How To Hand Sew A Blanket Stitch? [Blanket Stitch Step By Step With Pictures]

I just saw my blanket raw edge come off. I didn’t want to throw it away, as it is my favourite blanket. That’s when the sewing blanket stitches came to my mind.

-Just it, Grandma?

-No, There is more to the process. Stay with me to learn how to sew a blanket stitch?

Blanket Stitch Step By Step With Pictures At A Glance

If you want to see the blanket stitch process in images then here you go.This will give you a glance at the definition of blanket stitch.

I have describe the whole process in the below. The blanket stitch picture may not be enough.

Get ready for a fun, engaging read—just like the joy of stitching each thread into place.

How To Hand Sew A Blanket Stitch?

To hand sew a blanket stitch, follow 7 steps.

-Let me show blanket sewing projects.

1. Blanket Stitch Starting Process
2. Thread The Needle
3. Stick The Needle
4. Continue The Blanket Stitch
5. Decide The Blanket Stitch Shape
6. Stitch According To The Shape
7. End Blanket Stitch

First, decide if you want to make a blanket stitch by hand from left to right or right to left.

-Which way do you start, Grandma?

Either way, you can do a blanket decorative stitch to join 2 pieces together with embroidery hoops. This makes it easy to do blanket stitch to join two pieces together.

 Thread your 12 size needle with Valdani Perle cotton thread and tie a knot at the end of your thread. Just like you would do it while doing an hand overcast stitch. Push the thread through the needle’s head to thread it.

– How do you thread a needle for blanket stitch, Grandma?

-Just thread your needle useal the way. Then grab other blanket stitch sewing tools.

Then, stick the needle through the pieces of fabric at a 45-degree angle from the back to the front.  This needle angle is also required in doing slip stitches.

If you’re sewing stitch 1 layer leave the knot on the back. If it’s 2 layers, hide the knot between them. This way, your stitches will look neat with the knot tucked inside. Just like the back stitch would look.

 After completing your first true blanket stitch, move a bit to the right (or left if you’re sewing stitches in the opposite direction).

If you insert the needle at 45 degrees in the upper end of the line, it will come out directly below the lower line.

Pull the needle through the loose loop that’s formed at a depth of 1\4 inches raw.

The loop should be underneath, with your thread coming out over the top. That’s your first proper blanket stitch done.

That’s the starting point of hand stitched blanket, so make sure to do it the right way.

Keep going by moving to the right and inserting the needle at the upper end of the line again.

-Which shape do you normally use, Grandma?

Then, keeping that shape in mind, pull your extra thread sthrough the loop. Just maintain a 5 mm distance between. After poking the needle down, draw it through the loop as usual. That’s your corner stitch complete. This will help you do sewing a straight line by hand.

If maintaining the space is tricky, use a blanket stitch template.

Push the thread through vertically on the next edge. You can either use the same hole as the corner stitch and the last one on the previous edge or make a new one. It’s up to you. Continue it until you are done.

Now, it’s time to end the blanket stitch perfectly. To finish the blanket hand stitch, first, go under the first stitch, and gently pull the floss. Then, go under the horizontal (360 degree)  part of the stitch and tug the floss up.

Tighten the knot gently. However, don’t make too much thread tight. To hide the floss end, run the needle down between the 2 fabric pieces. 

Then, bring it up through the top fabric, a little away from the stitching. Finally, cut the excess thread, and the end is hidden between the fabric layers. That’s how do you secure a blanket stitch.  And that’s it! You have got a beautiful blanket stitch. 

Are you curious to learn more about stitching techniques? Then read out our sewing technique of how to sew a buttonhole by hand.

Blanket Stitch Step By Step With Pictures Pdf

I explained the process in detail but if you wanna see those steps virtually then here is a pdf of the step-by-step process.

For blanket stitch pick a size 24 chenille or embroidery needle, as they’re sharp and glide smoothly. But that also depends on the blanket stitch pattern.

Choose thicker embroidery thread, like yarn or embroidery floss. Only 2 strands of embroidery floss are enough for a blanket project.

