Use a ladder stitch to close a seam invisibly!
Hey y’all, today I’m showing you a video of my most used hand stitch, which goes by several names. I have heard this stitch called a slip stitch, a ladder stitch, an invisible stitch or a blind stitch. Whatever you call it, it’s great for finishing seams invisibly.
How to Sew a Ladder Stitch (aka Slip Stitch, Blind Stitch, Invisible Stitch)
- Hide knot in seam allowance
- Take a stitch on one side of the fabric parallel to the edge
- Take a stitch on the other side of the fabric, parallel to the edge
- Continue across seam, forming a series of stitches that look like a ladder.
- Pull thread tight to close seam and hide stitches inside.
- Knot the thread by winding it around the needle a couple times and pulling the knot close to the fabric. Then push the needle through the fabric as if you’re taking one more stitch. Bring the needle out and cut the thread close to the fabric, and pull the tail inside the fabric to bury it.
To see this in action, watch the video below on how to sew a hidden stitch or on YouTube here. Scroll below the video to see still photos of the process of ladder stitch sewing.
This stitch gives a great finish on collars (and also works great to close up pillows, bean bags and the like). To do an invisible stitch, you need two pieces of fabric with their seam allowances folded in towards each other. Start by hiding your knot in a seam allowance. Then, take a stitch in the seam allowance parallel to the fold or the stitching line (as in the picture below).
Then take another stitch in the seam allowance on the other side, making sure your stitch doesn’t go through to the outside of the fabric. You’ll create a series of Vs like shown below.
When you pull the thread, the two seam allowances will pull together, hiding the stitching in between them. Check out the video above on how to sew an invisible stitch to see this step in action – it’s like magic! And this is a great stitch to finish the seam on a plushie after you stuff it.
Allison
Thanks a lot for posting this. I’ve had a hole in my couch for months and I hadn’t hand stitched a blind seam in about 20 years.
Sue Schultz
I am happy I happened upon this post. I have only been sewing a short time and have wondered how to do a hidden seam. I thought it was going to be a big deal. It is so simple to do. Thank you for sharing.
Lynn
I make several items that this will work on. Right now I am working on a pillow for Christmas and I want it to look extra special. Thank uou
Theresa Hurt
Thank you. You did a good job explaining this
Amy
Thanks so much, my daughter had split her crotch in the back of her school pants and they are lined, so this method was a must and your video was a real life saver as I hadn’t practiced it in years.
Noeleen Trueman
Thank you for your very clear instructions.
Hubby is between sizes in jeans, I am sure I can make them smaller using ladder stitch, which will save buying new to replace fairly new.
kevan
Thankyou so much, new to sewing , this is useful