At first, I thought the ladder stitch was just about attaching two fabric edges together. Simple, right? But then, I saw something that completely flipped my idea – an embroidery with a ladder-like pattern on fabric!
It was so beautifully intricate that it instantly caught my eye and left me curious. I wanted to add this to my sewing book.
Naturally, I had to know more. After a bit of searching, I found it was the herringbone ladder stitch! I couldn’t believe it. I just had to try it myself. It is also so easy to do so, you just gotta,
Herringbone Ladder
To do the herringbone ladder stitch by hand, alternate diagonal stitches across the fabric edges, creating a ladder-like pattern with a smooth, woven appearance.
This adds a bit of curiosity and excitement to the experience, keeping it light and fun. What do you think?
Points to be noted:
- Herringbone ladder stitch looks like a ladder-like effect with interlocking diagonal stitches.
- Start with a stab stitch for better accuracy and use shorter stitches for smaller circles.
- Break down the design into quadrants to keep stitch counts even and symmetrical.
- Use a sturdy embroidery thread like cotton floss and mark fabric for reference points.
Table of Contents
What Is A Herringbone Ladder Stitch?
A herringbone ladder stitch is a stitching that combines the elegance of a herringbone pattern with a ladder-like effect.
At first glance, it might seem like another way to join two pieces of fabric. But once you see it, you’ll realize it’s much more. The stitch creates a series of diagonal lines that interlock to form “ladder steps,.” This is basically a chain ladder stitch but in a different style.
How To A Herringbone Ladder Stitch By Hand?
Everyone commonly does a herringbone ladder stitch in between 2 parallel stitches. But I don’t like to do all stitches in the usual way. 😜
So, I decided to twist it by doing it in a circle. So, at first, I drew a circle and did backstitch around the circle.
But with a twist,
I know many people use a sewing motion as they would for the stem or slip stitch. But I’m not doing that today. Instead,
I’m going to focus on a stab stitch motion for more accuracy. Holding my needle upright, I’m keeping it straight up and down as I insert it into the fabric. This lets me see where the needle is placed and helps me get a clean, crisp stitch.
Before diving into the herringbone ladder stitch, I’m making sure I’m comfortable with my backstitch. If I’m struggling with this, I’ll have a tough time with the ladder stitch, so I will take some extra time to practice first.
Now, it’s time to get started!
I’ve got 2 circles to work with—
- One Smaller
- One Larger
I’m ensuring the stitches match the 2. This way it will create beautiful color combinations. The smaller circle needs shorter stitches than the larger one because it covers the same distance. I need more stitches just like the Epp ladder stitch.
I’m starting with the smaller circle so I don’t have trouble later with tiny stitches on a big circle.
I’m breaking it down by quadrants, 1 quadrant at a time. So I don’t get lost or overwhelmed. I’m counting my stitches carefully. It helps me ensure I have the same number in each section so everything lines up just right.
If I mess up, I’m fixing it right then and there instead of hoping it will work itself out later. That way, I’m not left with mismatched stitches in the end.
So, at first, I lock the thread under 1 backstitch.
I’m going to bring my needle from the top and down, so when I’m on the top row, I’m always going from the outside.
The extra thread should be on the right side of the needle. Then, pull the needle all the way down.
Now, I slide the needle from the inside to the outside circle, keeping the thread on the right side.
Now pull the needle all the way, and tada! It created 1st step of the ladder.
And then again, I’m moving from the outside circle to the inside and then back out, following this pattern to create that beautiful, ladder-like effect. With each stitch, I make sure it’s clean and neat. I gently pull the thread without making the stitches too tight.
As I neared the end, I know the thread length. I made sure I started with enough thread. So I wouldn’t run out halfway through.
When I finally meet up at the end of the circle, I sink the thread into the fabric to finish it cleanly.
And there it is, my herringbone ladder stitch, which looks neat and beautiful. It’s a bit of a challenge. But the result is so worth it.
So, yeah that’s How do you do the herringbone stitch? If you are still confused about something, then watch this embroidery stitch tutorial,
Circular Ladder Herringbone
Herringbone Ladder Stitch Embroidery
Herringbone ladder stitch is kinda tricky but in a fun way. Cause easy is always boring. 😜 That’s why I love doing this ladder stitch so much. I even made some more embroidery work with it. Have a look at some of my Herringbone ladder stitch patterns,
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is The Herringbone Ladder Stitch Different From The Regular Herringbone Stitch?
The main difference lies in its structure. While the traditional herringbone stitch creates a V-shape pattern along the fabric, the ladder stitch creates a ladder-like effect where stitches interlace between two lines of stitching, creating a more intricate, laddered design.
Do I Need To Mark My Fabric Before Stitching?
Yes! Marking your fabric with quadrants or reference points helps you maintain symmetry and ensures that your stitches match up as you move around the circle or design. Marking the center of each circle and the North, South, East, and West points is a good strategy.
What Kind Of Thread Should I Use?
Use a sturdy embroidery thread like cotton floss or tapestry thread for the best results. Tapestry needles with blunt ends are recommended to prevent the thread from getting caught in the fabric.
End
So yeah that’s how I crack the tricky Herringbone ladder stitch code.
If I can, you can do it too.
Do it and share your work with us!
We love to hear from you.
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