How to End a Hand-Sewn Row

Finish stitches with a technique that adds strength to the stitch.

When completing a sewing project for the first time, you have several new skills to practice. From selecting your thread and following a pattern to sewing the piece together, a lot of work goes into the final piece. Ending a hand-sewn row when finishing a stitch, no matter where it is, is important to the strength of the finished project.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors

Instructions

1. Sew all the way to the end of the fabric, stitching the same way you stitched the beginning of the stitch.

2. Flip the fabric over, leaving the thread and needle in the fabric, and poke the needle into the end of the fabric at the back of the last stitch.

3. Stitch along the same line as your other stitches, for about 1 1/2 inches. This is called back-stitching, which strengthens the ends of your stitch so it doesn't easily pull out of the fabric.

4. Knot the end of the thread and cut away the excess with scissors.