Hand Stitch Library
Taking a stitch: to take a stitch refers to putting your needle through the top of the fabric and back up through the fabric a small distance away before pulling the needle all the way through
Running Stitch
The running stitch is a basic construction stitch made by bringing thread above and below fabric at equal intervals. This stitch is strongest with a short stitch length, 1/16″ of an inch is appropriate, but for kids I recommend starting at 1/8″
Back Stitch
The back stitch is a strong construction stitch made by bringing thread backwards (towards the dominant hand) on the top of the fabric, then moving it two stitch lengths forward below the fabric, followed by repeating the backwards stitch on top. Below the fabric there will be stitches that cross paths. This stitch is strongest with a short stitch length, 1/16″ on the top is appropriate, but for kids I recommend starting at 1/8″
Ladder Stitch
The ladder stitch is a construction stitch used to invisibly connect folded edges of two pieces of fabric. It is made by bringing the thread through the folded edge and crossing the gap to go into the opposite folded edge, then bringing the thread back across the divide and repeating 1/16″ on the top is appropriate, but for kids I recommend starting at 1/8″