-ok, Grandma, I got it.  But what needle and thread do you use normally?

– How do you thread a needle for blanket stitch, Grandma?

-Just thread the needle in use in ways I have already taught you. 

Blanket Stitch Thumb Guide

If you are new to stitching, then maintaining the right gap between them is tricky, right? No worries, the thump guide got you back. A blanket stitch thumb guide is a small, protective tool for hand-sewing projects. This will help you do the perfect blanket stitch by hand.

How To Sew A Blanket Stitch By Hand Video?

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Another Way To Use A Blanket Stitch

There aren’t a lot of options to do blanket stitch on embroidery. But still, there are few works on decorative blanket stitching.

1. Secure the fabric in the embroidery hoop so it’s tight but not overstretched.
2. Lightly draw the flower outline with petals using a pencil or fabric marker.
3. Cut about 18 inches of embroidery floss.
4. Separate strands if you want a finer stitch (use 3 strands for medium thickness).
5. Thread the needle and tie a small knot at the end to secure the floss.

11. For the flower interior, you can add extra lines or leave it blank, depending on the design.
12. Once a petal is complete, tie off the thread on the fabric’s backside by making a small knot.
13. Trim excess thread and move on to the next petal, repeating the process.

7. This secures the first stitch.
8. Continue stitching along the edge.
9. Pull gently to tighten the loop, ensuring the thread sits neatly on the fabric’s edge.
10. Repeat the process, spacing your stitches evenly along the edge.
11. At the end of the edge, secure the thread by tying a small knot on the fabric’s backside.
12. Trim any excess thread.

6. Insert the needle down through both fabric layers about 1/8 inch from the edge (Point A), keeping the thread loop under the needle.
7. Pull the thread tight to create a neat loop around the edge of the fabric.
8. Move a short distance along the edge and insert the needle down through both layers (Point B), again keeping the thread under the needle to form the loop.
9. Repeat along the entire edge, keeping stitches evenly spaced for a consistent look.
10. When you reach the end, tie a small knot on the inside of the fabric to secure the thread.

3. Insert the needle at the corner point (where the 2 edges meet). Make a stitch perpendicular to the one before it. Pull the thread through to form a loop around the corner.
4. To secure the corner, insert the needle back into the same hole at the corner point, forming a second loop. This creates a clean, reinforced stitch at the corner.
5. Rotate the fabric slightly to work along the next edge.
6. Start the first stitch on the new edge by inserting the needle a short distance from the corner, keeping the thread under the needle to form a loop.
7. Continue blanket stitching along the new edge as you did previously, maintaining even spacing and tension.

Practice With Blanket Stitch Variations

-Thank you for teaching me blanket stitch, grandma. But I read in practical embroidery that there are 22 types of blanket stitch. Is that true?

-Those are just an idea. It can be more depending on your skill. But as a beginner, you can practice with-

The whipped blanket stitch is great for adding borders. You can use the same color for the whipping to make horizontal lines pop or mix it up with contrasting colors for a cool two-tone effect. You can even do tacking stitch by hand. If you’re into quilting, the closed blanket stitch is your go-to. It gives edges a clean finish, hiding any wonky cuts like a champ. Feeling fancy? Try the crossed blanket stitch for some decorative flair.

Blanket Stitch Applique

Blanket stitch is not just for blankets. Once you become an expert, you can even make beautiful applique with it.

– how do you hand sew a blanket stitch applique, Grandma?

-That’s easy. To hand sew a blanket stitch appliqué, first, cut out your shape and pin it onto the fabric. Thread your needle, knot the end, and start stitching by bringing the needle up through the fabric’s edge and then back down. Before pulling tight, pass the needle through the loop to secure the stitch.

Repeat this process, spacing your stitches evenly until you’ve outlined the entire shape. Finish with a final stitch and knot on the wrong side of the fabric.

Here are a few of my blanket stitch applique works:

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thought

Thanks, Grandma, for teaching me how to hand sew a blanket stitch. 

I think now I can do blanket stitching occasionally.

However, if you are still in doubt, feel free to reach out to us.

We will answer your question.