Types of Tacking

Tacking is temporary stitching to fix fabrics into position for more accurate, efficient and higher quality seams in the final garments. It also makes sewing more consistent and more predictable for the sewing operators.

It enhances different aspects of sewing and is increasingly being deployed as an intelligent addition to the garment making process. 

We are summarizing below the different tacking processes and vocabulary that anyone in the garment industry might find helpful.

• Hand Tacking: Temporary stitching done by hand to hold fabric pieces together.
• Machine Tacking: Temporary stitching done using a sewing machine with long stitches.
• Diagonal Tacking: Used for securing two layers of fabric together, especially in quilting.
• Slip Tacking: A method for hand stitching that ensures precise matching of fabric pieces.
• Pin Tacking: Using pins to temporarily hold fabric pieces together before stitching.
• Thread Tacking: Similar to hand tacking, but often done with a contrasting thread for easy removal.
• Tailor’s Tacks: Used to transfer pattern markings onto fabric pieces.
• Padding Stitch: Used in tailoring to attach layers of fabric and interlining together, especially in collars and lapels.
• Under Tacking: Holding a hem or facing in place before the final stitching.
• Easing Tacking: Helps to ease in extra fabric, typically around curves like armholes.
• Gathering Tacking: Used to create gathers or ruffles by pulling on the tacking threads.
• Stay Tacking: Used to hold fabric in place without stretching, often used on bias edges.
• Vertical Tacking: Used to temporarily hold pleats or folds in fabric.
• Horizontal Tacking: Similar to vertical tacking but used across the fabric, often to match stripes or patterns.
• Zigzag Tacking: Done with a sewing machine using a zigzag stitch for a more secure hold.
• Top Tacking: Done on the top layer of fabric to hold embellishments or trims in place.
• Tacking Stitches: Small, individual stitches used to hold fabric pieces in place at specific points.
• Temporary Hem Tacking: Holding a hem in place temporarily before final hemming.
• Shaped Tacking: Used to hold fabric in a particular shape, useful for darts and curves.
• Double Thread Tacking: Using two threads for extra strength, useful for thick or heavy fabrics.
• Thread Marking: Using a thread to mark positions on the fabric, similar to tailor’s tacks.
• Long and Short Tacking: Alternating long and short stitches for a secure yet easy-to-remove hold.
• Cross Tacking: Forming an X shape with stitches to hold fabric layers together.
• Invisible Tacking: Using a fine thread and tiny stitches that are barely visible.
• Scalloped Tacking: Using scalloped stitches to hold delicate fabrics without leaving marks.
• Quilt Tacking: Holding layers of a quilt together before final quilting.
• Reverse Tacking: Tacking from the wrong side of the fabric to avoid marks on the right side.
• Taped Tacking: Using adhesive tape to hold fabric layers together temporarily.
• Glue Tacking: Applying fabric glue to hold pieces together before sewing.
• Spray Tacking: Using a temporary adhesive spray to hold layers in place.
• Pinch Tacking: Pinching fabric together and tacking to create temporary pleats or folds.
• Channel Tacking: Tacking along channels for quilting or piping.
• Taut Tacking: Keeping fabric taut while tacking to avoid puckering.
• Anchored Tacking: Securing tacking stitches at the beginning and end with knots.
• Shirring Tacking: Using tacking to create shirring or gathers in fabric.
• Overlay Tacking: Tacking an overlay fabric onto a base fabric.
• Lining Tacking: Holding lining fabric in place before attaching to the main fabric.
• Curve Tacking: Tacking along curved seams to ensure smooth stitching.
• Fell Tacking: Using tacking to temporarily hold a fell seam in place.
• Pleat Tacking: Tacking pleats in place before permanent stitching.
• Hemming Tacking: Temporarily holding a hem in place with tacking stitches.
• Marking Tacking: Using tacking to mark seam lines or other guide lines on fabric.
