TM 10-8340-243-13&P
0012
6. Hand stitches. There are five common hand stitches used to mend fabric in different situations.
Choose the one that most closely resembles the repair you are making.
a. Flat Stitch (Figure 3, Item 1). This stitch is used as a temporary fastening until machine repairs
can be made. Pass the needle over and under an equal amount of material, each successive
entering the material from the opposite side.
b. Round Stitch (Figure 3, Item 2). This stitch is used to hand-work grommets. Insert the materials
at right angles to the edge of material and bring cord around edge before making the next stitch.
c.
Overcast Stitch (Figure 3, Item 3). This stitch is used to apply a hand-sewn patch. Insert the
needle through the material at an angle so that it comes out to one side and ahead of the point of
insertion, and bring the cord over to the original line of insertion before making the next stitch.
d. Backstitch (Figure 3, Item 4). This stitch is used to secure an open seam. It is so named because
the needle is always set back one half of a stitch length into the last stitch made. Make two small
stitches in the same place to secure the cord ends. Continue by inserting the needle into the
middle of the preceding stitch and bringing it out on the same side of the material one stitch
length in advance of the preceding stitch.
e. Fishbone Stitch (Figure 3, Item 5). This stitch is used to join edges of a tear until a patch can be
applied. Insert needle between two edges of material to be sewn together. Take a diagonal stitch
from one side toward the other, bringing the needle out between the two edges. Repeat this
operation on the opposite side, and continue alternating stitches from side to side. To keep the
stitches uniform, hold the edges smoothly together. Make stitches firmly, but do not pull them tight
enough to pucker the fabric.
3
2
1
5
4
END OF TASK
