Ladder Stitch - 3 Types (Step By Step Tutorial With Pictures) - SewGuide (original) (raw)

Ladder stitch, as its name suggests, looks like a ladder. The ladder stitch, often likened to a surgical suture, offers a nearly invisible seam, making it popular for a lot of your projects. In sewing, it can be done in 3 ways and for different purposes.

The three most commonly used Ladder stitches are as outlined below. The first one is a very useful stitch as a blind (invisible) joining stitch and the other two are decorative embroidery stitches.

Decorative ladder stitches

Invisible Ladder Stitch

The invisible ladder stitch is used for joining two fabric edges very finely and inconspicuously – the ladder stitch looks almost invisible between the fabric edges.

If you have a tear in a couch seam and you cannot reach the back of the seam to sew it with a machine this is the stitch used.

The stitches will look like as in the diagram below

Keep the fabric edges together, with the folded edges facing each other.

Start from one side with the knot on the back. Go to the other fabric edge and take a small vertical stitch on the inside of the fold of the fabric edge.

Bring up the needle and thread from the back of one fold and then take a vertical stitch along the fold on the other side

And then go to the other fold of fabric to take another stitch, the same way.

Take another vertical stitch along the other side fold

Make more stitches like this, going back and forth, tightening the stitches as you go, so that the gap between is reduced to nothing.

You can use this stitch to sew tucks in fabric – follow the pictures given below

Open Chain stitch

This beautiful and very simple stitch is a variation of the Chain stitch and is also known by names like Ladder Stitch, Roman Chain Stitch, and Square Chain Stitch. It looks really like a ladder and is a favorite stitch for borders.

This stitch is made between two parallel lines, imaginary or drawn. I like to draw to be sure that ladder looks straight, not skewed.

Step 1

Bring up the needle from the back at point A; Create a loop and insert the needle at B on the same level.

Step 2

Bring up the needle at C above A at the same time catching the loop

Step 4

Insert the needle at D again creating a loop, then come up at the same time at a point above C, at E
Repeat the steps to create more loops like this and end with two straight stitches at the end of the chain

Herringbone Ladder Stitch

This is a type of weaving stitch. A herringbone stitch is woven through two parallel back stitch lines.

Check out the post on back stitch if you do not know how to make this stitch. It is a beautiful border stitch. You can also use it as a filling stitch

Step 1
We need to stitch two parallel lines first.Draw the lines so that one line is 1/4 inch distant from the other.

Stitch the parallel lines with back stitches which are 1/4 inches in length; you can stitch them closer if you want a closer effect.

Ensure that junctions between the stitches are not simultaneous in the two lines.Look at the picture below on how you should be making the back stitches

Step 2

Thread a contrasting coloured thread on your needle. Bring out the needle from the start of the back stitch
Insert the needle under the first stitch from outside. Donot pierce the fabric.Continue to the first stitch on the other side. Make a loop and go to the stitch on the other sideline.

Step 3
Continue doing this till the whole line is filled with loops of herringbone stitches.

Things to take care of before sewing the Ladder stitches

Shifting of the fabric edges are a problem when making this stitch continously. Use a pin to hold the two pieces of fabric together as you work the ladder stitch. And before starting the ladder stitch, ironing your fabric can make it easier to see and sew the stitch line.

   The ladder stitch is especially useful when closing the opening of a stuffed toy, as it creates a nearly invisible seam that doesn't detract from the toy's appearance. For stuffed toys, fabrics like cotton, plush, and velour are commonly used. A sharp, medium-sized needle, often referred to as a sharps needle is used to sew the ladder stitches here.

   Sharps needles are medium in length, slender, and have a rounded eye. They can be used to make these stitches.

   Ensure you've left an adequate seam allowance. You need this periphery to ensure that your ladder stitch has enough stability