Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A decorative stitch usually bordering a hem, as on a handkerchief, made by drawing out several parallel threads and catching together the cross threads in uniform groups.
- noun Needlework in which this stitch is used.
- transitive verb To ornament or embroider with hemstitches.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The ornamental heading for a hem in linen or cotton fabrics, produced by drawing out a few threads running parallel to the hem and catching together in groups those running the other way.
- To ornament with a hemstitch.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To ornament at the head of a broad hem by drawing out a few parallel threads, and fastening the cross threads in successive small clusters.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun an
embroidery stitch in which parallelthreads are drawn together in groups - verb to
sew orembroider using this stitch
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb sew with hemstitches
- noun a stitch in which parallel threads are drawn and exposed threads are caught together in groups
- noun embroidery similar to drawnwork
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Priced at £26.00 - the apron is made of 100% thick plain white cotton, with adjustable neck/waist tie and hemstitch detail on the double pockets.
Archive 2009-03-01 Thatsnews 2009
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Priced at £26.00 - the apron is made of 100% thick plain white cotton, with adjustable neck/waist tie and hemstitch detail on the double pockets.
Mother's Day Gift Idea From Scarlett Willow: Say It With The HOT MAMA Apron Thatsnews 2009
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Run waxed twine through the holes of some classic hemstitch napkins.
Shawn Henderson: 9 Creative Solutions To Last Minute Holiday Crises 2008
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Run waxed twine through the holes of some classic hemstitch napkins.
Shawn Henderson: 9 Creative Solutions To Last Minute Holiday Crises 2008
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Run waxed twine through the holes of some classic hemstitch napkins.
Shawn Henderson: 9 Creative Solutions To Last Minute Holiday Crises 2008
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She knew all sorts of things, and was a genius at hemstitch and crochet, wonderful fine work she could do on linen or canvas.
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As she did she noticed a white handkerchief lying on the floor beneath the bench, a delicate hemstitch round the edges.
Covenant Lewis, Beverly 2002
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I measured and cut the linen for the girls to hemstitch.
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When the handle is turned, it stitches and travels over the edges, uniting them faster and more securely than six hand sewers; and several others, representative of the family type of sewing machine, besides Wheeler & Wilson's hemstitch machine, the working of which is of much interest.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 598, June 18, 1887 Various
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Nearly every child had regular tasks; they were taught to use their hands as well as their eyes and thoughts, and Ruth was very proud that she could hemstitch nicely, and "set the heel" of a stocking, and finish off its toe.
A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Alice Turner Curtis
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