TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms for sharing and discovering short-form videos. One of the key features of TikTok is stitches, which allow users to clip and integrate videos from other users into their own videos. Stitches make it easy to collaborate with and build upon content from the TikTok community. If you want to find and use stitches to enhance your own TikTok videos, here are some tips on how to search for them within the app.
Understanding TikTok Stitches
A TikTok stitch is when a user takes an existing TikTok video (or part of a video) and “stitches” it together with their own new video clip. This creates a side-by-side or reaction-style video that incorporates content from someone else’s TikTok post. The original video that is used in the stitch is called the “quote tweet” while the new video is called the “retweet.”
Stitches allow TikTok creators to put their own spin on viral videos, news clips, meme content, and more. They can add commentary, provide reaction shots, or build on top of the original video creatively. Stitches help spread and reshape trending content while also supporting collaboration within the TikTok community.
When you stitch a TikTok video, the original video will play first, immediately followed by your own new recording playing side-by-side simultaneously. There are options to resize the quoted video and place your own recording on the right or left side. The original video remains attributed to its creator.
Finding Popular Stitches to Use
The easiest way to find trending stitches to use in your own TikTok videos is to look at the “Stitch” feed on the Discover page. To access this:
- Tap the Discover icon on the bottom toolbar of the TikTok app
- At the top, tap on “Stitch” next to the search bar
This will display a feed of trending stitch videos from across TikTok. Browsing here allows you to see what stitches are currently popular and get inspiration for stitches you could create.
When you find a video you want to stitch, tap on the Share icon below it and then tap “Stitch.” This will open up the video in the TikTok camera so you can record your own part of the stitch.
You can also tap on audio clips and song sections in the “Sounds” feed to automatically load it into the Stitch recorder.
Searching Stitches by Keyword
If you have something specific in mind for a stitch, you can search for TikTok videos to stitch using keywords. For example, you could search for “stitch green screen” or “stitch dance tutorial” to find relevant videos.
To search stitches:
- Tap the Discover icon and enter a search term in the search bar
- Filter by tapping “Stitches” underneath the search bar
- Scroll through results and tap “Stitch” on any videos you want to build off of
You can also combine this keyword search with hashtag searches like #greenscreen or #dance to further narrow down stitch options.
Finding Stitches from Specific Users
If there is a specific TikTok creator that you want to stitch, you can navigate to their profile page to browse their content.
To do this:
- Search for the username of the TikTok creator
- Tap into their profile and tap on “Videos”
- Browse their videos and tap “Stitch” on any you want to use
This allows you to easily find top videos from that user to stitch. You can also scroll back through their previous posts for more stitch options.
Stitching Your Own Videos
You aren’t limited to only stitching videos from other creators. You can also stitch your own previous TikTok videos.
To do this:
- Go to your profile and tap into your video feed
- Tap the Share icon below your own video
- Select “Stitch”
This will load your own video into the Stitch recorder so you can create a follow-up clip or add commentary.
Credit the Original Video
When creating a TikTok stitch, it’s important to credit the original video you are integrating. This is done automatically by the app, but you should also give verbal credit to the creator in your caption or video itself.
Giving credit helps build community on TikTok and shows respect for other creators. Proper attribution ensures original creators get support and engagement on their own videos as well.
Optimize Your Stitches for Discovery
To help your stitch videos get discovered, be strategic with titles, captions, hashtags, and sounds.
- Use clear titles and captions that describe what viewers can expect from your stitch
- Leverage hashtags from the original video as well as your own relevant hashtags
- Use trending sounds and songs that are timely and popular
Promoting your stitches on other platforms can also drive more views. Share stitches on your other social channels or embedded on websites.
Stitch Best Practices
When creating stitches, follow these best practices:
- Get consent if stitching friends or collaborators
- Credit the original creator somewhere in your post
- Add value by being creative or transformative with your part of the stitch
- Use stitches to participate in trends and engage with the community
- Stitch responsibly and avoid hurtful, dangerous, or misleading content
By putting care into your stitches, you can unlock more benefits from the feature while also building community.
Troubleshooting Stitches
Here are some common issues and fixes for stitching:
- Can’t find video to stitch – Try searching directly for username or sound
- Original video missing – The creator may have deleted the content
- Permission errors – The original video may have stitching disabled
- Stitch not posting – Review Community Guidelines and retry
If any glitches occur, closing and reopening the app can help resolve temporary issues. Make sure the app is updated to the latest version as well.
Using Stickers in Stitches
Along with shooting your own video clip, you can enhance stitches by adding stickers:
- Apply fun stickers like emojis and text over the original video
- Use stickers to point out parts or react to moments
- Overlay stickers seamlessly using the green screen sticker
- Align your stickers to match with beat drops in songs
Mixing stickers into your stitches helps your content stand out. Get creative with dynamic captions, graphics, effects, and more.
Conclusion
Stitching is an engaging way to participate in the TikTok community. By searching for trending stitches, checking creator profiles, or finding viral sounds, you can discover amusing, informative, or entertaining content to build off of in your own videos. Credit original creators, follow best practices, and optimize your stitches for maximum impact. With stitches, TikTok becomes a two-way conversation where you can put your own spin on content while interacting with the community.
