Real Dictionary

hemstitch in American English
an ornamental stitch, used esp. at a hem, made by pulling out several parallel threads and tying the cross threads together into small, even bunches
to put a hemstitch or hemstitches on
noun: the stitch used or the needlework done in hemstitching
transitive verb: to hem along a line from which threads have been drawn out, stitching the cross threads into a series of little groups

hemstitch in British English
noun: a decorative edging stitch, usually for a hem, in which the cross threads are stitched in groups
verb: to decorate (a hem, etc) with hemstitches