Types of Sewing Stitches
This is by no means a full list of stitches! Just some of the most common ones.
Backstitch: A stitch used to secure the stitch at the beginning and end of a seam. Stitching 2 to 4 stitches forward, 2- 4 stitches back and then proceed with your seam. This secures the seam and ensure it does not pull apart during piecing or quilting of quilt. Some machines have an automatic locking stitch, which can be used instead of backing stitching.
Also a hand embroidery stitch.
Backstitch loop knot: Used in hand piecing to end a line of sewing. Can be made with one or two loops.
Basting stitch: A large, loose stitch used to hold together layers of fabric or fabric and batting. Basting stitches are usually removed after the layers are permanently joined.
Big stitch (or Utility Stitch): A large, evenly-spaced hand quilting stitch used to create a folk art appearance.
Blanket stitch: A decorative machine or hand stitch used to outline or attach appliqué pieces. Also called buttonhole stitch.
Blind hemstitch: A machine stitch used to secure appliqué pieces for mock hand appliqué. The machine takes two or three straight stitches, then a zigzag stitch.
Buttonhole stitch: See "Blanket stitch."
Chain stitch: An embroidery stitch that appears to be a series of chain links.
Channel stitching: Parallel rows of straight-line quilting going in one direction across a quilt top.
Chenille needle: A long, oval-eye needle used for heavyweight thread, embroidery, and tying quilts.
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Chevron stitch: A zigzag-type embroidery stitch used for decorative embellishment.
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Couching: A process of stitching thick threads, ribbons, beads, and other items to a quilt surface.
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Cross-stitch: A decorative embroidery stitch that appears as a series of Xs.
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Directional stitching: Sewing seams in a designated direction when piecing to prevent puckering. Commonly used in sewing diamonds and other centre-intersecting blocks.
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Embroidery: A type of embellishment or stitchery that can be created by hand or machine using a variety of threads.
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Featherstitch: A decorative embroidery stitch.
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French knot: A decorative embroidery stitch formed by wrapping thread around the needle.
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Gathering stitch: A long running stitch that can be pulled to draw up the fabric.
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Herringbone stitch: A decorative embroidery stitch.
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Lazy daisy stitch: A decorative embroidery stitch often combined to create a flowerlike design.
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Lockstitch: The stitch created by a sewing machine consisting of several very short stitches which serve the same purpose as a knot or back stitching.
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Meandering stitch: All-over quilting pattern characterized by a series of large, loosely curved lines that usually do not cross over one another.
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Running stitch: A series of in and out stitches used in piecing, quilting, and embellishing.
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Satin stitch: A compact zigzag stitch often used around appliqué pieces to enclose raw edges and attach the appliqués to a foundation fabric.
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Serpentine stitch: A wavy-line stitch sometimes used in quilting.
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Slip stitches: Small hand stitches used to secure binding to quilt backing.
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Stab stitch: A quilting stitch in which the needle and thread are pushed (stabbed) to the back and up again in separate movements.
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Star stitch: A decorative embroidery stitch.
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Stem stitch: An embroidery stitch frequently used to outline objects.
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Tack stitch: A hand stitch used to secure appliqué pieces to a foundation.
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Topstitch: A machine straight stitch typically done on the right side of a project close to a seam.
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Tufting: See "Tying."
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Tying: Taking a stitch through all three layers of the quilt and knotting it on the quilt surface. Tying creates a loftier quilt. Also called tufting.
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Utility stitch: See "Big stitch."
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Whipstitches: Small hand stitches used to join two finished edges, such as in English paper piecing.
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Zigzag stitch: A side-to-side stitch that can be used for machine appliqué. It can be shortened and very closely spaced to create a satin stitch.