How to Stitch a Video on Instagram

Adding your voice to an existing conversation is one of the fastest ways to grow on Instagram, and the Stitch feature is the perfect tool for the job. Mastering this simple feature allows you to react, respond, and add your own unique take to trending Reels, turning passive scrolling into active content creation. This guide will walk you through exactly how to Stitch a video on Instagram, share strategies for making your Stitches stand out, and show you how to manage your own video's permissions.

What Exactly is an Instagram Stitch and Why is it So Powerful?

An Instagram Stitch lets you add your own video after a clip from someone else's Reel plays. Think of it as a conversation starter. Someone poses a question, and you record your answer. Someone shares a life hack, and you show yourself trying it. The original video sets the stage, and your clip provides the response, the punchline, or a new perspective. It’s a direct way to build upon existing content, participate in trends, and join a larger narrative on the platform.

It's important to know that Instagram has integrated the Stitch functionality into its "Remix" feature. When you want to Stitch, you'll tap "Remix," and then select the "With original video" (sequential) layout. This puts their clip first and yours second, which is the classic Stitch format pioneered on TikTok.

So, why should you start using it? The benefits go far beyond just saving time on content creation.

• Effortless Trend Participation: Trends on Reels move incredibly fast. Stitching allows you to jump on a trending audio or video format instantly without having to create a concept from scratch. You simply add your spin to what's already working.
• Increased Engagement and Reach: When you Stitch a video, the original creator is automatically tagged and notified. This often encourages them to engage with your content, and your Stitch may be shown to their audience as well, expanding your reach to a new, relevant community.
• Sparking Conversations: Stitch is inherently conversational. You can use it to answer questions, debate a point, or add more context to a topic. This type of content invites comments and further discussion, boosting your engagement signals to the algorithm.
• Showcasing Your Brand's Personality: For businesses and brands, Stitching is a fantastic tool for humanizing your account. You can react to industry news, respond to a customer's question in a video format, or show a behind-the-scenes perspective related to another creator's video. It’s an authentic way to connect with your audience.

How to Stitch a Video on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create your first Stitch? The process is simple and takes just a few clicks. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to get it done.

Step 1: Find a Reel You Want to Stitch

First, find the Reel you want to use as your inspiration. As you scroll through your feed, look for videos that pose a question, start a trend, or present an idea you can creatively add to. Remember that not all videos can be Stitched. The original creator must have the feature enabled for their video. If the option is missing in the next step, it means they have it turned off.

Step 2: Access the Remix Menu

Once you've found the perfect Reel, tap the three dots (...) in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will open up a menu of options. From this menu, tap on "Remix." This is your gateway to both side-by-side remixes and sequential stitches.

Step 3: Select the "Sequence" Layout

After you tap "Remix", Instagram will take you to a new screen showing your camera alongside the original video. Look for the layout options, typically represented by icons at the bottom or side of the screen. To create a Stitch, you'll want to choose the option that shows the videos playing one after another. Select "With original video." This sets it up so their clip plays first, followed by the video you're about to record. You can then trim the original clip down to the most relevant part you want to react to by using the slider.

Step 4: Record Your Video

Now it's your turn. Frame your shot, and hit the record button to start filming your addition. You can use all of Instagram's standard recording tools here:

• Tap the record button to start and stop filming a single continuous clip.
• Press and hold the record button to film, then release to pause, allowing you to shoot multiple scenes.
• Use the timer feature on the left-hand menu to get a countdown before recording starts, perfect for hands-free filming.

Your goal is to create a seamless follow-up to the original clip, so get straight to the point.

Step 5: Edit and Enhance Your Stitch

Once you're done recording, tap "Next." Now you're in the final editing screen where you can add all the famous Reels flourishes. This is your chance to make the Stitch your own.

• Text: Add on-screen text to highlight key points or add context. You can time the text to appear and disappear, which helps keep viewers engaged.
• Audio: You can add a voiceover to explain your reaction, add a trending song from the music library, or use sound effects to make your point.
• Stickers: Use captions and GIF stickers to add personality and humor.
• Filters & Effects: Apply a filter or effect to match the aesthetic of your own brand or the original video.

