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Straight stitch
Type of simple embroidery and sewing stitch / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The straight or running stitch is the basic stitch in hand-sewing and embroidery, on which all other forms of sewing are based. The stitch is worked by passing the needle in and out of the fabric at a regular distance.[2] All other stitches are created by varying the straight stitch in length, spacing, and direction.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Art_Needlework_Morris_Design_Detail.jpg/640px-Art_Needlework_Morris_Design_Detail.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Pattern_darning.jpg/150px-Pattern_darning.jpg)
Some sources only use the term straight stitch to refer to the individual stitch or its family of related stitches,[3] while others use it interchangeably with or in place of running stitch.[4] Running stitch will never be used to refer to a single stitch since a single running stitch is a straight stitch.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Detail_of_sun_quilt_closeup.jpg/320px-Detail_of_sun_quilt_closeup.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Running_stitch.gif/320px-Running_stitch.gif)
Running stitches are most often not visible as they are used to close seams.[5]
Running stitch, Holbein or double-running stitch, satin stitch and darning stitch are all classed as straight or flat stitches. Backstitch is also sometimes included in this category.[6]