Machine stitches

• Chain stitch
  Chain stitch
  Chain stitch is a sewing and embroidery technique in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. Chain stitch is an ancient craft - examples of surviving Chinese chain stitch embroidery worked in silk thread have been dated to the Warring States period...
  
  , made with one thread
• Lockstitch
  Lockstitch
  A lockstitch is the most common mechanical stitch made by a sewing machine. The term "single needle stitching", often found on dress shirt labels, refers to lockstitch.-Structure:...
  
  , made with two threads in any of these geometries:
• Straight stitch
• Zigzag stitch
  Zigzag stitch
  A zigzag stitch is variant geometry of the lockstitch. It is a back-and-forth stitch used where a straight stitch will not suffice, such as in reinforcing buttonholes, in stitching stretchable fabrics, and in temporarily joining two work pieces edge-to-edge....
  
   (including Blind stitch)
• Stretch stitch
• Overlock
  Overlock
  An overlock stitch sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming or seaming. Usually an overlock sewing machine will cut the edges of the cloth as they are fed through , though some are made without cutters...
  
  , made with one to four threads
• Coverstitch, made with two or four threads

Hand stitches

• back tack
• backstitch
  Backstitch
  Backstitch or back stitch and its variants stem stitch, outline stitch and split stitch are a class of embroidery and sewing stitches in which individual stitches are made backward to the general direction of sewing...
  
   - a sturdy hand stitch for seams and decoration
• basting stitch
  Tack (sewing)
  In sewing, to tack or baste is to make quick, temporary stitching intended to be removed. Tacking is used in a variety of ways:* To temporarily hold a seam or trim in place until it can be permanently sewn, usually with a long running stitch made by hand or machine called a tacking stitch or...
  
   (or tacking) - for reinforcement
• blanket stitch
  Blanket stitch
  The blanket stitch is a stitch used to reinforce the edge of thick materials. Depending on circumstances, it may also be called a whip stitch or a crochet stitch. It is defined as "A decorative stitch used to finish an unhemmed blanket...
  
   - used to finish an unhemmed blanket
• blind stitch (or hemstitch
  Hemstitch
  Hemstitch or hem-stitch is a decorative drawn thread work or openwork hand-sewing technique for embellishing the hem of clothing or household linens...
  
  ) - a type of slip stitch used for inconspicuous hems
• buttonhole stitch
  Buttonhole stitch
  Buttonhole stitch and the related blanket stitch are hand-sewing stitches used in tailoring, embroidery, and needle lace-making.Holy Buttons stitches catch a loop of the thread on the surface of the fabric and needle is returned to the back of the fabric at a right angle to the original start of...
  
   - for reinforcing buttonholes and preventing cut fabric from raveling
• chain stitch
  Chain stitch
  Chain stitch is a sewing and embroidery technique in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. Chain stitch is an ancient craft - examples of surviving Chinese chain stitch embroidery worked in silk thread have been dated to the Warring States period...
  
   - hand or machine stitch for seams or decoration
• cross-stitch
  Cross stitches
  Cross stitches in embroidery, needlepoint, and other forms of needlework include a number of related stitches in which the thread is sewn in an x or + shape...
  
   - usually used for decoration, but may also be used for seams
• catch stitch (also 'flat' & 'blind' -catch stitch)
• cross-stitch tack
• darning stitch
  Darning
  Darning is a sewing technique for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric or knitting using needle and thread alone. It is often done by hand, but it is also possible to darn with a sewing machine...
  
   - for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric or knitting
• embroidery stitch
  Embroidery stitch
  In everyday language, a stitch in the context of embroidery or hand-sewing is defined as the movement of the embroidery needle from the backside of the fabric to the front side and back to the back side. The thread stroke on the front side produced by this is also called stitch...
  
   - one or more stitches forming a figure of recognizable look
• hemming stitch
• overcast stitch
• pad stitch
  Pad stitch
  Pad stitches are a type of running stitch made by placing small stitches perpendicular to the line of stitching. Pad stitches secure two or more layers of fabric together and give the layers more firmness; smaller and denser stitches create more firmness...
  
   - secures two or more layers of fabric together and provide firmness
• running stitch
  Running stitch
  The running stitch or straight stitch is the basic stitch in hand-sewing and embroidery, on which all other forms of sewing are based. The stitch is worked by passing the needle in and out of the fabric...
  
   - a hand stitch for seams and gathering
• sailmakers stitch
• slip stitch - a hand stitch for fastening two pieces of fabric together from the right side without the thread showing
• tent stitch
  Tent stitch
  Tent stitch is a small, diagonal embroidery stitch that crosses over the intersection of one horizontal and one vertical thread of needlepoint canvas forming a slanted stitch at a 45-degree angle. It is also known as Needlepoint stitch and is one of the most basic and versatile stitches used in...
  
   - diagonal embroidery stitch at a 45-degree angle
• topstitch
  Topstitch
  Topstitching is a sewing technique. It is used most often on garment edges such as necklines and hems, where it helps facings to stay in place and gives a crisp edge. Decorative topstitching is designed to show, and may be done in a fancy thread or with a special type of stitch...
  
   - used on garment edges such as necklines and hems, helps facings stay in place and gives a crisp edge
• whipstitch - for protecting edges