WHAT IS STAYSTITCHING? And why you don’t want to skip this crucial step in sewing!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Do you skip stay stitching??😅 Or are you going to do it all the time now? If you like this video, you'll love what I have at Vintage Sewing School...come join me and up-level your sewing! www.vintagesewingschool.com/

[@adamreynolds9816]

Evelyn Wood no I don’t, not anymore but I love the level up step, I hate removing it , so I don’t I just leave it in a cut it when I notch the curves. But now I’m going to try this new technique!

[@ambrosiacouturesydneyaustr2022]

I Have always done it..learned the right way and never skip important steps. Stay stitch doesnt really need to be removed unless it shows.

[@deannastevens1217]

Wonderful. I have before... and yes it just mucks things up. Thank you for such a great video,

[@susanrussell8195]

I’m making my daughter a raglan t-shirt. I put in the stretch collar and it was terrible because it wasn’t even. When I took the collar off, the neck was all stretched out. I’ve been delaying the redo. (I washed it to help reshape the neck.) Yesterday I admitted to my sewing friend that I had put off finishing the shirt because of the collar. She suggested I stay-stitch. I slapped my forehead because it was so obvious. Later I saw your video. I wondered if it was necessary for knits. Yes, it is.

[@johnbradley7457]

All the time! Making my wife a dress and see how it will be smooth and professional because of a simple technique.

[@lilibetp]

I tried to skip stay-stitching once on a nightgown when I was a teen and my Mom SCREAMED at me like I'd just tried to stick my finger in a power outlet, then pretty much did what you did in the video with the two examples. I haven't skipped it since then.

[@naomim651]

😂

[@Zyswest]

dang i don’t think that was necessary lmao, i’m sorry you got screamed at 😢 but thank you for this illustrious comment, i think i will remember it too.

[@annie4424]

When I first started sewing, I was always frustrated that my neckline facings and collars never matched my neckline. Then I decided to not skip a single step in the instructions-including the stay stitching-and suddenly everything matched up beautifully. 😆

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😂😂😂 Brienne we all learn the hard way!

[@teresas.3979]

Same here. I would then steam the fabric to get it to shrink up a bit. My mom saw me doing this and mentioned the stay stitching prevents the neckline from stretching.😋 Lesson learned.

[@ellacedric2928]

😂😂😂 Same thing happened to me. Before I figured out how to stay stitch my collars were always off by a little bit. a huge lifesaver!!

[@gourmetwithavi6484]

I still face the same so I'll start now😝

[@JojoAde]

Can this be used on the waist for a waist band?

[@Pureconception]

I can truly appreciate this video. I am breaking into my first vintage pattern and I read the definition of stay stitching and I was like “my heart wants me to skip this step, but my mind is telling me to search KZbin for why this is necessary “ then you popped up like the sewing fairy godmother I never knew I needed 💝

[@michelelommasson5970]

I have been a stay-stitcher from the very beginning, and a directional stay-stitcher at that. I didn’t know much when I started, just the few things my busy mother suggested. Therefore, I did what the pattern told me to do; I figured there was a reason the instructions were there. I also looked everything up in my mother’s Singer sewing book. I still refer to it from time to time. To this day, I love reading through instructions, even if I decide to go a different route than suggested by the directions. There is always something new and improving to learn! Thank you, Evelyn, for you cheerful, instructional video!

[@judyjennings-gunther4022]

You are so good at describing things and explaining why you do things.

[@carita74497]

Always start the day by watching any of your videos,Your lovely personality cheers up every day. And what you teach is highly valued.

[@tammyjohnson8150]

I am a new sewer. I’m now working on my first project. A pair of flannel pajama pants for my boyfriend. I have watched many videos and taken notes so that I can do a good job. I enjoy the knowledge that I get from watching your videos especially as I like how you explain things fully. You’re a good teacher. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@nancyhurt7145]

I’m on a marathon rewatching all of your videos over the holidays! This one in particular hits close to home. In earlier years I skipped this step. My thought process was easy. Why stitch now when I’m going to be stitching it in a few minutes with the facing? No need to do this extra step, Nancy! My collars never fit just right nor the facings or bands, but I finagled the fabric until it sort of fit😬. Now in my 70’s and all of these marvelous teaching videos available, I call myself a real seamstress. I am so appreciative for all of you that give so freely to teach the world to sew and enjoy the journey. My prayers lift you up daily, Evelyn.❤️

[@jirup]

Stay stitching is like hand basting. I skipped it when I first began sewing, but now I would never skip the step. A few extra minutes produces a much better finished garment.

