Stitches

What kind of stitch do I use to hand sew a pillowcase?

I found a how to website, but it has several different techniques. I'm not sure if I should use a running stitch, or backstitch, or slipstitch, or catch stitch, or prickstitch, etc........I have never sewed anything before except buttons. I am a perfectionist and do not want to see the thread on the outside of the case. And I want it to last a long time.

Public Comments

1. http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/el_handstittch.html http://www.fiber-images.com/Free_Things/Reference_Charts/handsewing_stitches.htm http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa040905.htm http://www.perestroika.ca/html2/vest/handstitching.php
2. Use whatever stitch you are comfortable with and looks good on your project. Sewing should be very creative - just sew it with any stitch you want.
3. Hi: The Following books might interest you: An Encyclopedia of 101 Embroidery Stitches Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework Embroidery Stitches by M. E. Wilkinson - a very good book A-Z of Embroidery Stitches by Sue Gardner Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel by Marion Nichols - a execellent book for you to have The Complete Illustrated Stitch Encyclopedia by Crafter's Choice, BookSpan Staff - a very good book on the subject. However your stitching a pillow case the I would go with a hem stitch or chain stitch and turn the pillow case inside out to hide the stitch However any stitch will do you fine hope this helps.
4. The running stich is easiest. I would use the running stitch to hand-sew and piece together the pillow case. However, I would make the stitches a little small. Of course, you do this on the wrong side. Then I would suggest doing some decorative stitching on the outside. You could do a blanket or chain stitch along the opening edge. You could also incorporate a number of different stitch combinations to get the look you want, or even embroider an image.
5. A short backstitch will be the strongest. .
6. I suggest using a French seam. Do the the first half with running stitch with a single backstitch at the beginning of each new "needle-full". Do the second half, the portion which encloses *all* of the raw edges the previous step with tidy backstitch. For the "hem" on the open end, if you'll not be edging with lace use slipstitch. An alternative is to use a heavier thread and cover the edge with a tidy buttonhole stitch. The rationale for buttonhole stitch is that it can be replaced when worn through. A regular hem concentrates wear on the folded edge of the fabric, shortening the potential life of the item.