hemstitch

[hem-stich]

verb (used with object)

to hem along a line from which threads have been drawn out, stitching the cross threads into a series of little groups.
to simulate hand hemstitching by piercing the material with a large machine needle and then stitching around the perforations.

noun

the stitch used or the needlework done in hemstitching.

Origin of hemstitch

First recorded in 1830–40; hem¹ + stitch

Related formshem·stitch·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hemstitch

Historical Examples

Do you know that some girls are often confused and call the hemstitch, the hemming stitch?
Clothing and Health
Helen Kinne
You have learned the hemming stitch; now you will try the hemstitch.
Clothing and Health
Helen Kinne
Now that you know the hemstitch, you can use it in many places.
Clothing and Health
Helen Kinne
See if you can discover the difference between the hemming stitch and the hemstitch?
Clothing and Health
Helen Kinne
Both are used at the top of the hem to hold it in place, but often the hemstitch is used in other places, too.
Clothing and Health
Helen Kinne

British Dictionary definitions for hemstitch

hemstitch

noun

a decorative edging stitch, usually for a hem, in which the cross threads are stitched in groups

verb

to decorate (a hem, etc) with hemstitches

Derived Formshemstitcher, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hemstitch

n.

also hem-stitch, 1821, from hem + stitch. As a verb by 1839. Related: Hemstitched; hemstitching.

hemstitch

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}hemstitch

Examples from the Web for hemstitch

Historical Examples

Do you know that some girls are often confused and call the hemstitch, the hemming stitch?

You have learned the hemming stitch; now you will try the hemstitch.

Now that you know the hemstitch, you can use it in many places.

See if you can discover the difference between the hemming stitch and the hemstitch?

Both are used at the top of the hem to hold it in place, but often the hemstitch is used in other places, too.

hemstitch

Word Origin and History for hemstitch

n.

Origin of hemstitch