How Do I Stop My Stitches from Unraveling?

We’ve all been there — the stitches begin to unravel on your favorite piece of clothing, and you worry that it might be time to retire it for good. Luckily, as long as you have a sewing machine, a few basic materials, and some know-how, you can fix this pesky problem and get back to enjoying your favorite garments stress-free.

How to Fix an Unraveling Seam 

There are a few ways to properly fix a seam that’s unraveling, but one of the best methods is with a backstitch. This means securing the seam in place and sewing along the ripped area until you reach the opposite end of the opening. Generally, you’ll want to backstitch a second time to make sure the seam is completely secure on both sides. 

Some sewers have seen success in this situation with a zigzag stitch along the original seam, which prevents the fabric from opening up any further. Backstitching is possible when sewing by hand, but many prefer to use a sewing machine for increased convenience if they have one available to them. 

Backstitching with a Sewing Machine

In addition to your trusty sewing machine, the materials you’ll need for the backstitching process are: 

• Thread
• Needle
• Thimble
• Pins
• Iron 

Start by turning the material inside out and applying your iron directly to the stitching that’s unraveling. This step makes the area much smoother and easier to work with. Then, you’ll rejoin the unraveled seam using pins while keeping the fabric as flat as possible. 

Move your fabric into your sewing machine and begin with a straight stitch on this existing seam just before it starts to unravel. Then, sew carefully along the unraveling section until you reach the other side, where the seam joins again. Do this twice to make sure the seam is completely secure. 

As we mentioned before, you may want to add a zigzag seam on top of your backstitches to prevent any future fraying or unraveling.

Lockstitching with a Sewing Machine 

Many sewing machine models have an included lockstitch option, which sews a predetermined number of stitches and then stops automatically. Refer to your sewing machine’s manual before attempting this, and make sure you only use this type of stitch to fix unraveling seams on sheer or drape-like materials. 

Have questions about your sewing machine? We can help! Contact GoldStar Tool today for more sewing tips and tricks.