What Is a Blanket Stitch? How To Blanket Stitch?

With out the blanket stitch, a blanket would just look like another blanket. Without a great decorative accent to spice up its appearance, it is dull and lifeless.

To answer your question, what is a “blanket stitch?” A blanket stitch is essentially a straight stitch with one perpendicular thread added in to make it stand out. Using this stitch is versatile. First and foremost, it’s a stitch that can be utilized in needlework as a decorative element. The stitch can also be used for appliques or as a boundary stitch.

Continue reading this article to learn more about the blanket stitch. It has the information you want to know about so you can use this stitch properly. Because of its adaptability, you should be able to incorporate it into a large number of sewing tasks.

What is a Blanket Stitch?

 

Continue reading this article to learn more about the blanket stitch. It has the information you want to know about so you can use this stitch properly. Because of its adaptability, you should be able to incorporate it into a large number of sewing tasks.

Continue reading to find out more about the blanket stitch. So that you can use this stitch correctly, this guide provides all the information you need. There are a plethora of sewing projects that might benefit from this fabric’s versatility.

What is a Blanket Stitch Used for?

Blanket edges were originally sealed with this stitch. That’s where the name came from. The blanket stitch is a name given to this type of stitch because it was commonly employed to bind blankets. However, it is a versatile stitch type that may be utilized on a variety of crafts.

Pillowcases and tea towels are two possible craft ideas. Even if the stitch is simple, it adds a nice touch to the appearance of these everyday objects.

Other uses include making borders for your needlework and then adding appliques to a quilt when you’re working on the latter. Using a thread color that contrasts with your fabric will give your work a distinctive look.

It’s fine if there are other uses we haven’t mentioned here. A variety of tasks can benefit from this stitch design. Test the stitch on a scrap of paper to see how it looks.

Does Blanket Stitch Stop Fraying?

Additionally, this stitch technique serves as a way to prevent fraying. That’s one of the reasons it’s positioned approximately a quarter of an inch in from the material’s edge.

This stitch also aids in preventing cloth stretching. Stitching in a particular manner keeps the fabric in place and prevents it from shifting around as you work. Perpendicular stitches are commonly used to ensure that no fibers are lost during the stitching process.

When it comes to putting your outfit together and making it appear decent, it’s critical to keep your fabric the same size as when you cut it. Your creation may not turn out as well if you don’t use the blanket stitch.

Just check out the buttonhole option if you’re looking for a comparable stitch. The only difference is that the stitches are closer together in this version.

What Thread for Blanket Stitch?

 

The cloth you’re working with and the goal of the stitch will both influence the type of thread you use. The thicker the fabric, the thicker the thread should be when choosing a thread.

Naturally, as you increase the thickness, you’ll need a larger needle. Yarn, 6 strand embroidery floss, pearl cotton, and a slew of additional options are among the thread options available.

You can use any sort of thread, as long as it fits the cloth and has some strength, if you don’t have those three. When you’re making a sweater and want to add a felt applique, yarn is the best option.

Or, if you’re making a delicate handkerchief hem, use a fine needle and 1 or 2 strands of floss.

What does a Blanket Stitch Look Like

When the notebook’s pages and cover are stitched together rather than bonded with glue, it resembles a notebook binding. Perpendicular stitch at the end of straight stitch creates this look.

This stitch may look like a half-finished box stitch, but it extends all the way to the end of the piece of fabric. If you choose, you may make it look like a prisoner chain gang if you prefer.

You’ve seen the movies where the prison work crews are chained together, and the prisoner makes the perpendicular stitch to the chain. When done correctly, the blanket stitch has a simple appearance that can be aesthetically pleasing. Closing two textiles with this method ensures a tight, snug fit.

How to Blanket Stitch by Hand

We need to clear up one piece of information before we can get to the rest of the story. The knot should be concealed by starting from the back, according to some sewers. Some believe that the stitch should be started from the back.

In contrast, a third group recommends starting in between the layers to totally disguise the knot. Any beginning point is fine, as long as you have the appropriate thread for the fabric.

You must hold the thread so that the short tail does not come unthreaded on your initial pass. Perpendicular stitches are made by passing your needle through the previous stitch and then making a new straight stitch. You keep going until you’ve used up all of the fabric.

To tighten the loop, insert the needle from left to right, and draw the thread straight up. Starting each stitch 1/4 inch to the left of the preceding one is the recommended technique.

How to Start a Blanket Stitch

 

Creating knots down the thread line is the goal of this stitch pattern. To begin, tie a first knot to act as an anchor for the subsequent stitch in the line. You can either single or double knot the thread, and then begin stitching.

Start by sewing the thread through a sliver of material, then bringing it up, over, and back down the fabric’s edge to the back. Take the needle through the same hole again, and then bring it around so that it can be inserted into the loop you just made.

To tighten the stitch, pull the thread from the left to the right direction. Make a quarter-inch shift and repeat the procedure. You repeat the same process until you’ve completed the edge you’re working on on the fabric.

