What is top stitching
Top stitching is a finishing stitch. It helps the sewn edges of fabric to look crisp and keeps fabric laying flat. Top stitching can be decorative or just a straight stitch. This is used on clothing, upholstery, and quilts among other things. Top stitching prevents fabric from bunching up or moving around too much.
How to top stitch
The first thing you need to do to have a finished looking project is to iron your project as flat as you can. If there is a seam on the edge of the fabric, make sure the seam allowance is laying flat and even. The goal of top stitching is to keep you fabric in place so the project looks nice and doesn’t move out of place, so if your fabric doesn’t look nice before starting, top stitching will make it worse. Top stitching is typically done 1/4″ away from the edge of the fabric, but if you are doing a smaller project, or just don’t like the look of the stitching for your project, you can do it 1/8″ instead. Line up your needle at the distance you choose and sew. Because this is a highly visible stitch it is very important to keep your stitches very straight.
How to turn a corner while top stitching
If you have a right angle or corner in your project, the best way to make your project look professional is to mark 1/4″ away from the edge of your fabric. Once your needle meets that mark, stop with your needle in the project and make the turn, then continue sewing.
How to top stitch around a curve
Top stitching around a curve, like a neckline, can be really difficult. It’s important to sew in an even line, but the curve complicates things. While sewing around a curve, gently pull your fabric with the hand that is behind the needle with simultaneously pushing with the hand in front of the needle. Go slowly and keep the pressure between your hands even or your machine stitches will turn out wrong.
