[f. STITCH v.1 + -ING1.] The action of the verb, in different senses.
† 1. The feeling of a sharp sudden pain. Obs.
1561. Hollybush, Hom. Apoth., 29 b. [He hath] great stichynge when the ague commeth vpon hym.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 2/2. Therwith annoyncte the place of the stitchinge.
2. The action of fastening or uniting by stitches. Also, ornamentation with stitches.
1521–2. Rec. St. Mary at Hill, 314. Item, paid for new bandyng and stichyng of iij su[r]plyses x d.
1678. Orders, Rules & Ordin. Stationers’ Co., 23. The Imprinting, Binding, Stitching, Publishing or Dispersing of any such Book.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 232. With a great deal of Pains, and awkward tedious stitching … I at length made … a Shoulder of Mutton Sail.
1857. Ruskin, Pol. Econ. Art, ii. 161. If the sempstresses tried to break each other’s needles, that each might get all the stitching to herself.
3. concr. a. Stitches collectively; i.e., the portions or loops of thread, etc., fastened in the material as the result of sewing. Also, a series of stitches.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 179. The barres of mens breeches haue such strong stitching.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 15/1. Betwixt the which stitching, we lay as yet other.
1875. R. F. Martin, trans. Havrez’ Winding Mach., 60. This would be quite certain to wear out the stitching of the flat ropes.
1885. Daily News, 7 May, 5/2. Pearl-grey Derby gloves … with three black stitchings.
1915. Maud D. Haviland, in Blackw. Mag., May, 683/1. Maxim, when putting on his boots, found that the stitching had given way, and that his bare toes protruded.
b. The thread, silk, or other material of which stitches are made. Also pl.
1614. J. Taylor (Water P.), Nipping Abuses, B 3 b. For bumbast, stitching, binding, or for buckram.
1826. Haberdasher’s Guide, 16. Stitchings, a strong white thread.
c. A bundle of sheets of paper stitched together.
1679. Wood, Life (O.H.S.), II. 471. Sent to Sir William Dugdale, three stitchings or bundells containing corrections on his baronagium; the 1 stitching containes 5 papers, the 2d, 7 papers; the 3d., 11 papers.
4. attrib., as stitching-awl, needle, silk, thread; † stitching quill Surgery, a tubular needle.
1552. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., X. 71. Item for stiking silk and buttonis to the samyn coit xvj s.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 251/2. Acus Babylonia,… a fine stitching needle.
1589. Acc. Bk. W. Wray, in Antiquary, XXXII. 78. A q’ white stechinge silke, viij d.
1674. trans. G. Fabritius (Hildanus) Cista Milit., 22. A stitching Quill [L. cannula fenestrata], which is used in stitching Wounds.
1681. Grew, Musæum, I. § iv. i. 62. Thick as a Taylors Stitching-Thread.
1699. E. Ward, Lond. Spy, IV. 11. With here and there a Remnant of Basting-Thread and Stitching-Silk hanging upon his Coat.
1767. Gooch, Treat. Wounds, I. 154. Which is a better method in general, than to use the stitching quill.
1895. Hasluck, Boot Making, 57. The stitching-awl … is a similar tool to the sewing-awl, with the exception of being flat.
