Ladder stitch, as its name suggests, looks like a ladder. The ladder stitch, often likened to a surgical suture, offers a nearly invisible seam, making it popular for a lot of your projects. In sewing, it can be done in 3 ways and for different purposes.
The three most commonly used Ladder stitches are as outlined below. The first one is a very useful stitch as a blind (invisible) joining stitch and the other two are decorative embroidery stitches.
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Invisible Ladder Stitch
The invisible ladder stitch is used for joining two fabric edges very finely and inconspicuously – the ladder stitch looks almost invisible between the fabric edges.
If you have a tear in a couch seam and you cannot reach the back of the seam to sew it with a machine this is the stitch used.
The stitches will look like as in the diagram below
Keep the fabric edges together, with the folded edges facing each other.
Start from one side with the knot on the back. Go to the other fabric edge and take a small vertical stitch on the inside of the fold of the fabric edge.
And then go to the other fold of fabric to take another stitch, the same way.
Make more stitches like this, going back and forth, tightening the stitches as you go, so that the gap between is reduced to nothing.
You can use this stitch to sew tucks in fabric – follow the pictures given below
Open Chain stitch
This beautiful and very simple stitch is a variation of the Chain stitch and is also known by names like Ladder Stitch, Roman Chain Stitch, and Square Chain Stitch. It looks really like a ladder and is a favorite stitch for borders.
This stitch is made between two parallel lines, imaginary or drawn. I like to draw to be sure that ladder looks straight, not skewed.
Step 1
Bring up the needle from the back at point A; Create a loop and insert the needle at B on the same level.
Step 2
Bring up the needle at C above A at the same time catching the loop
Step 4
Insert the needle at D again creating a loop, then come up at the same time at a point above C, at E
Repeat the steps to create more loops like this and end with two straight stitches at the end of the chain
Herringbone Ladder Stitch
This is a type of weaving stitch. A herringbone stitch is woven through two parallel back stitch lines.
Check out the post on back stitch if you do not know how to make this stitch. It is a beautiful border stitch. You can also use it as a filling stitch
Step 1
We need to stitch two parallel lines first.Draw the lines so that one line is 1/4 inch distant from the other.
Stitch the parallel lines with back stitches which are 1/4 inches in length; you can stitch them closer if you want a closer effect.
Ensure that junctions between the stitches are not simultaneous in the two lines.Look at the picture below on how you should be making the back stitches
Step 2
Thread a contrasting coloured thread on your needle. Bring out the needle from the start of the back stitch
Insert the needle under the first stitch from outside. Donot pierce the fabric.Continue to the first stitch on the other side. Make a loop and go to the stitch on the other sideline.
Step 3
Continue doing this till the whole line is filled with loops of herringbone stitches.
Things to take care of before sewing the Ladder stitches
Shifting of the fabric edges are a problem when making this stitch continously. Use a pin to hold the two pieces of fabric together as you work the ladder stitch. And before starting the ladder stitch, ironing your fabric can make it easier to see and sew the stitch line.
The ladder stitch is especially useful when closing the opening of a stuffed toy, as it creates a nearly invisible seam that doesn’t detract from the toy’s appearance. For stuffed toys, fabrics like cotton, plush, and velour are commonly used. A sharp, medium-sized needle, often referred to as a sharps needle is used to sew the ladder stitches here.
Sharps needles are medium in length, slender, and have a rounded eye. They can be used to make these stitches.
Ensure you’ve left an adequate seam allowance. You need this periphery to ensure that your ladder stitch has enough stability
Can you successfully use the ladder stitch on a stretchy fabric?
You need a thread that will not break when stretched. You can use a stretchy thread like Wooly Nylon Thread
How do you do an invisible stitch with thin fabric? And does the fabric for the ladder stitch have to be folded on both sides? I still don’t understand how to do it.
Hi Heidi, Yes the fabric have to be folded at the edges for the stitches to be hidden within the folds. You take a stitch along one side then go to the other side, take a stitch and goes on doing this, thus joining the two fabric together.
I am so glad I found this website and I love the ladder stitches those for sure will help me with my scrunchies sewing. I have started to sell scrunchies.
Amazing! I sew scrunchies too!
Want to connect collegiate scarves of past together as a blanket with an interesting stitch
Hi Debby
Can you have a look at the insertion stitches here https://sewguide.com/insertion-stitches/
Maybe this is what you want