What is a straight stitch and how to sew it – good question! A straight stitch is the base stitch of all sewing. 
All stitches (on a machine) are really a variation of the a straight stitch. A straight stitch is really just the basic up and down stitch that looks like a dashed line. It’s the stitch that you’ll use 90% of the time when you sew. And is based on the way people used to sew their garments by hand. Because it is used so much it’s important that you know what a proper straight stitch looks like.
The length and tension needed for a straight stitch can vary depending a the fabric. But for beginner’s sake let’s say you’re sewing on a standard cotton. Your machine will have a standard tension and stitch length suggestion or setting that you’ll use.
When you sew a straight stitch on a machine – you will need to make sure that you “lock the stitch” meaning that when you begin to sew, you’ll sew a few stitches forward, then hit you backward button sew back ward over those stitches and then forward again over those same stitches and continue on with your seam. Some model now offer a “knot” feature to begin and end a seam with – it’s fast and quick but not every sewing machine has this feature. Plus I confess it’s so automatic for me now, even when sewing on a machine that has that feature I just lock the seam the way I mentioned earlier.
A good straight stitch in lies flat, is tight enough to hold the cloth in place, but no so tight that is pulls or gathers the cloth. When there’s trouble with a straight stitch, you need to double check your tension and how your machine is threaded.
More How to Sew Lessons:
- How to get started sewing with a sewing machine
- How to Unpick a Seam
- How to Make a Button Hole
- What are the parts to a Sewing Machine?
- What is a Basting Stitch?
- How to read a Sewing Pattern
- How to Make a Rolled Hem or a Baby Hem
- What to Look for a in a Good Sewing Machine
- What are the must have sewing tools?
- Traditional Sewing Pattern VS Digital
- How to Choose a Sewing Machine
- 5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Crafts and Fabric
- You can see all the How to Sew Lessons Here
Working With Different Fabrics:
- Coral Fleece Vs. Polar Fleece what is the difference?
- What is the Anatomy of Fabric?
- 7 Things you need to know about sewing with Minky Fabric
- How to Sew with Faux Fur
- Which Fleece is Which? Your Quick Start Guide to Fleece
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