hemstitchEtymologyFrom hem + stitch.nounAn embroidery stitch in which parallel threads are drawn together in groups, which may be purely decorative or used on the warp threads of handwoven cloth to prevent unraveling.verbTo sew or embroider using this stitch.“Leaving a tail 1 yd long for hemstitching, weave 2 picks of plain weave, then begin the pattern treadling. Use the tail to hemstitch in groups of 4-6 warp ends.”