Stitching transforms raw fabrics into amazing clothes. Whether crafted by hand or by machines, stitching adds that special touch. You'll discover a myriad of stitching styles everywhere, from local shops to upscale stores, offering over 300 types to choose from. It's the secret ingredient that enhances the beauty of fabrics.
In ancient times, people used bone and horn needles, along with animal sinew, to sew garments made of fur, hide, skin, and bark. The first needles, known as bone awls, emerged in South Africa around 76,000 years ago. Metal needles, such as iron ones, arrived in the 14th century, and eyed needles were invented in the 15th century. Eventually, sewing needles transitioned to steel, still widely used today.
The roots of stitched clothing in India trace back to the 3rd century BCE, evidenced by a Mauryan Empire statue featuring a woman donning an embroidered fabric waistband. The credit for introducing stitched clothes like kurtas, salwars, and topees to India goes to the Shakas, Kushanas, and Parthians in the 2nd century BC. However, it wasn't until the Gupta period that stitched clothing gained widespread popularity. During the Maurya and Gupta periods, people wore a mix of stitched and unstitched garments, with essentials like Antariy (made of white cotton or muslin) and Uttariya (a scarf for the top half).
The Muslim empires in India played a pivotal role in shaping stitched and tailored garments around the 15th century. Even before the 10th century AD, the art of stitching and tailoring garments in India had started evolving.
Embark on this blog journey with us, as we delve into the rich tapestry of stitching styles that make Indian fashion truly unique. Discover the diverse offerings from apparel and garment manufacturers in India, uncovering the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
Running Stitch: The running stitch is a simple way to sew fabrics together or tidy up the edges. It's like making a line by passing the thread under the fabric one step at a time. This stitch is super common in embroidery. It gives a neat and secure finish to your sewing. The straight or running stitch is the most basic one in hand-sewing and embroidery. All other sewing methods are just variations of this stitch. You make the stitch by moving the needle in and out of the fabric at an even distance. Other stitches are made by changing things like the length, space, and direction of this basic straight stitch.
Backstitch: The backstitch is a tough and reliable stitch used for sewing seams together, attaching buttons, and adding appliqués. It involves stitching backward, starting from the back of the thread. It's a simple way to sew, but you might not need it all the time because it can show in the seam. People mostly use it for hand-sewing two pieces of fabric, setting boundaries, or making outlines. It's a strong and permanent stitch, thanks to the small stitches done back and forth, making it the toughest among basic stitches. So, if you're sewing by hand without a machine, the backstitch is your go-to for making sturdy seams.
Stem Stitching: Stem stitch is a basic embroidery stitch used to make thin lines and outlines. People often use it to show things like plant stems and veins, that's why it's called stem stitch. The stitch looks like a continuous, overlapping line, kind of like a twisted thread or a cable. Stem stitch is handy and can be used to make all sorts of designs, from simple outlines to more complicated patterns.
French Seam: A French seam is a way to tidy up the edges of fabric and stop them from fraying. People often use it on delicate fabrics or seams that will be visible, like hems on scarves or blouses. To do a French seam, you sew the seam twice, wrapping the raw edge inside the seam. This creates a really neat and delicate seam, perfect for sheer or lightweight fabrics. Here's how you do it: First, put the pieces together with the wrong sides facing each other, then pin them. Next, use a straight stitch to sew a seam, staying about 3/8 inch from the edge.
Whipstitches: The whip stitch is a simple and fast way to finish hems on light fabrics like chiffon or silk. People use it for various things like making appliques, closing pillow and cushion sides, hemming jeans, and putting together crocheted toys. It gives a tidy seam and is also used as a decorative stitch in leather clothes and accessories.
Zig-zag Stitch: The zigzag stitch is like a handy all-in-one stitch that you can use for lots of things. It works for sewing seams, adding on appliques, and making decorative stitches on top. Unlike a regular straight stitch, it goes back and forth. This stitch is great for tasks where a straight stitch won't cut it, like reinforcing buttonholes, sewing stretchy fabrics, and temporarily joining two pieces of work edge-to-edge.
