Hand sewing is a tool every great seamstress needs. It is used mostly for repairs but also comes in handy to sew on collars and buttons, for example. Hand sewing also allows you to hide your stitching. I will show a basic hand-sewn stitch and a hidden stitch demonstrated on a pair of torn jeans in need of mending.
What you will need:
Hand Sewing Needle
Thread
Scissors
Running Stitch
To begin, unroll a long piece of thread. Estimate how much thread you will need, and double that, then cut it. Thread the needle with one end of your thread. Fold the thread in half until it meets the other loose end, then tie a knot.
To start sewing, pierce your fabric from the top with the needle, and pull all the way to the end until the knot is tight on the fabric. From underneath, pierce through the fabric again, and pull from the top until the thread is tight. Continue this pattern.
When finished, bring your needle to the base of the thread. Wrap the needle tightly around the thread a few times, then pull the needle through the loops to create a knot.
The Back Stitch
Thread the needle as demonstrated above.
Determine how long you want your stitches to be. For example, I will use about a half-inch. Once you've decided, start that length away from the edge of where you want to begin your stitch.
A centimeter away from the edge, pierce the needle from the bottom, coming out at the top and pulling tight.
From the top position, pierce it back down to the bottom, at the edge of your fabric.
Pass your first sitch, then go a half-inch from the ending of your last stitch and pierce your needle back to the top. Just remember down and around.
Continue until finished and end the same way as your basic stitch.
Kowing how to effectively Hand sew will bring your sewing skills to the next level.