Want to know how to blanket stitch? If you need to sew thick fabrics together, this blanket stitch tutorial will help you out. Find out how you can use this essential embroidery stitch for your next sewing projects.
How to Blanket Stitch | Sewing Tutorials
A blanket stitch is traditionally used to edge thicker fabric for items like placemats, table clothes, and of course, blankets. It's also a nice method of joining two pieces of fabric together, or to simply add a nice decorative finish. This stitch happens to be easy and fun too!
What you'll need to do a blanket stitch:
- fabric (thicker fabric works well, like felt)
- needle
- embroidery thread
- scissors
To get your needle ready to go, thread one end to a length of thread through the needle. Knot the far end and trim the excess.
If you'd like to sew two pieces of fabric together, place your two pieces on top of each other with your edges lined up. It is noted in the instructions when directions differ for one piece of fabric versus joining two pieces.
Step 1
- One piece of fabric
To start a blanket stitch with a singular piece of fabric, thread the needle up the fabric at your starting point, about 1/4 inch from the edge (or whatever length you want your stitches).
- Two pieces of fabric
To start a blanket stitch with two pieces of fabric, thread the needle up through the top piece of fabric (not the bottom piece, so that the knot is hidden between the pieces of fabric).
Step 2
Thread the needle up through the bottom of the fabric (if you're sewing two pieces together, then go through both pieces of fabric) at the same point, creating a loop around the edge.
Step 3
Stick the needle through the loop you just made, going in the direction you want to sew, and pull the thread through.
Step 4
Move about 1/4 inch down the fabric (and 1/4 inch from the edge) and thread your needle down through the top of the fabric. If you are joining two pieces, go through both pieces. As you pull your needle through, pull it up through the loop you are making with your thread and pull taught in the direction you are sewing. This should create a straight line from the previous stitch, as well as creating another loop stitch. Congratulations, you've made a blanket stitch!
Step 5
Continue the method in step 4 to continue the blanket stitch.
Step 6
To change the thread:
- One piece of fabric
Poke your needle down through the top of the fabric as if you were starting a new stitch, but instead of looping through and finishing, just pull the thread through the back. Ready your next piece of thread, and knot the two ends together in the back. Bring your new thread around the front of the fabric and loop it under the loose stitch you left behind. Continue your blanket stitch.
- Two pieces of fabric
This is the same as with one piece of fabric, except you are hiding your knots. Poke your needle down through the top of the fabric as if you were starting a new stitch, but instead of looping through and finishing, pull the thread through to the back of the top piece of fabric only. Knot your thread and trim off excess. Using a new piece of thread, poke your new piece of thread down through the bottom piece of fabric, so that the second knot is also sandwiched between the two pieces of fabric. Bring the new thread around the front of the fabric and loop it under the loose stitch you left behind. Continue your blanket stitch.
Step 7
To finish your stitch
- One piece of fabric
Sew until finished and knot your thread at the back of the fabric, trim excess. If sewing all the way around the fabric, poke the final stitch through your first stitch. Knot at the back.
- Two pieces of fabric
Sew until finished. After completing final loop stitch, loop your thread through again and pull the needle through the loop to make a knot. Poke your needle in between the two fabrics next to the knot and poke up through the top fabric about an inch in. Pull the thread to force the knot in between the two pieces of fabric to hide it. While the thread is pulled tight, cut the excess off. The remaining thread should retreat back in between the fabrics.
Now that you've learned the versatile blanket stitch, enjoy using it for all sorts of craft projects. It adds a nice finishing touch to sewing pieces without much effort.
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