[@shadowjewel]

This reminds me of when historical costumers (Bernadette Banner in particular) will thread mark (I think) their sewing lines with a quick running/basting stitch.... I think it''s before they cut the fabric? I know one reason for this is for visibility and to keep the lines as chalk wears off easily, and it allows the line to be visible on both sides of the fabric, but looking at this I wonder if this also served as a form of stay stitching. On that note, I wonder of stay stitching would be more effective, if more cumbersome, to do before cutting, or at least before cutting fabric right next to where the stay stitching is needed most, like the neck hole.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Good question! I think if your doing it by hand like you suggest, then yes, it may be easier and more beneficial to before cutting. Particularly if your using patterns without seam allowance on them, as your stay stitch would serve as your stitchline guide for sewing and cutting seam allowances!

[@sorestedhebytheTumtumtree]

@@Evelyn__Wood Great idea..I'm sewing by hand and I'm thinking it would be more convenient to stay stitch before cutting. This is my first time sewing a blouse so I was watching your video about mistakes with facings coz I realized I don't know how to attach them! That's where I learned the existence of stay stiching.

[@orlyncrochet]

New sewer here thank you all your videos are helping me learning it

[@alyssafroman4459]

This couldn't have come at a better time. I never stay-stitched before, but now I'm working with a very shifty brocade and didn't know how to handle it. I think this will help. Thank you!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Wonderful! Let me know how you find using it!!

[@valentinayepesmontes74]

Thank you Evelyn! I used to look for 20 sec videos and get frustrated for not getting the results I wanted. But you explain things so clearly that I stay for the whole video and find myself learning so much. Thank you. I have improved my understanding so so much. I also love your style and personality. Wishing you all the love and support in your cancer journey, you got this and thank you❤️❤️

[@gojoxsanzo]

Thank you so much! I am a beginner and doing my first blouse, and the book tells me to do stay stitching first and the colar and sleeves opening, and I was like "what the hell is stay stitching?" So you video came just at the right time and helped me sooooo much. I love how you explain things it is always so easy to understand ^_^ Thanks a lot again.

[@lizziedae91]

Im really glad I found this channel. I don’t do much garment sewing yet but these techniques will still be helpful for sewing handbags and other projects.

[@Luke2128]

Great video. I have learned so much from you, thank you! I have never skipped that step, but never understood it and I would always wonder if I was supposed to take it out or not. I don't recall the patterns telling me, "Now remove the stay stitching." I did remove it sometimes when it seemed to show through...but since it was called stay stitching...I assumed it was supposed to stay. LOL

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ha ha ha right!! Confusing much! Now you know you were on the right track!

[@donovanwagner2692]

Omg!!! I’ve been so baffled by this… 😣 I honestly was getting infuriated why there was always a ‘mistake in the pattern’ because it didn’t tell me when it was time to undo the stay stitching… 😅😅 since watching this video a year ago, I have always stay stitched because it made so much sense to hold things in place while sewing. Then I’ve always just picked a good time when I thought that I no longer needed it holding things together and removed it!! 😋 but now that I finally revisited this video and re-read the instructions on the patterns (1.5cm seam allowance and stay stitch at 13mm from raw edge), I totally now get that the stay stitching is supposed to stay in for added support ☺️👍 I feel like whenever I’m struggling with anything, I just watch your videos (even if I have your channel just playing in the background) and everything just falls into place like your guiding me with you angelic goddess magic. 💗🥰

[@rachelmaloney3863]

Thank you so much for a great clear explanation with examples!

[@1forstars]

Hi, thank you for the tutorial and excellent demonstration of what a difference stay stitching makes! I am enjoying your page and your tutorials as I get back into sewing.

[@melissademarcus1019]

I WAS a skipper but not anymore... I'm so glad I found your vids!

[@anndunkerley6639]

Thank you for this really helpful video Evelyn. I am about to sew the bodice for only my second dress and decided to stay stitch in keeping with the instructions. Watching your video means that I actually know what I’m doing 🤷‍♀️

[@Jokiespookie]

OMG! This makes so much sense. Thank you so much! I bet the necklines on my garments will turn out so much better now.

[@lindalardner3745]

After 16 years I have begun sewing garments again and yes I am now older ,wiser, less impatient, more time available to me and have taken to stay stitching realising its value . Thanks for the class, I have subscribed .

[@janicegomes487]

I learning so many intricate and very important tips from your videos.Really didn't know what is staystitching... thanks a lot

[@marymenatti9175]

Got my machine when I was 12 (1969). One summer of lessons at Sears, and I quit. A month ago, I was given a machine. I fell in love with it (vintage 50s machine). You could use my first efforts as examples of how to go wrong. I’m improving with each garment (5 this month) and I intend to follow you as I mature.

