As you begin to learn to sew there are many different types of stitches you will want to learn. There are the basics with the thread a needle but then there are some that are a little tricky like the ladder stitch. Early on I wanted clean lines on my pillows I made but the way I had learned left you seeing the thread on the seam. Then in conversation with a sewing friend, I heard of this invisible stitch and wanted to learn. After much trial and error, I learned how to do a ladder stitch. I want to save you the frustrations or need to “cover-up” your thread that’s showing and created this ladder stitch tutorial to make it easier to accomplish that amazing invisible stitch. If you follow the tutorial you will be a ladder stitch expert in no time!
Supplies for Ladder Stitch
- The project you are wanting to use the ladder stitch on, or a few spare pieces of fabric to practice on. The most recent project I had a need for the ladder stitch on was these reusable kitchen sponges.
- Thread
- Scissors
- Needle for hand-stitching
Ladder Stitch Tutorial
If you sew long enough you will have a need to put the ladder stitch to use. This stitch comes in handy especially for a pillow or hidden seam projects. The more I use this stitch the more I love it. The ladder stitch is also called the blind stitch, hidden stitch or the invisible stitch, so if you hear any of these it means this stitching. It is a great stitch as it leaves you with a clean seam and no thread is showing.
We are going to close the opening of this project by using a hand-sewn ladder stitch. Remember this can also be called a blind stitch or invisible stitch. In this ladder stitch tutorial, I am providing photos for each step so you can achieve this great stitch on any sewing project you may have in the future.
Thread your needle with the color of your choosing. Once you thread the needle, tie a knot at the end.
Insert your needle from underneath and inside one folded side of the opening. This will secure your thread and hide your knot away in the seam.
Go across to the other side of the opening and insert your needle along the top edge of the fold. You’ll want to pick up a small amount of fabric along the fold and poke the needle back out.
Repeat the last step coming across to the side you began with.
Continue going back and forth between fabrics with the small stitches along the top edge of each folded side until you get to the end of your opening. It will begin to resemble a ladder, hence the name ladder stitch.
Pull your stitches tight but not too tight, or it will bunch! This will close your opening. Look no thread is showing, that is the look we are going for.
Now we need to finish off the ladder stitch by securing the thread. Insert your needle under your last stitch and come back out of the fabric, then pull your thread tight through the thread loop you created. This will tie a knot in the thread. I Repeat this once more to secure the knot.
Insert your needle into the seam right next to the knot you made. Push your needle through the item you are sewing, and come out in the middle somewhere. Pull tight and trim the end of your thread – it will enclose the end of the thread inside the sponge, so you have no loose ends to snip off.
As you can see on my finished product, a reusable kitchen sponge, you have a beautiful clean seam line thanks to the amazing ladder stitch. No thread showing, I think back to some of the first sewing projects that have the thread on the outside makes me want to redo them with ladder stitch. It may take you a try or two to get the stitch down, but don’t worry once you have it down you won’t forget it. Your projects will have clean seams thanks to the ladder stitch.
If you loved this ladder stitch tutorial make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest sewing or craft board. If you decide to make something using the ladder stitch take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing what others make. Mention ladder stitch in your post so we will know you used it.
Step by Step Ladder Stitch Tutorial
Ladder stitch is a common stitch also called the invisible stitch, blind stitch or hidden stitch. This stitch is perfect for finishing seams when you don't want thread seen. We provide a great step by step tutorial on the ladder stitch with pictures.
Materials
Instructions
- Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end.
- Insert your needle from underneath and inside one folded side of the opening.
- Go across to the other side of the opening and insert your needle along the top edge of the fold.
- Repeat the last step coming across to the side you began with.
- Continue going back and forth between fabrics with the small stitches along the top edge of each folded side.
- Do this all the way to the other side of your opening.
- Pull your stitches tight but not too tight, or it will bunch!
- Insert your needle under your last stitch and come back out of the fabric, then pull your thread tight through the thread loop you created. This creates a knot.
- Repeat this once more to secure the knot.
- Insert your needle into the seam right next to the knot you made. Push your needle through the item you are sewing, and come out in the middle somewhere.
- Pull tight and trim the end of your thread.
- Now you have successfully completed a Ladder Stitch!
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