• Satin Tacking: Tacking delicate satin fabric with special care to avoid marks.
• Stretch Tacking: Tacking stretchy fabrics to prevent distortion.
• Fold Tacking: Tacking a fold in place, often used in hems or cuffs.
• Shell Tacking: Creating a shell stitch effect with tacking.
• Seam Tacking: Holding a seam in place temporarily before final stitching.
• Pressing Tacking: Using tacking to hold fabric in place for pressing.
• Foundation Tacking: Tacking a foundation fabric to a main fabric for stability.
• Pattern Tacking: Tacking pattern pieces together to check fit before final sewing.
• Bias Tacking: Tacking along bias edges to prevent stretching.
• Underlining Tacking: Attaching an underlining fabric to the main fabric with tacking.
• Edge Tacking: Tacking along the edges of fabric pieces to prevent fraying.
• Backing Tacking: Tacking a backing fabric to a main fabric, often in quilting.
• Draft Tacking: Tacking a draft version of a garment to check fit and design.
• Collar Tacking: Temporarily holding a collar in place before final attachment.
• Sleeve Tacking: Tacking sleeves in place to check fit and alignment.
• Seam Allowance Tacking: Tacking along seam allowances to keep them flat.
• Inseam Tacking: Tacking along inseams, typically in pants or skirts.
• Underarm Tacking: Tacking underarm seams for fit and comfort.
• Patch Tacking: Tacking patches or appliques onto fabric before final stitching.
• Piping Tacking: Tacking piping in place along seams or edges.
• Trim Tacking: Tacking trims, such as lace or ribbon, onto fabric.
• Pocket Tacking: Temporarily holding pockets in place before final sewing.
• Buttonhole Tacking: Marking and holding buttonholes in place with tacking.
• Button Tacking: Temporarily attaching buttons with tacking.
• Fly Tacking: Tacking a fly front in pants or skirts before final stitching.
• Dart Tacking: Holding darts in place with tacking stitches.
• Topstitch Tacking: Tacking a topstitch line to ensure accuracy.
• Facing Tacking: Tacking facings in place before final attachment.
• Belt Loop Tacking: Temporarily holding belt loops in place.
• Cuff Tacking: Tacking cuffs in place before final sewing.
• Vent Tacking: Holding vents in place temporarily, often in jackets or skirts.
• Yoke Tacking: Tacking yokes in place, common in shirts and dresses.
• Placket Tacking: Temporarily holding plackets in place.
• Pleat Tacking: Tacking pleats to maintain their shape.
• Gather Tacking: Creating gathers with tacking stitches.
• Smocking Tacking: Tacking fabric for smocking.
• Embroidery Tacking: Holding fabric in place for embroidery.
• Stencil Tacking: Tacking fabric to hold a stencil in place for painting or embroidery.
• Patchwork Tacking: Tacking pieces of fabric together for patchwork.
• Panel Tacking: Tacking panels of fabric together before final assembly.
• Loop Tacking: Creating loops with tacking stitches, often for decorative purposes.
• Insert Tacking: Tacking an insert or inlay in place.
• Lapel Tacking: Tacking lapels in place, common in tailoring.
• Band Tacking: Tacking a band, such as a waistband, in place.
• Collar Stand Tacking: Tacking the collar stand in place before attaching the collar.
• Neckline Tacking: Temporarily holding the neckline in place.
• Shoulder Tacking: Tacking shoulder seams for fit and alignment.
• Interfacing Tacking: Tacking interfacing to fabric for added stability.
• Bodice Tacking: Tacking bodice pieces together for fit and alignment.
• Skirt Tacking: Tacking skirt pieces together to check fit.
• Shorts Tacking: Tacking shorts together for fit and alignment.
• Dress Tacking: Tacking dress pieces together for fit.
• Jacket Tacking: Tacking jacket pieces together, especially in tailoring.
• Coat Tacking: Tacking coat pieces together for fit and alignment.
• Blouse Tacking: Tacking blouse pieces together to check fit.
• Trousers Tacking: Tacking trousers together for fit and alignment.
• Overall Tacking: Tacking overall pieces together to check fit.
• Cape Tacking: Tacking cape pieces together for fit and alignment.