Satin Stitch: A satin stitch is a common and classic embroidery technique used to fill in areas with a solid color. It's also known as a damask stitch. This stitch is popular because it looks neat, although it can be a bit tricky to keep it that way. When you use a satin stitch, you're essentially covering the entire background with thread, making it a filling stitch. The key is to be careful while stitching to keep it smooth. In sewing and embroidery, you can create narrow rows of satin stitch using a regular sewing machine with a zigzag stitch or a special satin stitch foot.
French Knots: A French knot is a way of doing embroidery where you create small knots or bumps with the thread. It looks especially nice on woolen fabric like sweaters. The size of the French knot can change based on how many times you wrap the thread around the needle and the type of thread you use. For instance, using a thicker 6-strand embroidery thread makes a bigger knot than using fewer strands. There are lots of different patterns and styles you can make with French knots.
Cross Stitch: Cross stitch is a simple embroidery stitch that creates small X-shaped stitches. It's the most popular and oldest form of embroidery. People use it for various things like making cushions, decorative pieces, gifts, and woolen garments. In cross-stitch, you create a picture using X-shaped stitches in a tiled pattern. The key is to count the threads on the fabric so that the stitches are all the same size and look even. It's a straightforward and widely loved form of needlework.
Feather Stitch: Feather stitch is an embroidery technique used to create fancy feathers or leaves. Its name comes from the fact that it looks like feathers. It originated in England and has two types: Single feather and double feather. This stitch involves making diagonal line stitches, going left and right alternatively. It's great for covering a larger fabric surface with a nice pattern. Feather stitch is made up of zigzagging diagonal blanket stitches. This technique, popular in the 19th century, involves looped stitches. People also call it faggoting or fly stitch. Feather stitching is often used to decorate things like smocks or crazy quilts.
Chain Stitch: Chain stitch is an embroidery stitch used to make outlines or borders, giving a ropelike effect. It's considered simple needlework, acting like a rope to lock thick fabrics together. This stitch leaves thick and textured lines on fabric and can be stronger than lock stitches. Though it might seem complicated at first, with time and practice, you can get the hang of it. In chain stitching, a series of looped stitches create a chain-like pattern. This technique has been used for a very long time, making it an ancient craft.
Blind Stitch: A blind stitch in sewing is a way of sewing two pieces of fabric together so that you can't see the stitches from the outside. With blind hem stitches, the stitches are hidden when you look at the garment, and they're mostly hidden on the inside too. When sewing this way, the needle only catches a few threads of the fabric each time, so most of the stitching is tucked away inside the hem. It makes the finished product look neat and tidy.
Applique Stitch: Appliqué stitch is a way of decorating by sewing pieces of fabric onto other fabrics to create beautiful designs. It's like putting together patches of fabric in different shapes and patterns to make a picture or design on a larger piece. People often use this to decorate garments. You can do it by hand or use a machine for the stitching. It's a cool way to add pretty patterns to clothes or other fabric items.
Buttonhole Stitch: Buttonhole stitch and its cousin, the blanket stitch, are stitches used by hand in tailoring, embroidery, and making needle lace. People typically use this stitch to secure the edges of buttonholes. Besides strengthening buttonholes and keeping fabric from fraying, these stitches are also used in embroidery to create stems, sew eyelets, attach appliqué to fabric, and as couching stitches. It's a handy stitch for various sewing tasks!
Overcast Stitches: The overcast stitch is a kind of stitch used to cover up the edge of the fabric to stop it from fraying. It's like putting a neat finish on a raw or unfinished seam. In embroidery, this stitch is also used on even-weave fabrics to create a raised line, often used for outlining designs. It's a useful stitch to make things look tidy and prevent fabric from unraveling.
