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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has backstitched
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have backstitched
  perfect
• is backstitching
  progressive 3rd person singular
• backstitching
  participle
• has been backstitching
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am backstitching
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been backstitching
  perfect progressive
• backstitches
  singular 3rd person
• are backstitching
  progressive

Past

• had backstitched
  perfect
• backstitched
  simple
• backstitched
  participle
• were backstitching
  progressive plural
• was backstitching
  progressive singular
• had been backstitching
  perfect progressive

Future

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

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 material to be sewn was held in clamps which moved it forward between the pincers to form a running stitch or moved it alternately backward and forward to produce a backstitch.

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

Combination stitch consists of three little running stitches and a backstitch over the last running stitch.

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

An infant's slips quilted with a single tiny backstitch in a regular design of interlaced squares, stars, and rounds.

From Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Earle, Alice Morse