backstitch

American  

[bak-stich] / ˈbækˌstɪtʃ /

noun

1. stitching or a stitch in which the thread is doubled back on the preceding stitch.

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verb (used with or without object)

backstitches, present (3rd person singular) backstitched, past participle, past backstitching present participle

1. to sew by backstitch.

backstitch British  

/ ˈbækˌstɪtʃ /

noun

1. a strong sewing stitch made by starting the next stitch at the middle or beginning of the preceding one

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verb

1. to sew using this stitch

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• backstitching
  present
• backstitched
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• backstitch
  simple
• backstitches
  simple
• have backstitched
  perfect
• has backstitched
  perfect
• am backstitching
  progressive
• are backstitching
  progressive
• is backstitching
  progressive
• have been backstitching
  perfect progressive
• has been backstitching
  perfect progressive

Past

• backstitched
  simple
• had backstitched
  perfect
• was backstitching
  progressive
• were backstitching
  progressive
• had been backstitching
  perfect progressive

Future

• will backstitch
  simple
• will have backstitched
  perfect
• will be backstitching
  progressive
• will have been backstitching
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of backstitch

First recorded in 1605–15; back ² + stitch ( def. )

Example Sentences

The attendees laughed, but after the joke faded, I noticed my mother looking around thoughtfully, working to understand the new backstitch in the family thread.

From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2020

A story persists that about 1818-1819 a machine that formed a backstitch, identical to the one used in hand sewing, was invented in Monkton, Vermont.

From The Invention of the Sewing Machine by Cooper, Grace Rogers

In this case the elastic tourniquet will stop the blood flow as effectively as the Heidenhain backstitch suture method, I think, Miss Merriman, and it will be much simpler.

From 'Smiles' A Rose of the Cumberlands by Taylor, H. Weston

The long forward stitch on the under side is three times the length of the backstitch on the upper side, and a space the length of the backstitch is left between the stitches.

From Handicraft for Girls A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics and Home Decoration and Care by McGlauflin, Idabelle

So Nanny learned to "overhand," And "hem" so fine and neat, To "backstitch," "run," and many a join That she could scarce repeat.

From Mother Truth's Melodies Common Sense For Children by Miller, Mrs. E. P.