How to Hand Sew | Blanket Stitch Tutorial for Beginners, by Sewing with Albertine on YouTube. 7 min 8 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 8 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Thread your needle and tie a small knot at the end. Bring the needle up through both layers of felt about 5 mm from the edge to start.
Take the needle down at the edge, then bring it back up through the loop of thread you just made. Pull gently to form the first stitch.
Work along a straight edge: push the needle down at the edge, then up through the fabric a set distance in, catching the loop before you pull tight.
Keep the spacing even, around 5 to 8 mm apart. On curves, make the stitches slightly closer together on the inside of the bend.
At an outer corner, take the last stitch right at the point, then turn the fabric and start the next stitch on the new edge.
At an inner corner, shorten the stitch so the thread sits neatly in the notch without pulling the fabric.
To add thread, finish the old thread on the back, then start the new one by bringing the needle up through the last loop.
To finish, take the needle to the back, make a small stitch through the loop and pull tight, then weave the tail into the stitches.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your tension loose so the edge does not pucker.
Use a contrasting thread colour to see your stitches clearly while learning.
Practise on a scrap of felt before working on a real project.
Questions
What thread should I use for a blanket stitch?
Embroidery floss or a strong all-purpose thread works well. Match the thickness to your fabric so the stitches sit flat.
How far apart should the stitches be?
Aim for even spacing of about 5 to 8 mm. Closer stitches give a denser edge, wider ones a lighter look.
Can I use a blanket stitch to join two pieces of fabric?
Yes. Work through both layers at once along the edge, as shown with the two layers of felt.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
