I was looking at some stitches with grandma for my new sewing book. That’s when I took a stitch and said it was a blanket stitch but in triangle form. Maybe it is a closed blanket stitch. 🤔 My grandma laughed and said no, it is an overlock stitch.
I started to disagree with her. But she continuously says both are different stitches, and there are a lot of differences between blanket stitch vs overlock stitch. Such as-
Blanket Vs Overlock
The blanket stitch is a ‘U’ shape stitch that is used around the fabric edge. An overlock stitch is a triangle stitch around the fabric.
I was still not convinced 😒 so she decided to do a debut competition with me 😂 I was like, sure, why not? Let’s start.
Main Facts:
- Overlock stitch creates tight, closely spaced loops around the fabric edge.
- Blanket stitch forms larger, spaced-out loops in a ‘U’ shape along the fabric edge.
- Overlock stitch is functional and more durable for raw edge finishing, while the blanket stitch is decorative and used for hand-finishing edges with a cozy, textural look.
Table of Contents
Blanket Stitch Vs Overlock Stitch: Head To Head Comparison
My grandma looked so serious to start the debut,
and so as I 😎 but before getting into the comparison, she wanted to give me an idea of overlock stitch. So, she started to explain the difference like blanket stitch vs slip stitch.
What Is An Overlock Stitch?
An overlock stitch is a unique sewing process that wraps the raw edge of the fabric with loops of thread.
I stopped Grandma and said, See, doesn’t it look like German knotted blanket stitch? I knew it was some blanket stitch design. 😏 Grandma said, no overlock stitch is a totally different stitch. In a knotted blanket stitch, the knot is visible and thick, but in an overlock, the knot isn’t visible.’
But doesn’t it look kinda the same, Grandma? 🤔I asked
An overlock stitch is created when one or two needles sew a seam while a blade trims the fabric, and looper threads wrap around the raw edge, giving it a clean, finished look.
It looks like the little border of loops that wrap around the edge. The stitches are usually closely spaced, giving a continuous, almost “woven” look along the edge. In blanket stitch, The loops are more spaced out than the overlock stitch and are generally larger.
So there are definitely different types of hand stitches, and Grandma said confidently. She profoundly showed me her blanket stitch categories, too.
Overlock Stitches Examples
If you still need to be convinced, here are a few examples of overlock stitching.
What Is The Difference Between Overlock And Blanket Stitch?
After she gave me a little idea of the overlock stitch, Grandma started to give me the real comparison between blanket stitch vs overlock stitch.
| Feature | Overlock Stitch | Blanket Stitch |
| Purpose | Primarily used for trimming and finishing raw edges to prevent fraying. | Used for decorative edge finishing, usually on fabric edges to prevent fraying. |
| Type | Functional, machine-made stitch. | Decorative, typically hand-sewn stitch. |
| Stitch Appearance | Tight, overlocked loops that cover and trim fabric edges in one pass. | Loops or knots that create a neat, slightly raised border around the fabric. |
| Used For | Sewing seams, finishing edges, and preventing fabric from unraveling. | Finishing edges of wool, fleece, or fabric in an ornamental way. |
| Durability | Highly durable; great for seams that will endure wear and tear. | Less durable; more for aesthetic purposes than heavy-duty use. |
| Best For | Knit fabrics, sewing seams, and industrial-level finishing. | Decorative fabric borders, especially for wool or appliqué. |
| Edge Finish | Trims the fabric while sewing the edge, making it neat and functional. | Provides a clean, visible edge with a raised decorative border. |
Hmm! 🤔 So the main difference between blanket stitch vs overlock stitch-
The overlock stitch by hand involves wrapping the thread around the fabric edge to secure it and prevent fraying, while the blanket stitch creates evenly spaced loops along the edge for a decorative, neat finish.
I Rest My Case
I shelender in front of my grandma’s explanation about blanket stitch vs overlock stitch. 🫡 And accept that blanket stitch is overlock stitch, a totally different kind of stitch.
Leave a Reply