Multifunctional Blanket Stitch

What better time for hand sewing revelations than now when my sewing machine is in service? *sigh*

I have been thinking about this for some time - one type of hand stitch that comes in handy in so many situations! I'll point out the ones I thought about, new ideas are welcome! Known as the "blanket stitch" it can back up your sewing machine in some situations or even go where no sewing machine has gone before!!!!

First this is how it's done:

I prefer to stitch right to left. Bring the thread to front at desired distance from the edge ( about 2 mm for buttonholes, 4-5 mm for serging). Take the thread over the edge of the cloth and pull the needle back to front through the same point. Make a loop around this thread segment at the cloth edge level. At some distance from the first "entry point" (3-4 mm for serging) and at the same distance from the edge thrust the needle from front to back and pull the needle through the loop formed by the remaining thread. You can help yourself by keeping the thread over the index finger of the left hand while doing so. Repeat, repeat, repeat..:)

Tip: If you are serging, make sure not to pull the thread too much and cause the fabric to pluck. If you're working on a button hole or doing some embroidery work pull the thread just right so that the thread remains straight: not too loose, not too tight:)

Tip-tip:) : If the thread gets twisted on itself , you can straighten it out by sliding the needle close to the fabric and running the thread through your fingers from the fixed end towards the loose end (a few times)

Note: Whatever you plan to use this stitch for, you'll find it ideal when dealing with curved lines!

A video to catch the basic move:

Use it for:

1) Serging (overcasting the raw edges of a fabric to prevent unraveling)...

...can be done by hand! For years and years, before I had a sewing machine that can zig-zag or a serger, I used the old-fashioned way myself! It will take some time and patience but if you have these two I'm sure you'll be pleased with the result!

hand serging (green sample) next to overlock serging (brown sample)

2) Button holes!

Unlike when sewing button holes by machine, you need to cut the button hole first then stitch around the edges. Start with a few steps at a few mms from each other to prevent the fabric from fraying. Then on both sides make nice equal steps, thread near thread. Reinforce at both ends of the button hole.

button hole in progress

3) All-thread loops

You can use them as an alternative fastening system for buttons and hooks or for hanging towels! First you measure how long they need to be, depending on the purpose, and make simple thread loops from one anchor point to the other (I make about 10). Then cover the loop you obtained with thread-near-thread blanket stitches!

Tip: Make sure you get the right length of thread in your needle before the blanket stitching cover-up. I avoid using double thread because if it gets tangled most of the times that's it, finito!:(

4) Attaching lining (or 2 pieces of fabric) ... In projects that require lining you usually have to attach the lining to the main piece, both pieces facing each other, leaving an opening which you will use to turn the whole thing inside out and then you need a smart type of closure stitch, invisible on the right side of the main fabric! "Pinch" both pieces of fabric, pull the needle consecutively through both at a few mm distance always leaving the previous thread loop behind the needle. The move is basically the same, the stitch will look like a flat blanket stitch, identical to what appears along the edge when serging.

5) Decorative border - true blanket stitch using matching or contrasting thread. It can change the personality of a knitted or crocheted project also.

6) Applying patches or appliques in quilting or similar - first fix the "patch" by hand basting (Hand basting - A temporary way to hold fabric together). After finishing the blanket stitch over the edges remove the temporary stitches.

If it smells like Christmas, check soon for a knitted Christmas tree tutorial!

7) Embroidery - there are lots of variations of the blanket stitch used in embroidery, some based on changing stitch width, length, direction and grouping. Search images for "embroidery blanket stitch" if you want to get an overview of the amazing possibilities! 

(Photo courtesy of Deepa Belagopal who has an awesome embroidery blog at deepashome.blogspot.com. Thank you so much Deepa!)