TM 10-5410-230-134-5. HAND STITCHING REPAIR IN FABRIC ASSEMBLIES (CONT).b. Handstitches. There are five common hand stitches used to mend fabric in different situations. Choosethe one that most closely resembles the repair you are making.(1) Flat Stitch. This stitch is used as atemporary fastening until machinerepairs can be made. Pass the needleover and under an equal amount ofmaterial, each successive entering thematerial from the opposite side.(2) Round Stitch. This stitch is used tohand-work grommets. Insert thematerials at right angles to the edge ofmaterial and bring cord around edgebefore making the next stitch.(3) Overcast Stitch. This stitch is used toapply a hand-sewn patch. Insert theneedle through the material at an angleso that it comes out to one side andahead of the point of insertion, and bringthe cord over to the original line ofinsertion before making the next stitch.(4) Backstitch. This stitch is used to securean open seam. It is so named becausethe needle is always set back one half ofa stitch length into the last stitch made.Make two small stitches in the sameplace to secure the cord ends. Continueby inserting the needle into the middle ofthe preceding stitch and bringing it outon the same side of the material onestitch length in advance of the precedingstitch.(5) Fishbone Stitch. This stitch is used tojoin edges of a tear until a patch can beapplied. Insert needle between two edgesof material to be sewn together. Take adiagonal stitch from one side toward theother, bringing the needle out betweenthe two edges. Repeat this operation onthe opposite side, and continuealternating stitches from side to side. Tokeep the stitches uniform, hold the edgessmoothly together. Make stitches firmly,but do not pull them tight enough topucker the fabric.4-8
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