How to Finish a Blanket Stitch

It’s as simple as just starting the stitch pattern from the very beginning. When you reach the end of the cloth, bring your thread through the bottom of the last stitch to the back of the material.

Turning the fabric over to see the wrong side allows you to tie the final knot. Since you bring the thread through, leave a small loop as you will be inserting your needle through this loop in a second..

Gently tighten the knot after you’ve finished this step by pulling it tight. One more time, tie a second knot to help support the first. Cut the thread once you’ve finished.

You can use fabric tape or a similar product along the edge to assist you maintain the thread depth consistent. The best tape to use is one with markings spaced evenly apart; simply adhere to that tape.

Can Sewing Machines do Blanket Sitch?

It is true that many sewing machines can execute a blanket stitch, but only if the pattern is included in the built-in stitch designs. Getting the hang of this stitch on a machine may take some time, but practicing on scraps is always a good idea before diving into the real thing.

For those who frequently use the blanket stitch, finding a model that includes the pattern in its stitch library might be a worthwhile investment. Alternatively, look for a machine that can download the stitch pattern and add it to its pre-installed options.

There is no blanket stitch on your sewing machine if it doesn’t have either of these options available to you. If you do it by hand, it will take a long time to complete the project.

Blanket Stitch on a Sewing Machine

 

You can use this option to reinforce a fused edge, or to turn a raw edge under and create a hemline around your creation. The needle and thread must be matched to the fabric.

Sewing machine troubles can arise if the two components do not match up, according to some seamstresses, who claim that you can use any thread or weight and a normal needle. If you don’t want to match the thread to the cloth or other threads in the design, you can use contrasting colors.

Your machine won’t be able to complete your project if it isn’t equipped with this stitch pattern. This stitch pattern would have to be added by hand. Your workday will be a little longer as a result.

Closed Blanket Stitch

The half-crossed blanket stitch is another term for this technique, which requires crossing over the thread line. To avoid looking like the stitched book binding found on some notebooks, this stitch makes a triangle by crossing over and stitching above or below the two parallel line segments.

Stitching in this fashion necessitates going through the fabric twice and intersecting those two stitch lines, both of which require time. On both sides of a piece of fabric, the stitch pattern should be the same.

This stitch design resembles the typical merrow stitch pattern in appearance, but it differs slightly in execution.

Double Blanket Stitch

The double buttonhole stitch pattern is another name for this stitch. The only thing you need to do to achieve this appearance is to follow the steps outlined above for the blanket stitch.

You next reverse the fabric and begin stitching in the opposite direction with a blanket stitch. If the perpendicular stitches alternate and fill in the gaps between each other, you’ve done these two stitch patterns correctly.

It’s as easy as it sounds to make this stitch pattern. What you’re doing is merely re-creating the same pattern in two distinct ways. Adding a decorative design with two different colors of thread should improve your finished item.

How to Blanket Stitch an Edge

 

When it comes to this stitch design, the beginning and end are the most crucial parts of the procedure. What matters most is getting the knots correct. When working by hand, the most challenging component will be maintaining a constant stitch depth.

If you want to start your knot in the front, the back, or in between the layers, start it around 1/4 inch from the edge. Once you’ve tied your first stitch, you’ll be doing it over and over again.

The following stitch is secured to this knot. In the next step, you continue to keep 1/4 of an inch from the edge of the material as you work your way down to the end. When working with thicker textiles, you should increase the stitch length.

Blanket Stitch on Fleece

It’s the same method as before to sew a blanket stitch on a piece of fleece material. You can cut the fringe off the fleece if you want to make a cleaner look but that will be up to you.

Stitch spacing should always be 1/4 inch apart from the previous stitch and 1/4 inch from the end of the row. When you finish a stitch, carefully pull the thread to tighten it up. Each thread must be tightened individually before you reach the end.

When you make a stitch, you must do this for each and every one of them. To prevent your stitches from coming undone and ruining your craft, tie off each row with a strong knot. Every sort of fabric you work with will have the same basic method for blanket stitching.

Blanket Stitch vs Whip Stitch

 

The main difference between the two is the method of production. Here, we won’t go into depth on how the blanket stitch is done. The whip stitch, like the overhand stitch, is a simple pattern.

As you can see, the overhand stitch is looped over the fabric’s edge, but the whip stitch loops diagonally. Stitching with the blanket stitch, on the other hand, necessitates the creation of several knots as you go. There are no knots in the whip stitch.

That stitch is not as decorative as the blanket option but it is easier and faster to use. The blanket stitch is more decorative and probably has a better hold on the fabric due to its complex design.

Some final words

The blanket stitch is an excellent choice for preventing fraying. At the same time, it will add a decorative touch making your project look a lot better. With its versatility, you can use this stitch on different fabrics and different sewing styles. Creating it may take time to master but it does bring a nice look to your designs.