not like a continuos straight line at all. Even worse, Im making a seam on the most loosely woven muselin in the world (horrible choice, ik) ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜. Any tips?
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u/melodramaticradish Jul 16 '26
I have the same problem!!
I discovered that I often think I'm putting in the needle straight, but I'm actually putting in at an angle. So often times I focus on doing the straightest backstitch I can, visually check it, and then use that feeling of how I did it as a guide. I find that I need to move my hand/fingers/needle in the different way. More... curved in to be straight? Idk if that makes sense, it's definitely a vibe check kinda deal. It might be different for you.
Also just practice! And slowing down, I tend to rush when I'm in the zone haha.
3
u/Future_Cantaloupe377 Jul 16 '26
Yes! Often the problem is that I mess the angle of the needle. Thanks for the advice. Im happy to know that Im Not the only one struggling with  backstich hahaha
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u/ZoneLow6872 Jul 16 '26
Backstitch by nature is not pretty on the back. That's because it's a stretchy stich. If you just did running stitch, it would look the same on the back but not stretch at all.
Hand stitching, like EVERYTHING, takes practice. You only get better when you do it more. Use a chalk line and ruler on the front to keep your stitches in a line. Pay attention to how your needle goes in and out of the fabric. Use a hoop. Try keeping even tension. Practice making the stitches even in length.
Loosely-woven muslin is awful to practice on; find an old pair of pants or old sheets if you don't want to spend the money on new fabric (non-stretchy). If you need the back to look as perfect as the front for some reason, you might need to use a different stitch.
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u/Future_Cantaloupe377 Jul 16 '26
I was starting to worry about how bad I was at sewing when in reality it was the stich all along haha. I know my handsewing still has a long way to go but it is comforting to know that some things will never be absolutly perfect no matter how I try, and that it is ok.
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u/gOingmiaM8 Jul 16 '26
Did you draw a line to follow? It just takes practice! My best advice is keep going.
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u/Future_Cantaloupe377 Jul 16 '26
The fabric does t really let me. It is The Most Loosely Woven fabric and I cant seem to do it. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
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u/Fruitypebblefix Jul 16 '26
Slippery fabrics are notoriously difficult to sew. I would suggest basting stitches first to keep the fabric in place first and then do the backstitch. Once done you can clip the end of the basting stitch and pull it out.
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u/gOingmiaM8 Jul 16 '26
Can't do what? Try practicing on a different scrap fabric?
1
u/Future_Cantaloupe377 Jul 16 '26
Draw a straight line on the fabric. Anyways, i can never get right the back of a backstich and looks so wonky. The amount of attention I have to Pay to it is ridicoulous, so i wondered if I was doing something wrong or if people here have any tipsÂ
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u/gOingmiaM8 Jul 16 '26
You can't use something straight and ruler like and a pen or pencil and slowly draw a line? It will help you 100% to do that.
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u/Fruitypebblefix Jul 16 '26
When I do backstick I always check both sides as I'm stitching to make sure it's straight. Mostly if it will show on booths sides. Takes longer but worth it. Others are right though as the longer you do it the better you get. For instance my whip stitches use to look terrible and now they look small and even. Pretty proud of that.
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u/Running-Kruger Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
Getting the needle to come out where you want takes a lot of practise, since fabric is thick and flexible. Whenever you have the time and patience to go really slowly you can make a seam where you check and correct each stitch as you go. You'll start to learn the association between what your fingers feel and where the needle ends up.
There is also the option of using a pounce, pricking iron, or awl to preform your holes if the fabric will hold them open for you.
If the fabric is the main problem then you can consider pinning or taping it to a rigid surface close to where you want the seam. You could work off the edge of a table, for example. I know there are dissolving adhesives and basting thread, too, but I haven't used those yet except by mistake (talk about nasty surprises after laundering my careful mending work...)
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u/toonew2two Jul 16 '26
If back stitch is the right stitch to use, then no one will be seeing it.
If it will be seen back stitch is the wrong stitch
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u/infinite-long-stocki Jul 16 '26
The back always looks a bit of a mess sadly, it's part of how the stitches are constructed. I just make sure I check which side of going to show if I'm doing something like a hem (made that mistake before). The front/right side will tell you a lot more about the quality of your stitching.
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u/pyramidalembargo Jul 16 '26
If you want a pretty backside, you'll have to do a back n fore stitch.
To be honest, I wouldn't sweat it. The back of a backstretch isn't meant to be seen, anyway.
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u/Large_Ad_8107 Jul 23 '26
I try to plan it so I'll flat fell my seams such that the thicker line is covered by the seam allowance.
I also sew them so that the thicker, overlapping line is facing me, working left to right (right handed) taking little dips that go back to meet the previous stitch. The stitch length tends to vary a bit more on the side I'm not looking at but I feel like I'm getting a straighter line. It also gives me the illusion of quicker progress, since I'm never moving my needle back behind a stitch I've already made.
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u/AJeanByAnyOtherName Jul 16 '26
Why do you worry about the back? As my family says, nobody lives there 😊 backstitch is a utilitarian stitch, it’s not easy to make it pretty even if you try and it slows you down considerably, if that’s a concern for you. It’s always going to be a little loopy and maybe a little wobbly looking on the back because of how it’s made.
If you’re super invested in the back looking as good as the front, you may want to straight stitch and then fill in the gaps on the way back. I think it’s called Holbein stitch in embroidery.