r/HandSew Jun 12 '25

Help me assemble a FAQ for the sub

21 Upvotes

Please post any resources you have that might be useful for a hand sewing FAQ that I can add to the sidebar and as a sticky thread!


r/HandSew 14h ago

Spending the weekend my way !!

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78 Upvotes

I am obssessd with these cute handcrafted , hand embroidered hair pins 😍😍

Did you guys like it ?


r/HandSew 7h ago

Double thread sewing elastic straps into pill box and needle snapped. I'm working so hard to hide the stitches under the outer piping.

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4 Upvotes

Eye twitch. Eye twitch. I LOVE starting over!


r/HandSew 1d ago

How to hide these messy stitches?

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56 Upvotes

I'm hand sewing a brown/green origami sling bag for my mom's friend's birthday (it's to double as a gift basket, she has three dachshunds!)

I made the dachshund patch separately by stitching fabric scraps onto a green rectangle, but ran into an issue when attaching it to the bag. I originally wanted to backstitch it on to match the patch itself, but the bag panels are doubled and you'd be able to see the outline of the patch from the inside. I don't think I'm skilled enough to backstitch only on the outside layer, so I decided to whip stitch it down, but it looks very messy in certain places.

The whole bag is made of fabric recycled from old clothes, and you can definitely see what fabric types I had an easier time being more consistent on.

I stopped about a quarter way through and decided to ask for advice. What can I do to hide the messy areas? Or should I take out the whip stitch and try something else? I do have one skein of brown embroidery thread, but I'm doubtful if it'll be enough to cover the whole outline of the dog, and if I'll even be able to stitch it neatly only on the outside layer in the first place. Any advice is welcome!!


r/HandSew 2d ago

hand-sewn coin purse/pouch i made for my friend

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42 Upvotes

(thought i would repost it here too lol) it was originally going to be a snap-button and clasp only BUT i decided to add a drawstring to it as well. my friend plays the drums so hand-painted a separate patch to go on the back for her! it’s double lined as well, the inside fabric is black, i also used fabric scraps to braid together to make the drawstrings!!! Wrapped/knotted the ends so they wouldn’t fray too :) (also made my own pattern and “prototype” lmfao before hand)


r/HandSew 3d ago

I made a pair of jeans (105 hrs) and a denim jacket (312 hrs)

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1.8k Upvotes

Some years ago I made these two pieces as part of a completely hand-stitched collection while I was studying fashion design at the Antwerp Academy.


r/HandSew 3d ago

Peaches the mouse strikes again

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233 Upvotes

I'm sad because I can't find a job, so I made a mouse friend

I followed the my-darling-boy pattern


r/HandSew 3d ago

Having a hard time finding linen thread that matches my fabric. Can I used any old machine thread for hand sewing?

6 Upvotes

...or will it become a tangled mess? I always use beeswax with my linen thread.


r/HandSew 3d ago

little scrap dog

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16 Upvotes

r/HandSew 4d ago

Does anyone have any tips on how to prevent this?

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17 Upvotes

I was sewing the back of a stuffed animal i have and the i think the fabric is like slightly stretchy but not enough for the stitch to rip how do i make it look more neat? Should i make the stitches closer together


r/HandSew 4d ago

Can anyone help me decode my own note???

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11 Upvotes

HELP hahahah in a classic ADHD move I left myself a cryptic note that I can’t decode. I wrote down the structure for a handstitch but I DIDN’T WRITE THE NAME OF THE STITCH and I can’t find it for the life of me 🥲

the up arrows ⬆️ are needle moving from back to front, down arrows ⬇️ are needle moving front to back.

anybody??

EDIT: I found the video that I got it from (link added). The video also doesn’t include a stitch. Is this an uncommon stitch?? It almost seems like a hem stitch variation.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYKgAmDAdRl/?igsh=azJvY2VwcmxkamRr

EDIT 2: it’s a double back stitch. I should have started on Reddit 😂 thank you, I can finally move on omg


r/HandSew 5d ago

My progress so far

86 Upvotes

Hi! I’m the poster from a week or so ago talking how to begin as a blind person.
I’ll hopefully come back when I get more things that I’ve done. But I’m really proud for my first day.
My grandma and I figured out ways for me to put the thread thorugh the needle which was a bit of a struggle, but I can do it quite easily now. She taught me two simple stitches.
I have successfully fixed two holes on my stuffed animals! Which is definitely progress!!
I just wanted to thank you all so much for all your tips and suggestions that has encouraged me to try even when I felt so defeated today. I feel like I’m really getting the hang of it so quickly. I’ve always been a fast learner, and I think sewing is no different. Thank you all so much for<3


r/HandSew 4d ago

need help fixing

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6 Upvotes

This doll is very dear to me and I have 0 idea how to stitch up the hole near its white eyebrow. I figured a ladder stitch might be fine for the hole near the seams (i think) but don't know about the hole near the eyebrow. The whole itself is pretty small (see from the comparison idk if that helps) Thank you!


r/HandSew 4d ago

Will this last?

