Grade 4 Home Science Clothing โ Stitches Used On Clothes And Household Articles Notes
Home Science โ Clothing
Subtopic: Stitches Used on Clothes and Household Articles
These notes explain simple stitches you can use to fix clothes and household items like pillowcases, curtains and school uniforms. They are for students aged about 9 years in Kenya. Use an adult to help when using needles and scissors.
What you need
- Needle ๐ชก
- Thread (match cloth colour) ๐งต
- Scissors โ๏ธ
- Buttons and pins ๐งท
- Ruler or tape measure
Safety tips
- Always work in bright light.
- Keep needles and pins in a safe box when not in use.
- Do not run with needles. Sit down when sewing.
- Ask an adult if the cloth or thread is hard to sew.
Common stitches (easy to learn)
1) Running stitch โ easy and quick for seams and small repairs.
Use: joining two pieces of cloth, simple hems.
How to do it:
Use: joining two pieces of cloth, simple hems.
How to do it:
- Push the needle through from under, pull the thread, then push down a little distance and pull up again.
- Repeat along the line. Make small even stitches.
โข โ โข โ โข โ โข
2) Backstitch โ stronger than running stitch. Good for seams that need strength.
Use: sewing uniform seams, mending a tear where cloth moves a lot.
How to do it:
Use: sewing uniform seams, mending a tear where cloth moves a lot.
How to do it:
- Bring needle up a little ahead.
- Push needle back into the end of the last stitch, then forward again a little further.
โขโโขโโขโโขโโข
3) Whipstitch โ stitches around edges to stop fraying.
Use: joining two raw edges (e.g., blanket edge, torn edge).
How to do it:
Use: joining two raw edges (e.g., blanket edge, torn edge).
How to do it:
- Insert needle from back to front near the edge, then around the edge again and repeat.
/ / / /
4) Blanket stitch โ decorative edge stitch that also stops fraying.
Use: edge of blankets, pillowcases and tablecloths.
How to do it:
Use: edge of blankets, pillowcases and tablecloths.
How to do it:
- Make a loop of thread on the edge and bring needle through the loop each time.
โ โ โ
5) Overcast (overedge) stitch โ neat way to finish cut edges.
Use: stopping edges from fraying on towels, kitchen cloths.
How to do it:
Use: stopping edges from fraying on towels, kitchen cloths.
How to do it:
- Take small stitches over the edge from one side to the other.
))))))))
6) Slip / Blind stitch โ hidden stitch used to sew hems without visible thread.
Use: fixing hems on dresses and curtains for neat look.
How to do it:
Use: fixing hems on dresses and curtains for neat look.
How to do it:
- Pick tiny catches of the folded hem and then the main cloth. The stitches are almost invisible.
โ โ โ โ
7) Buttonhole stitch โ makes the hole around a button strong and neat.
Use: around buttonholes on shirts and school uniforms.
How to do it:
Use: around buttonholes on shirts and school uniforms.
How to do it:
- Sew small close stitches around the cut hole. Each stitch loops under the thread for a neat edge.
[====]
8) Cross stitch โ decoration stitch that makes little X shapes.
Use: decorating pillowcases, school bags, and crafts.
How to do it:
Use: decorating pillowcases, school bags, and crafts.
How to do it:
- Make a diagonal stitch one way, then cross it with another diagonal to make an X.
X X X X X X
Quick practice activities (try these with an adult)
- Sew on a loose button using a few small stitches. Time: 10โ15 minutes.
- Mend a small tear with running stitch or backstitch. Time: 15โ20 minutes.
- Finish the raw edge of a torn towel with whipstitch or overcast stitch. Time: 20โ30 minutes.
Tip: Start with a large needle and thicker thread. It is easier to see. Keep your stitches even โ practice makes them neater!