running stitch

American  

noun

1. a sewing stitch made by passing the needle in and out repeatedly with short, even stitches.

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running stitch British  

noun

1. Sometimes called: gathering stitch.  a simple form of hand stitching, consisting of small stitches that look the same on both sides of the fabric, usually used for gathering

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Etymology

Origin of running stitch

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Ms. Agha uses two forms in particular — a running stitch and a blanket stitch — often in tandem with collaged materials.

From New York Times • Jun. 24, 2022

As I got started, I immediately loved that sashiko requires no special skills—it is a basic running stitch, which is the one stitch you know if you, like me, didn’t realize stitches have names.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2019

Place the knot on the wrong side and follow the lines of the design with the 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

Sew to the wire closely with an overcasting stitch or with a running stitch just inside of the wire.

From Make Your Own Hats by Martin, Gene Allen

The folds should be creased to a thread, basted and sewed with a running stitch showing but little on the face, or stitched on the machine.

From Textiles and Clothing by Watson, Kate Heintz