[@MicheleBonna]

I have found that if I reduce the pressure of the presser foot I can keep stay stitching from stretching things out as I do the stitch. Much like marking the center on pieces, this step is often omitted in sewing directions for patterns, so I have been trying to create some sheets of basic steps to remember to do regardless of instructions because I forget to do it all the time.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Michele yes this is a great tip and could help info many situations! Thankyou for sharing it. I like the idea of making your own guides too, I recommend keeping a sewing journal to my students!

[@ClaudiaArnold]

I use either my serger or my coverstitch machine (whatever happens to be on the table) and set it to chainstich and the differential feed to a minimal gather. This way I compensate for any stretching that might happen while I stitch as well as for the fact that a chainstitch has a slight give to it. Unpicking is fun, you just shorten the needle thread at the end of the seam, pull the looper thread and the stitch line comes out. It is another use for these terribly expensive machines. When I have really delicate fabric and don't trust my heavy paws with it (I'm better with tweed and leather than with chiffon and light jerseys 🤭 ) I iron on a thin strip of fusible interfacing, clipping it as I go. So I don't need to handle the fabric at all.

[@mycats7321]

Since I haven't started sewing yet-- I'm still learning before I start-- I didn't know what staystitching was. So thank you!

[@trudywolcott7419]

I love, love ❤️❤️ your videos. Keep up the great work. You’re making us much better seamstresses.

[@christinahammond8954]

Thank you! I have been sewing for over 40 years (mainly self-taught), but I never knew to remove the stay stitching or how far to stitch from the edge, and it made it difficult to grades the seams of bulky fabrics. Recently I made a coat for my great niece, and I was wondering just why I needed to stay stitch. I always did it, but I would stitch about quarter inch away from the fabric and I never removed the stitches. You are a wonder :)

[@aliceallan4753]

I’m new❤️ I was going to skip stay stitching until I saw your video! Well looks like I’m doing stay stitching! Oh boy!

[@ImTash]

i adore your personality. you're so jolly and instantly snap me out of bad moods! Just about to tackle my first ever pair of trousers with a classic waistband. i detest waistbands they always seem to come up short. and i suspect this is likely down to not knowing i have to staystitch. so. thanks for this i'm making sure i include this step!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes Tash I think your right, stay stitching will solve your problem!

[@wifeoftim]

I have never staystich before but I'm going to now. If only I can manage those curves!

[@mj_dolman5122]

Evelyn I really appreciate your teaching style! I'm checking out the Vintage Sewing School. More than 30 years ago when I was a teenager I started sewing in Home Ec class. The few things I made didn't turn out as I imagined, and it seemed hopeless to follow pattern instructions without a lot of help. Later in my 30's I was paying to get a lot of clothes altered to look better on me because I'm petite. When the seamstress was busy and hired assistants, they did a couple of botched jobs, including putting a dip in the hip of a pair of pants where there should have been a curve! I was so peeved I started looking at all the alterations on my clothes and realizing I could do that myself, so I got my sewing machine. It's been used for nothing but alterations for years, until recently I found a kit to make a Kimono and became fascinated with how garments are put together. However, I find the majority of sewing tutorials on KZbin hard to follow. You explain the techniques so they make sense and I appreciate your perspective on how it is normal to struggle at fist when learning and make mistakes along the way.

[@maryalgar8779]

Great help. My Grade 8 Home Economics teacher didn't explain why it's important. I want to learn the proper way to sew, so thank you for this and all your other videos.

[@seemakazmi965]

I realised the value of stay stitch when I was working with velour!!! Thank you so much!

[@afiiik1]

Just yesterday I was sewing a 3/4 circle skirt with a yoke. I'm large, the skirt was heavy and I was SO glad that I remembered to stay stitch that skirt 😅

[@oneforchrist7446]

I stay stitch bcz pattern asked me to, however now I know why! thanks!

[@rennyjodhan459]

Thank you so much for that beautiful tips

[@rolemodelj7898]

great video, I never understood that direction on the patterns and you explained the benefits of it perfectly. Thank you.

[@lez85]

Thank you so much, such a good demonstration of how stay stitching is helpful!

[@jeanwestackroyd2966]

Oh so long ago Evelyn ! I am going to make alteration soon and had forgotten this, thanks for sharing.

[@pameladonkin1855]

I have completely forgotten about the importance of stay stitching. Ta for reminder

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

Thank you for the reminder! 70s was the last time I sewed to spec . Home Economics in high school, lol.

