Abstract: Parameter analysis is conducted on the bridging effect of the stitch which works as the through-thickness reinforcement in the composite lamina. The analysis results indicate that stitch diameter, stitch strength, incline angle, laminate thickness and laminate bearing strength influence the bridging curve and the fracture energy, and even change the stitch failure mode. The finite element models are established in two ways, i.e., connector and discrete cohesive element models, to simulate the mix-mode bending test for the stitched laminates with the stitch bridging curve as input data. The two models are in good agreement with each other, and both of them agree well with the existing experimental results. Compared with the discrete cohesive element model, the connector model, needing less input data, gives a higher modeling and calculation efficiency.