I came to Grandma’s house and saw some stitches looking like overcast and blanket stitches. 🤔 I asked her what it is. She said this is whip stitch.
Whipstitch kind of looks like a blanket stitch but it is mostly invisible.
Umm! Tell me how to whip stitch hand sewing then?
She said well-
Whip Stitch
To whip stitch by hand, simply sew over the edge of two pieces of fabric with a needle and thread in a spiral pattern, creating evenly spaced diagonal stitches.
Let’s discuss more about it and get to know this types of stitches a little bit more.
A glance at what Grandma taught me:
- Tie a knot at the end of the thread.
- Ensure the needle is perpendicular (90° angle).
- Tuck visible knots into the seam or trim them close for a clean finish.
Table of Contents
What Is A Whip Stitch?
A whip stitch sewing is a stitch in which you loop the thread over the edge of the fabric in a spiral motion to join two pieces or to finish raw edges.
It’s like wrapping the thread around the fabric’s edge again and again. It is super handy for closing seams, fixing tears, or stitching softies. I use it when I want a quick, secure finish that also looks neat.
Whip Stitch Vs Blanket Stitch
There is a misconception about both stitches. Because they look the same from afar, a newbie thinks they’re the same. But that’s not the case.
Whipstitch is wrapped around & blanket stitch is a straight line stitch. Rather than that, there are more areas where they differ,
| Feature | Whipping Stitch | Blanket Stitch |
| Look | Simple, slanted stitches wrapping the edge | Decorative with a straight line and loops |
| Purpose | Joining fabrics or closing seams | Edging blankets or decorative finishing |
| Use Case | Soft toys, hemming, patch repair | Blankets, felt crafts, decorative borders |
| Style | Clean and minimal | Stylish and visible |
What Does A Whip Stitch Look Like?
The whip stitch looks like a thread whipped around the fabric’s edge. That’s where it gets its name from.
It sometimes gets compared to slip stitch sewing, but it’s not the same. You simply whip stitch by hand with your needle over the edge, pulling it through to the other side, and boom, you have a strong, neat finish. It’s perfect when you want your stitches to stay hidden but still hold things together.
Whip Stitch Picture/What Does A Whip Stitch Look Like
I know even if I write 1000 of 1000 words explaining their looks. Some things will surely slip through your mind. Or you won’t exactly get what I am talking about. So here are some pictures of the whip stitch. You won’t be confused after this, for sure.
How To Whip Stitch Hand Sewing?
To whip stitch hand sewing you need to follow 4 steps:
- Secure Your Thread
- Push The Needle Right Angle
- Grab Two To Three Threads Of The Fabric
- Finish Whip Stitch
Now let’s learn how to whip stitch in detail.
Secure Your Thread For Whip Stitch
To secure your thread tie a knot at the end of the embroidery thread and push the needle ⅛ inch above from the layers of fabric As if you are doing it in a hemming stitch and go all the way to the end this will secure the matching thread between 2 layers. This will help you to do a straight stitch.
Ok but tell me what size thread do I need?
Well there is no specific thread length. However, it is good to get a thread size 2.5 times the length to be sewn, maybe more.
Push The Needle Right Angle
Push the sewing needle over the raw edges to the right side, either straight across or at a diagonal about 3/8” away, depending on your chosen method. Insert your needle ¼” from the raw edge. Just like doing tacking stitch.
If you’re doing straight whip hand-sewing stitches, move your needle at a diagonal through the inside to your next exit point, which is 3/8” away and ¼” down.
Move your needle straight across to exit ¼” down from the raw edge for a diagonal whip stitch. It’s better to do diagonal rather than horizontal stitches like doing cross stitches.
Grab Two To Three Threads Of The Fabric
Grab 2\3 threads of the fabric, then go through the edge of the fold. Keep doing this stitch for seams as you move up the fabric. You can do it while doing it stitch tent.
Remember to keep your needle perpendicular ( 90° angle ) like saddle stitch.
Take a small fold, a small bite, go through the fold, and pull through. This will create a line of slanted stitches. This step reminds me of overcast stitch hand sewing.
Length For Whip Stitch
Make sure to maintain the right length of whip stitch-
Typically, whip stitches are about ¼ to ⅛ inch long (0.3 cm to 0.6 cm). The spacing between stitches should match the size of your project. Small projects need small stitches, and larger projects can handle bigger ones. Just remember, if your stitches are too far apart, the stuffing in felt crafts might start to come out.
⅕ inch is the perfect length of whip stitch.
As you continue, make sure your needle stays perpendicular. Secure your thread, then take a small bite out of your fabric, about two or three threads, and keep going with the stitch for sewing. You do use the back stitch technique here.
Finish Whip Stitch
To finish up your whip stitch, secure your thread by looping the needle under the last embroidery stitch or making a small knot on the backside of the fabric. Trim the excess thread close to the fabric. Leaving a tiny tail to prevent unraveling a series of stitches.
Give the fabric a gentle tug to check that all stitches are secure and the seam or edge looks tidy with a simple hand stitch. If you have visible knots on the outside, carefully tuck them into the seam or trim with sharp scissors, close to the fabric for a clean finish. This ensures your simple stitch is neatly completed and your project is well-finished like darning by hand.
Watch The Tutorial
2 Stitches You Need to Know: Whip and Fell Stitch
How To Do A Whip Stitch Suture?
To do a whip stitch suture, start by inserting the needle about a quarter inch from the wound edge. Passing it over the wound to the opposite side, and repeating this alternating pattern until the wound is closed. Each decorative stitch should secure a small amount of tissue on both sides to ensure a secure closure with purpose thread.
You would resolve those issues with pick stitch. Finish by tying off with a knot. Proper technique and adherence to medical guidelines are crucial for effective wound closure and healing. That’s how to end a whip stitch easily.
How Far Apart Should Whip Stitches Be?
The spacing of whip stitches depends on what you’re working on, the type of fabric, and how you like it to look.
Some people say you should keep them about a quarter of an inch(0.25) apart, while others prefer to space them evenly.
For specific sewing techniques, stitches are usually placed closer together, about 10 to 12 per inch. It all boils down to what works best for your project and your style.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
Is Mattress Stitch The Same As Whip Stitch?
No, mattress stitch and whip stitch are different sewing techniques used for distinct purposes. Mattress stitch is commonly used in sewing and knitting to join two pieces of fabric or knitted panels with nearly invisible seams.
What Is The Difference Between A Whip Stitch And A Blanket Stitch?
The main difference between a whip stitch and a blanket stitch lies in their purpose and appearance. A whip stitch is used for joining fabric or finishing edges with diagonal stitches that loop over the fabric edge. It’s straightforward and functional. A blanket stitch is decorative and used mainly for edging fabrics or felt, creating a line of perpendicular stitches with evenly spaced gaps, resembling teeth.
Now It’s Your Turn
So I show you how to whip stitch hand sewing. Now it’s your turn to try it out and share with us if you succeed or not. And if you got stuck then fell free to reach out to sewing inspo.
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