[@vidosavaterzic6302]

Great information thank you for evrithing you do.

[@annatucker3823]

I recently made a shirt with a lining and could not figure out for the life of me why the neckline ended up so baggy! Next time I won’t skip the stay stitching step. Thank you!

[@audreysavard3248]

Hum.. that may explain why the underwears I had done had deformation. Thanks to you.

[@cad21717]

Thank you💗 I always learn how to do something when you have a video on it 💗 Now I may not remember it, but at least I know where to go back to💗

[@turnsblue1]

Thank you for this video.. it explains my wonkie neckline!!

[@allysonmurray1731]

You're the best at teaching!

[@joellandry8407]

I have made my own shirts for years now and have never staystitched. Needless to say, I have fought the fine fight of all necklines and have just come to accept that "it is what it is". Next week I will sew up another dress shirt and I will attempt (for the first time) to use your method of staystitching on the neckline. It seems like such an insignificant task. However, I do see the difference on your garment and hopefully I will see the difference on mine also. Thank you very much for the tutorial. Joel

[@helenedesmarais8697]

BRAVO !!! You make your own shirts! and men's shirts are full of small detailled sewing, not an easy task. Keep on! 👍

[@miriamgladen9615]

From now on I will be a staysticher 😊

[@juliannesmoak3088]

Completely random, but I have a neck freckle in almost the exact same place... I do love your videos as well. :)

[@kendal4452]

Do you have to remove staystitching? Is there a certain width and length for Stay Stitching?

[@johannageisel5390]

Just subscribed to you. I really appreciate how I can learn all those little tricks that I don't know yet. I'll keep all of that in mind for my sewing.

[@icannotpretend5834]

I thought stay stitchin was basting. I had it all wrong. Many thanks!!

[@blairannewilliams3599]

All these stitching definitions are so helpful? Thank you.

[@meacadwell]

Many long times ago I was taught stay stitching should be done 1/8 inch closer to the fabric edge than the seam allowance. That way you aren't stitching your seam directly over the stay stitches - which is difficult to do perfectly. You don't have the bulk of 2 layers of thread - one from the stay stitching and one from the actual seam. And you don't have to go through the tedious-ness of removing the stay stitching which can, itself, cause fabric stretching.

[@gerrisuggett4212]

Great info. Thanks

[@Lilopad]

Got this recommended the day after finishing my first ever bodice - welp! at least I know what to do next time!

[@ghughutikandwal242]

No one ever told me that, can't thank you enough.

[@lucilledaub5991]

Do ou have a video on how you made your bracelet pin cushion ?

[@cupcakefox5026]

Your videos are very helpful to me because I don’t skip steps… but I do skip using patterns altogether 😂 So I don’t even know these steps exist

[@jean7888]

Do you stay stitch in a thread that blends with the fabric or is there value in doing it with a contrasting thread to make the unpicking easier?

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes a contrast thread can help with anything stitching you intend to remove later! Great observation 😀

[@johnbradley7457]

Wow. Good question.

[@joanarosadocoelho3637]

Thank you, Evelyn, for this amazing video. I guess you can do this with any type of fabric: woven, knits?

[@paulinemcleggan7585]

Brilliant video. If you haven’t stay stitched and your neck line is out of shape; can this be rectified?

[@bluemoon5766]

Thank you

[@rcpurnima]

Great tips from you. Your tips helped me a lot. You look so beautiful, like a Hollywood actress

[@JenniferDelilah]

I love the blouse you’re wearing in this video. Where did it come from?

[@HOODSSWEETIE]

Thanks so much.

[@redvelvetbeauty6709]

Do you have any videos about the machine feet? Or when to change the needles?

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Thanks SO MUCH! I love your personality and cheerfulness, and your great teaching method (concise AND thorough!). I'm at the end of my first major project, a cotton shift, and the pattern (c. 1960s?) just says "clip bodice neck edge to stay-stitching". Wish I'd known what stay-stitching was before I dragged this project around on car trips and in my backpack for the last two months. . . . Big thank you for probably saving me from the shame of messing it all up at the very last step. . . . Now I just have to figure out what they meant by "clip". . . . ??? Loving your channel!!

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

OH MAN, I just figured out the "clip" part! It doesn't mean "clip bodice neck edge to" as in "fasten it to," it means "snip the little V-shapes down towards" the stay-stitching! Thank the Lord!

