How to Topstitch

Learn how to topstitch correctly when sewing to get a professional looking finish. Topstitching strengthens seams that get a lot of wear.

Topstitching is a decorative stitch on the face of the fabric near a seam. Even, straight topstitching makes homemade sewing look a lot more proffessional. Topstitching is done 1/4 inch from the seam.

Topstitching is great for the seams that get extra wear and tear since the extra row of stitching gives a little bit of extra strength. It also keeps the seam allowance flat so that the seam is less likely to fold the wrong way or be irritating inside the item of clothing.

How to Topstitch

When I topstitch I like to use my regular foot and follow the edge which is 1/4 inch away. Make sure you sew on the top so that you can see where you’re sewing.

Sew slowly and carefully so that you get the row of topstitching in the right place right along the seam. If you accidentally wiggle as you sew, it’s worth it to unpick that section and do it again.

I sew at a regular stitch length which is 2.5 mm.

Ta-da! It’s that easy, but really improves the look of a garment. This stitch can also be done 1/4 inch from the edge of clothing like a vest or jacket.

Here are some examples of topstitching. Most topstitching done is on garments that also have edgestitching (to learn about edgestitching). They can go together without looking out of place. The most common place that topstiching is found is on men’s shirts. This is a shirt I made my husband.

Another place it’s found is on jackets like this one I made.

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!