Backstitching

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A sewing technique that reinforces seams by making stitches backward into previous stitches is often used for added durability and strength
2. This method involves the application of stitches in reverse to enhance the integrity of the join between pieces of fabric
3. A technique employed in sewing where stitches are made backward through existing ones to strengthen seams and improve durability

Etymology: Backstitching is a sewing technique in which each stitch is taken by inserting the needle a short distance behind the end of the previous one, so the thread doubles back over itself and forms a continuous, very strong line. The name is about as literal as English gets: "back" describes the direction the needle travels, and "stitch" is the loop of thread pulled through the cloth. The technique is commonly used where seams must bear strain, such as in garments that are pulled and worn hard. The noun comes from the compound "backstitch," formed from "back" and "stitch." Its form shows the technique's logic: the sewer works in reverse, stitching back toward the start of the seam rather than always moving forward, and that reversal is what locks each segment to the next.

Synonyms: stitching, sewing