[@obara7366]

Hello, in the video you said that more experienced sewers should so inside the margin of the seam allowance while beginners should be on the seam allowance directly. It feels like to me as a beginner, going inside the seam allowance gives more room for error. Could you explain why this is? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[@AM-sl3gv]

Thanks that was helpful..but what do we have to stay stitch?! of course no longer skipping 😣😣👍👍

[@elainefarnworth7970]

Hi Evelyn, I'm working on a neckline with a facing. Do you stay stitch the facing before ironing on the interfacing?. Thank you, Elaine. X

[@ericacarter9438]

Love it! So glad I discovered your lovely channel! And my daughter's name is also Evelyn;)

[@cynthiasloan3867]

I did skip it also when I was first sewing but not any more.

[@tammyjohnson8150]

Question, after I watched this video, I did start doing the stay stitching. But then I used my serger on the sleeves and it cut the stay stitching off! The sleeves were really daunting for me. But I did get them sewed in perfectly. So I decided not to rip out the seams to do the stay stitching again. Was this a bad idea? What do other people do when the serger cuts out their stay stitching? I suspect that this could happen again. So I would like to know how to handle it. Thanks🦋

[@TinaMerrieNewman]

One word to describe this video :: "ooooOOOOOOOOOOoooohhhhhhhh!!!"

[@Ione1916]

Then do you remove the staystitching before you actually sew the piece to another? Or just leave it in?

[@AA-gu4mw]

Guess I’ll have to keep practicing. I’ve ruined three potential dresses already because my necklines are all loose and don’t lie flat. This most recent time I took the time to stay stitch and it still came out awful. Hopefully I’ll get it right next time!

[@Trp44]

Thank you…Do you have a fix for the fragility of ribbon (fray) I have read nail polish, and glue… not working.

[@lucilledaub5991]

Sometimes I use stay stitching sometimes not. I thought it waste of time till I heard this video.

[@fionatavernier3490]

I have trouble with my bias binding getting saggy and not laying flat on the finished garment. Wondering if stay stitching might solve this problem too.

[@pollyd1534]

If stay stitching the waist of a skirt, would you do it before or after sewing the pieces together?

[@Sustaita.handmade]

I only find it necessary for certain fabrics. I usually cut and sew quickly soon after so I dont handle the fabric between before that.

[@Wendy-yu3hg]

stupid question 😅 do you remove stay stitching with a seam ripper before you're ready to sew something in more "officially"?

[@kimgjolly]

Thank you! I’ve actually never seen this term on a pattern until now and I had no clue what it meant, not in my manual or my sewing books! But….Why don’t they just call it pre-stitching or putting a stitch before actually sewing it together?

[@Thorn99855]

If you are working with a woven fabric that has a lot less stretch, is the stay-stitching still a good rule of thumb?

[@ngufanikojo6430]

Honestly, ignorance is bad. This little step is the answer to so many frustrations.

[@Samiam173]

So the stay stitching is done on all curves? And do you stitch outside of it when you sew or inside, then remove the stitching??? Thanks.

[@cindytaylor5466]

Do you need to do a zigzag stitch to stay stitch on a knit fabric neckline?

[@bethr1198]

If you are underlining a garment, would you still staystitch the outer fabric?

[@lei3591]

Is there a way of rescuing the neckline if its wavy because you did not made a staystitch before?

[@Trp44]

Hi again Does the Quality of thread vary? The thread I use is quite difficult 🐚

[@FloridasYesteryear]

If you are following a pattern will the pattern tell you to add it or is this one of those things they assume you know.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Good question! Most patterns will tell you to do it. But there are lots of cases where you can choose for yourself as you know you want to prevent stretching!

[@Gayle1661]

Love this video! Can staystitching be done by hand as well? If so, Apart from it perhaps taking longer would there be any disadvantage to stay stitching by hand?

[@Evelyn__Wood]

You can absolutley do by hand! You'll just have to make sure you get the tension right on the thread the most I think!

[@Gayle1661]

@@Evelyn__Wood thank you! 😊

[@vickidenouden3480]

Do I need to stay stitch around all pieces? What about at the hem?

[@sardurondesarges6675]

what stitch would i use if i handsew? Running stitch wont do the job right? So i use the backstitch here?

[@rambleonrose2993]

Could you also hold down the freshly stitched fabric just behind the presser foot and allow it to gather / bunch as you go, to keep it from getting wild? If you have a walking foot this may also be a great place to use it? If you are new to sewing or using a very sheer, or irreplaceable, fabric would it be okay to use a stabilizer in this case?

[@goopygonch]

one of the patterns im making doesn’t include this step and i was wondering why things were getting wonky 😅