1573 J. Bridges 59 They were farre better armed to find excuses to giue it ouer, than prouided to go throughstitche therwith.
1596 T. Nashe sig. E4 That wee might haue made round worke, and gone thorough stitch.
1634 J. Ford ii. sig. E2 He that threeds his needle with the sharpe eyes of industrie, shall in time goe through-stitch, with the new suite of preferment.
1663 E. Waterhouse viii. 134 The LXXII men of courage, that will go through stitch with the work of Justice.
1685 J. Evelyn (1955) IV. 445 The..Chiefe Justice Jeofries..went through-stitch in that Tribunal.
1694 R. L'Estrange (1714) cxxxiii. 150 'Tis Perseverance alone that can carry us Thorough-Stitch.
1714 B. Mandeville i. 179 A Man of Honour enters into a Conspiracy with others to murder a King; he is obliged to go thorough Stitch with it.
1737 J. Breval i. 21 I must go through-stitch with my Gallantry.
1776 B. Simonds 69 If we cannot go through Stitch, it is idle to begin.
1824 15 147 We have gone too far to retreat,..we must e'en go thoroughstitch.
1841 7 Aug. 380/1 It is to be trusted the work will be done thorough-stitch.
1904 J. P. Kirk in (1905) VI. 100/1 [South Nottinghamshire] I shall have to go thorough-stitch through the house; it's filthy from top to bottom. She's means to do the place up thorough-stitch.