Blanket Stitching: The blanket stitch is a handy sewing stitch that strengthens the edges of thick materials. Sometimes, people call it a cable stitch or a crochet stitch, depending on the situation. It's often used as a decorative stitch to finish the edges of an unhemmed blanket. When you use the blanket stitch, it makes a thread outline along the edges, which can hide uneven edges and uneven cutting. Many find it easier to use for making evenly spaced stitches compared to the whip stitch. It's a great stitch for giving a neat and reinforced look to your fabric edges!
Herringbone Stitch: The herringbone stitch is a type of stitch used in embroidery, knitting, and crochet. It got its name because it looks like the bones of a herring fish. When you use the herringbone stitch in knitting, it makes a pattern that looks a lot like the herringbone design or cloth. It's a cool stitch that adds a unique touch to your needlework!
Lock Stitching: A lockstitch is the most common stitch made by sewing machines. When you see "single needle stitching" on a dress shirt label, it's talking about the lockstitch. This stitch is made by looping a thread on the bottom of the fabric over a thread pushed through from the top and then pulling both threads tight. Lockstitch is widely used for joining fabrics, like on collars, cuffs, pockets, sleeves, and facings. It's a basic but important stitch because when the sewing machine makes single stitches, the top and bottom threads "lock" together, keeping them securely in the fabric. It is of two types:
Interlock Stitching: Interlock stitching is a strong and stretchy type of stitch often used for sewing seams on knitted fabrics. It's a great choice for fabrics that need some flexibility. This stitching is usually done using a serger machine, which has multiple needles and threads to create loops that interlock. Here's how it works: First, you press the raw edge of one fabric toward the right side based on how wide you want the finished seam. Then, you press the raw edge of the other piece towards the wrong side by the same amount. Finally, you put the raw edge of each piece inside the fold of the other piece.
Overlocking Stitching: Overlocking stitching is a sewing trick used to tidy up the edges of fabrics. It's a type of lockstitch, which means the stitches lock together to stop them from unraveling. This is great for fabrics that tend to fray, like knits, wovens, and fleece. To do overlocking stitching, people usually use a special sewing machine called a serger. This machine has many needles and blades. The needles sew loops over the fabric's edge, and the blades trim off any extra fabric. This creates a strong and durable seam that won't unravel. It's like giving the edges of the fabric a neat and secure finish.
NoName uses all Stitching Styles of India in their Garments:
Noname, a clothing manufacturer in India, stands out for its unique Flexi MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), making it easier for customers to order the quantity they need. As a garment manufacturer in India, Noname is known for using all types of modern stitching styles, adding a touch of diversity to your clothing. From traditional to contemporary, they embrace a range of stitching techniques. Noname is not just a clothing manufacturer; it is your partner in success that prioritizes sustainable clothing. This means they focus on creating fashion in an eco-friendly way, considering the impact on the environment. With a commitment to flexibility, diverse stitching styles, and sustainability, Noname is making its mark in the world of Indian clothing manufacturing.
Conclusion: In the vibrant world of fashion, stitching emerges as a magical art, transforming fabrics into something extraordinary. From the ancient roots of bone needles to the evolution of steel ones, stitching has come a long way. In India, the tapestry of stitched clothing unfolds a rich history, blending traditional and modern styles. From the Running Stitch to the intricate Satin Stitch, each technique tells a story of craftsmanship.
Noname, a prominent clothing manufacturer in India, embraces this diversity by incorporating all types of stitching styles into their garments. Beyond being a garment manufacturer, Noname is an eco-conscious apparel brand, prioritizing sustainability in the fashion landscape. As we delve into the stitching styles of India, let's celebrate the artistry and innovation that make each piece unique.
Embark on a journey of style and sustainability with Noname! Explore our diverse range of garments that seamlessly blend traditional Indian stitching styles with contemporary flair. Join us in promoting eco-friendly fashion by choosing Noname, where every stitch tells a story of craftsmanship and care. Discover the magic of stitching with Noname – where tradition meets innovation in every garment.
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