List of sewing stitches

This is a list of stitches used in hand and machine sewing. The most common standard for stitches in the apparel industry is ASTM International ASTM D6193-16(2020) The standard  also covers various types of seams.

Under this classification of stitches there are basic groups as follows:
 * Class 100 - Single Thread Chainstitch
 * Class 200 - Hand Stitches
 * Class 300 - Lock Stitch
 * Class 400 - Multi-thread Chain Stitch
 * Class 500 - Over-edge Chain Stitch
 * Class 600 - Covering Chain Stitch

Examples of machine stitches

 * Chain stitch
 * Lockstitch
 * Zigzag stitch
 * Running stitch
 * Back stitch
 * Satin stitch
 * Overlock stitch

Types of hand stitches

 * Back tack – backward stitch to anchor tacking or basting
 * Backstitch – sturdy hand stitch for seams and decoration
 * Basting stitch (US) – for reinforcement or for temporarily holding fabric in place (same as tacking stitch)
 * Blanket stitch – used to finish an unhemmed blanket
 * Blind stitch (or hemstitch) – type of slip stitch used for inconspicuous hem
 * Buttonhole stitch – for reinforcing buttonholes and preventing cut fabric from raveling
 * Chain stitch – hand or machine stitch for seams or decoration
 * Cross-stitch – usually used for decoration, but may also be used for seams
 * Catch stitch (also 'flat' and 'blind' -catch stitch) – flat looped stitch used in hemming
 * Darning stitch – for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric or knitting
 * Embroidery stitch – one or more stitches forming a figure of recognizable appearance
 * Hemstitch (Hemming stitch) – decorative technique for embellishing the hem of clothing or household linens
 * Overcast stitch – used to enclose a raw, or unfinished, seam or edge
 * Pad stitch – secures two or more layers of fabric together and provide firmness
 * Pick stitch – hand stitch that catches only a few threads on the wrong side of the fabric, difficult to produce nicely so typically used for hemming high quality garments
 * Running stitch – hand stitch for seams and gathering
 * Saddle stitch - alternating running stitches
 * Sailmaker's stitch – may refer to any of the hand stitches used for stitching canvas sails, including the flat stitch, round stitch, baseball stitch, herringbone stitch.
 * Slip stitch – form of blind stitch for fastening two pieces of fabric together from the right side without the thread showing
 * Stoating – used to join two pieces of woven material, such that the resulting stitches are not visible from the right side of the cloth
 * Straight stitch – the basic stitch in hand-sewing and embroidery
 * Tacking stitch (UK, also baste or pin) – quick, temporary stitching intended to be removed
 * Tent stitch – diagonal embroidery stitch at a 45-degree angle
 * Topstitch – used on garment edges such as necklines and hems, helps facings stay in place and gives a crisp edge
 * Whipstitch – for protecting edges
 * Ladder stitch or mattress stitch – for invisibly closing seams from the outside, i.e. to close a pillow after being stuffed