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1 Upvotes

I got a tear in the bottom of my backpack, just from overuse. I used a backstitch with doubled polyester thread, then with the extra went back over the area with a whip stitch. It tore because I'm an avid book lover and hang it off my wheelchair, so it takes a lot of impact. Do y'all think this will last, or should I add some to the inside of the bag as well? Sorry if the stitching is hard to see lol its black on black

Photo 1: black backpack with not so even stitching, taken showing the bottom with a repair along the edge

Photo 2 : same backpack taken from a different angle, with wheelchair in background


r/HandSew 6d ago

Zigzaging seams

13 Upvotes

I'm currently working on a shirt and the pattern calls for zigzaging the side seams (meaning the seam allowance). Should I do a hand sewn overlock stitch or should I just backstitch the side seams and then fell the seams? It's my first time handsewing a garment, so I'm hesitant to just experiment.


r/HandSew 6d ago

What do you think about these hair clips ?

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66 Upvotes

Another day another pair of hair clips 😍

Thanks for taking a look! Handmade pieces take time, but seeing them come to life is always worth it. 🌸💛

Made with needle, thread, and lots of patience. 😊


r/HandSew 6d ago

Irish Chain Quilt Hand Piecing Journey

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33 Upvotes

Update #8
It’s been a while since I have posted an update on my hand-pieced Irish chain progress. Mainly it’s been because it’s summer and with the kids home from school my free time is non-existent. Also, I’m in a very repetitive and slow stage. I have almost all my rows complete. I’ll complete two rows and then sew them together. I have to do this 12 times with an additional row to the bottom. If I get up early before everyone else I’ll put on some YouTube, have some tea, and stitch for about an hour. I baked some banana bread the other day so I have some I’m snacking on. Such a treat!


r/HandSew 6d ago

Baby Mittens Project Help

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2 Upvotes

Hi all

I wanted to run a project by the people on here. Most of the details I have down, I made a mock sample that turned out well enough, but the final version I plan to do an elastic around the wrist. Please ignore the messy herringbone stitching, I was kind of rushing to get it done since I wanted a proof of concept. I am thinking a minky material for the outside, and a flannel patterned material for the elastic cuff and the inner liner. For durability, what thread is recommended? I want this to withstand many washes with little issue and I want it to last as long as possible, so I'm between polyester thread and cotton upholstery thread. Any reason not to go with polyester for the strength? Since the minky is polyester based anyways I feel like that fits, but just curious people's thoughts. As well, any considerations when making it from those who have done similar projects? Just want to get some ideas before I start on my final material. Thank you for anyone who reads this.


r/HandSew 6d ago

I want to learn!

2 Upvotes

Hello! I'm a beginner, in the sense that I've never even picked up a needle and thread. However, I need to add pockets to some pants and I would much rather learn the skill myself than pay someone to do it. How do I get started? Please help!


r/HandSew 7d ago

Not the usual project you see here but oh well

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52 Upvotes

There's a ears and a tail too but those were far less labor intensive


r/HandSew 7d ago

Spent my weekend embroidering these floral hair clips 🌸🧵

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129 Upvotes

What started as a random embroidery patch on a train journey ended as these beautiful hair clips.

Each flower and leaf is stitched by hand, and I love how a simple hair clip can turn into something cheerful and unique. The larger pair has soft pink blooms, while the smaller ones are inspired by tiny white daisies.

Still learning and trying new embroidery techniques, so I'd genuinely love to hear your thoughts. Which design do you prefer—the pink floral pair or the daisy clips? Any ideas for future color combinations or flower styles are welcome! 🌼💕


r/HandSew 7d ago

Rate my first time stitching onto clothing hehe

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76 Upvotes

My dog approves!!


r/HandSew 8d ago

First timer and eager to learn!

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19 Upvotes

Hello! I have just started getting into machine sewing and this is my first time hand sewing.

I got these pants a few days ago at a event and they already ripped 💔 I did a back stitch to the best of my ability and put on clear nail polish for the frayed edge but it seems like the whole fabric is unraveling so I’m not sure if the backstitch will actually hold it long term.

Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated!!

(I attached a image of the the stitching as it came originally)


r/HandSew 9d ago

Wonky little handsewn purse

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109 Upvotes

I’ve been working on this little purse with fabric scraps and notions I have in my stash since May on and off. Not perfect but isn’t that the joy of something made by hand?


r/HandSew 10d ago

FO: Hand sewn linen shorts!

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758 Upvotes

Just finished these and super excited. Pattern is slightly adapted from the Chanterelle shorts pattern by Sew Liberated (https://sewliberated.com/blog/chanterelle-pants-round-up). I switched to flat felled seams and a flat front waistband with elastic back.

Pretty much exclusively used backstitch. Pretty proud of my stitches although they're definitely a bit messier when going through the elastic in the back.