When I first saw the ladder hemstitch, I thought, “Wait, is this some 90s nostalgia creeping in?” 😅 It has that vibe, right? The sleek, structured lines and that distinct look kind of like the signature style of designers back then.
But here’s the kicker: It’s not a 90s revival at all! It’s actually a traditional technique known as the ladder stitch. 🙌 Turns out, this stitch has been around for ages, long before those bold, geometric 90s patterns made their mark. It is done by,
Ladder Hem
lock the needle under 6 threads, then bring it up a few threads down to create and secure each “rung” of the ladder.
What do you think? Would you rock this in today’s designs?
Table of Contents
How To Do Ladder Hem Stitch By Hand?
A ladder hem stitch is a hand sewing technique used to close gaps in fabric by creating a series of stitches. It resembles a ladder’s rungs. A ladder hem stitch is usually used in tarkashi embroidery.
Doing it is also easy. I am saying this because I have tried it. Wanna see how I do this ladder stitch? Let’s go sewinginspo readers.
Take your tarkashi fabric piece and tie it with the embroidery hoop. The hoop makes doing ladder stitching easy.
Lock your needle in the font side of the Tarkashi embroidery. Take the needle behind & slide the needle under the 6 threads, and pull it until it’s locking the 6 threads together. I’ve just laid the first “rung” of your ladder.
Take the needle back behind the same 6-stand thread.
Bring it up into the fabric, a few threads down the edge, and push the needle. Pull the thread, though, until it locks the 6 threads completely. This will look like a ladder rong locking the steps.
Keep repeating this rhythm throughout the whole design. Done? Great?
Now, the same thing applies to the other side of the Ladder hem stitch pattern.
Ladder Hem Stitch Embroidery
So, I tried my hand at the ladder hem stitch embroidery, and wow, it turned out to be such a fun and rewarding technique! At first, I wasn’t sure about the whole “90s vibe” it gave off.
But once I started stitching, I realized there’s so much beauty in its simplicity. So I tried a lot more. Here is a stunning handcraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Best Way To Practice The Ladder Hem Stitch?
Start with a small piece of fabric and practice making even, straight stitches. Focus on keeping your stitch lengths consistent to get that “ladder” effect. Once you feel comfortable, try it on a project where you can use it as a border or detail.
Can I Combine Ladder Hem Stitch With Other Embroidery Techniques?
Absolutely! The ladder hem stitch works wonderfully with other stitches like French knots, satin stitch, or even simple backstitch. Mixing it with other techniques can give your work an even more intricate and personalized look.
Outro
So yeah, that’s how you can bring a 90s look with ladder hem stitch. It wasn’t just about hemming anymore. It was about creating something with history and elegance woven into every thread. I could see how this stitch could elevate anything, from simple garments to intricate decorative pieces.
Leave a Reply