What Is an Overhand Seam?

An overhand stitch is a type of primitive hand seam involving two edges of fabrics that are kept together, and the needle is passed over their edges back and forth till the sewing is done. It is most commonly done for seams and garments and used as an ornamental lace at the level. The outcome is a dimension matching and often an invisible fuse when the seam is pulled further.

Why Use an Overhand Seam?

Discreetness

Overhand seams are simpler and less bulky and can provide a more finished look on sheer or lightweight fabrics without the visual interruption of more complicated seams.

Flexibility

This type of seam allows for slight stretches, which is beneficial in fabrics that require both tightness and a bit of give.

Simplicity

It involves basic tools—just a needle and thread, making it accessible and easy to perform without special equipment.

How to Sew an Overhand Seam?

Follow these simple steps to sew an overhand seam:

Prepare the Fabric

Align the fabric edges you want to sew together and proceed if they are folded or unfolded.

Thread the Needle

Use the thread that matches the cloth in color. Double the thread for extra strength and make a knot at the end.

Go Stitching

Start by going down to the end of the fabric, then bring the needle back through the two layers. The thread should be pulled through until it’s stuck up by the knot.

Continue Stitching

To prevent loss in the future, tighten and hold the fabric edge with the first stitch. Consequently, this is the reason for continuing successive short sewing actions. The rapid and consistent sewing of the stitches is directly proportional to the ace of a seam.

Finish Off

After stitching to the end of the cloth, make a small knot to fasten the thread and cut off any remaining thread.

When Should You Choose Overhand Seams Over Other Types?

Overhand stitches are perfect when making:

- Delicate see-through materials, complex boundaries, or other fabric parts where other seams might seem too dense, inevitable, or visible.
- Seaming the fraying fabric edges of things known to fray and prevent further fraying.
- Undoubtedly, an overhand seam is the best type in hand sewing, especially when the costume needs to be historically accurate or when no sewing machine is available.

How to Fix Mistakes in Overhand Seams

If you find an issue with your seam:

Uneven Stitches

Remove the threads carefully using a ripper and redo the stitching, focusing on the stitch’s size.

Loose Stitching

If the stitches are just a bit too loose, but even, in this case, you can strengthen them by stitching a second parallel line along the first one.

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Overhand seam