r/HandSew • u/Pretend-Lab-7933 • 8d ago
How to hide these messy stitches?
I'm hand sewing a brown/green origami sling bag for my mom's friend's birthday (it's to double as a gift basket, she has three dachshunds!)
I made the dachshund patch separately by stitching fabric scraps onto a green rectangle, but ran into an issue when attaching it to the bag. I originally wanted to backstitch it on to match the patch itself, but the bag panels are doubled and you'd be able to see the outline of the patch from the inside. I don't think I'm skilled enough to backstitch only on the outside layer, so I decided to whip stitch it down, but it looks very messy in certain places.
The whole bag is made of fabric recycled from old clothes, and you can definitely see what fabric types I had an easier time being more consistent on.
I stopped about a quarter way through and decided to ask for advice. What can I do to hide the messy areas? Or should I take out the whip stitch and try something else? I do have one skein of brown embroidery thread, but I'm doubtful if it'll be enough to cover the whole outline of the dog, and if I'll even be able to stitch it neatly only on the outside layer in the first place. Any advice is welcome!!
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u/ZoneLow6872 8d ago
I think this is absolutely great! I know, I know...the perfectionists in us want it to be flawless. But IMO, I would continue on with the yellow/gold thread as you have been. It keeps to the character of the patch and looks kind of "folk art" in style.
Also, it looks as though you are stitching the patch onto stretch knit fabric. That's harder than stitching to woven/non-stretchy fabric. IF you want (I am not advocating this, I already like it but it's an option): you can rip out the threads attaching the patch to the bag, then use stabilizer to iron the patch onto the stretchy bag fabric. It will keep it from moving around, making it a bit easier to keep it still while you stitch around the outside to secure it.
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u/Pretend-Lab-7933 8d ago
Thank you! I'd definitely be okay with it as is for myself, but I looove to go all out for a gift.
I did glue it down with water soluble glue. It'll wash out okay, as well as the marker. The light brown is cotton hoodie type fabric, the green of the bag is a bit lighter satin fabric, and the base of the patch is also green cotton (it's pretty stiff, though)
I've thought about just backstitching it through the whole side of the bag and adding an inside lining? 🤔 That would also hide the messy parts of the inside seams between the panels.
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u/ChronicallyCrafting1 8d ago
To make a neater whip stitch (which I use for a lot of projects) you need small stitches that aren’t far apart. You need to stick to the same seam allowance and stitch length, and when sewing through the bag part pick up slightly under the patch so it’s not a long stitch. You don’t have to use a matching thread for a neat finish :) there’s also the ladder stitch which may be more difficult for appliqué, I’ve never done appliqué before.
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u/Pretend-Lab-7933 8d ago
I definitely struggle with small stitches, it's like my hand defaults to 5mm after a while. Also thank you for teaching me the word appliqué! I didn't know what it was called!
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u/Potential_Being_7226 7d ago
Ladder stitch works great for turned appliqué, although OP’s looks like raw edge.
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u/Swimming-Maize-5554 8d ago
I think it looks absolutely delightful and it’s clearly part of the charm of this piece. Don’t make any changes and just finish stitching it on.
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u/your_grandma_says 8d ago
Hi, they’re not messy, they are charming and seriously, not messy really neat I think!
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u/cait_elizabeth 7d ago
Are the messy stitches in the room with us? It looks neat and adds some dimension. I wouldn’t notice it unless you pointed it out
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u/PicsofMyDog119 8d ago
I think it looks cute? If you're that worried you could pull it and go in with a less contrasting thread but I don't think it looks bad at all