Step 6: Write Your Caption and Post

On the final screen, write a compelling caption that explains your Stitch. It’s great practice to ask a question to drive comments. Crucially, Instagram will automatically credit the original creator in your caption with a link to their video. Do not remove this credit. It's good social media etiquette and essential for how the feature is designed to work.

Choose your cover image, tag any relevant accounts, and when you're ready, hit "Share." Congratulations, you've just created a Stitch!

Creative Tips for Making Better Instagram Stitches

Knowing the technical steps is one thing, using the feature to create engaging content that people want to share is another. Here are some strategies to elevate your Stitch game.

1. Choose High-Potential Videos

Don't just Stitch random videos. Be strategic. Look for Reels that have a clear call to action, like "Tell me about a time when..." or "What's an unpopular opinion you have about...". These videos are practically begging for a response. Also, keep an eye out for trending topics or challenges within your niche, as Stitching those videos gives you immediate relevance and discoverability.

2. Add Genuine Value or Humor

The best Stitches aren't just lazy reactions. They add something new to the conversation. Here’s how:

• Answer Questions: If a creator asks their audience a question, use Stitch to provide your expert answer.
• Debunk or Confirm: Stitch a popular "hack" or tip in your niche and show your audience whether it actually works.
• Provide the Punchline: If a video has a clear comedic setup, use Stitch to deliver a brilliant punchline.
• Show the "After": Find a video that demonstrates a process (like a recipe or a DIY project) and Stitch it with your final result.

3. Get to the Point Immediately

Attention spans on Reels are incredibly short. The original clip will use up the first few seconds of your video, so your addition needs to be punchy and direct. Avoid long, rambling introductions. Jump right into your answer, reaction, or demonstration the instant your camera starts rolling.

4. Use Stitch for Brand Storytelling

Brands can use Stitch in brilliant, authentic ways. Here are a few ideas:

• Product in Action: Stitch a video where someone is describing a problem that your product solves. After their clip, show how your product is the perfect solution.
• Answer Customer FAQs: Find a comment asking a common question and Stitch the Reel it was on to provide an engaging video answer.
• React to Industry News: Stitch a news clip or another expert's take on something happening in your industry and give your company's official perspective.

How to Control Who Can Stitch Your Videos

Just as you can Stitch other people’s content, they can also Stitch yours. You have full control over these permissions, either on a per-video basis or for your entire account.

Controlling Stitch on an Individual Reel

When you're about to post a new Reel, on the final screen before you hit "Share," tap on "Advanced Settings." Here, you'll see a toggle for "Allow people to Remix." Turning this off for an individual video will prevent anyone from Stitching or Remixing that specific Reel.

You can also change this setting on a video that has already been published. Go to your Reel, tap the three dots (...), and select "Manage." From there, you can choose "Turn off Remixing."

Setting Your Account-Wide Preference

If you'd rather set a default permission for your whole account, you can do that in your privacy settings.

1. Go to your profile and tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
2. Tap on "Settings and Privacy."
3. Scroll down to "Sharing and Remixes."
4. Under the "Allow Remixes" section, you can toggle off the ability for people to Remix (and therefore Stitch) your Reels, Feed videos, or Photos.

Generally, leaving Stitches enabled is a great organic growth strategy, as it encourages others to engage with and share your content. However, knowing how to manage these settings gives you complete control over how your work is used.

Final Thoughts

Stitching on Instagram is more than just a feature, it’s a powerful strategy for increasing engagement, collaborating with other creators, and consistently generating fresh content ideas. By adding your voice to ongoing conversations, you tap into existing trends and communities, making organic growth feel more achievable and fun.

Creating trendy content like Stitches is your job, but getting it published shouldn't get in the way. At Postbase, we designed a simple, visual calendar to help you plan your entire content strategy. Since we built our tool for a video-first world, you can easily schedule your finished Reels, TikToks, and Shorts across all your platforms without reliability issues, keeping your content flowing even when you're focused on creating the next great Stitch.