hemstitch

1 of 2

verb

hem·​stitch ˈhem-ˌstich How to pronounce hemstitch (audio)
hemstitched; hemstitching; hemstitches

transitive verb

: to decorate (something, such as a border) with hemstitch
hemstitcher noun

hemstitch

2 of 2

noun

1
: decorative needlework similar to drawnwork that is used especially on or next to the stitching line of hems
2
: a stitch used in hemstitching

Illustration of hemstitch

Illustration of hemstitch

Examples of hemstitch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Peruse signature lines of linens, pillows, duvet covers, and hemstitch sheets as well as This Works bath and body products, scented candles, decorative pillows and fluffy robes. Necee Regis, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Mar. 2021 This will buy you 400- to 600-thread-count Egyptian or Pima cotton, some with windowpane or hemstitch detailing. Kelley Carter, ELLE Decor, 10 June 2020 An ivory hemstitched napkin with gold monogram is the little black dress of tabletop. Jura Koncius, Washington Post, 29 July 2019 Cocktail plates, hemstitched linens and teaspoons line up like soldiers encouraging guests to treat themselves. Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 Apr. 2018 Brasserie cups, saucers, and plate in white with blue trim, and hemstitched dinner napkins in yellow—all from Williams-Sonoma. Elle Decor Staff, ELLE Decor, 5 July 2012
Noun
Best: $130 to $190 400 to 600 thread count Egyptian or Pima cotton, some with windowpane or hemstitch detailing. Hannah Morrill, ELLE Decor, 15 Nov. 2018 For this place setting, Kate Goddard of Wild Sky Events paired a textured white charger with a silver crosshatch pattern, a white hemstitch napkin, and a handmade paper menu with dusty gray-blue calligraphy. Dobrina Zhekova, Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hemstitch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1839, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hemstitch was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near hemstitch

Cite this Entry

“Hemstitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemstitch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hemstitch

1 of 2 verb
hem·​stitch ˈhem-ˌstich How to pronounce hemstitch (audio)
: to embroider fabric by drawing out parallel threads and stitching the exposed threads in groups to form designs
hemstitcher noun

hemstitch

2 of 2 noun
1
: decorative needlework
2
: a stitch used in hemstitching

More from Merriam-Webster on hemstitch

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