When you are following sewing patterns, you may come across the instruction to stay-stitch an edge (often a curved neckline is stay-stitched), but what on earth does that mean? We are here to help!
STAY-STITCHING: Put super simply it is stitching around the edge of pattern pieces to prevent it from stretching out or distorting as you handle them to pin and stitch.
How to do it:
- Prior to pinning, basting, and permanent stitching, identify the areas which require extra handling that should be stay-stitched (identified as per your pattern instructions).
- Note you are not joining any pattern pieces together, you’ll be stitching on just one layer of fabric.
- Adjust your machine to your standard straight stitch settings (the stitch does not need to be shorter or longer than normal).
- Stitch direction should be in the direction of the fabric grain (see the image below).
- Stitch 3mm away from the seam line inside your seam allowance (eg: if your pattern’s seam allowance is 1.5cm, stay-stitch at 1.2cm).
