How to Sew a Bar Tack (+ video!)

 

Need some extra reinforcement on those high-stress points in your sewing project? You’ll spot bar tacks on our sewing patterns like the Winnie trousers, Thea trousers, Pearl cardigan, Cece joggers and Ness skirt - where they’re often used to strengthen pocket corners, zip flies, and openings. A bar tack is a short, secure zigzag stitch that helps your handmade clothes stand up to everyday wear and tear.

In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we’ll show you how to sew a bar tack using your regular sewing machine. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be adding them to all your makes!

Scroll down to watch the video tutorial.

What is a bar tack?

A bar tack is a short, dense zigzag stitch used to reinforce stress points on garments. You'll often find them at:

• The top corners of pockets
• Zip fly openings
• The edges of openings that need extra durability

Bar tacks don’t just serve a functional purpose - they also give your handmade clothes a professional-looking finish. 

How to sew a bar tack

1. Mark your line

To help keep your stitching neat and straight, draw a short guideline—usually around 10mm (3/8in) long—where you want your bar tack to go. Use a chalk pencil or a heat-erasable pen so the mark can be removed after sewing.

2. Set up your machine

Switch your machine to a zigzag stitch. For light- to medium-weight fabrics, try these settings to start with:

• Width: 2.5
• Length: 0.5

If you’re sewing thicker fabrics like denim, corduroy or thick sweatshirt fleece, you might want to increase the width slightly and lengthen the stitch a bit. Test on a fabric scrap first and adjust until you're happy with the result.

3. Position your needle

Place the needle at the start of your marked line. Lower the presser foot to hold the fabric in place.

Tip: If you’re sewing over a bulky area (like a side seam or pocket edge), press and hold the small black button at the back of the presser foot as you lower it. This helps keep the foot level.

4. Stitch the bar tack

Sew a short line of zigzag stitches over your marked guide. Keep the stitches close together to create a dense, secure finish. Stitch for about 10mm (3/8in) in length, and then back tack (reverse stitch) to secure.

Finished!

And that’s it – your bar tack is done! Easy peasy, right?

This simple technique makes a huge difference in helping your handmade clothes last longer, especially in places that get tugged and pulled during everyday wear.

Happy sewing!

Liked this blog post? Check out How to Sew a Zip Fly and How to Stitch in the Ditch.