The blanket stitch, as its name suggests, typically edges blankets and other edges such as tablecloths, runners, even wool jackets. It is one of the basic embroidery stitches and is the best-known looped embroidery stitch, also called the Spaced Buttonhole Stitch because it is very similar to a Buttonhole Stitch. Not only does blanket stitch embroidery make nice edges and borders, it outlines and fills shapes.
The blanket stitch is part of the looped stitch embroidery family, stitches where the thread loops around the needle. In the nineteenth century, the buttonhole stitch was popular to stitch on the edge of household linens. Generally, when blanket stitch is an edge stitch, you do not need to use frames or hoops..
Blanket Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
The blanket stitch is perfect as an edging or appliqué stitch. It also can be a filler stitch when lines of stitching are stacked on each other.
Our step-by-step tutorial with photos shows you how to make this embroidery stitch both as an appliqué edge stitch, as well as a decorative stitch.
Materials
- Fabric with embroidery design
- OPTIONAL: Fabric with an edge that is ready to be bound with hand blanket stitch embroidery
- OPTIONAL: fabric to be appliqued using the blanket stitch
- Embroidery thread of your choice for your project
- Embroidery thread. Perle cotton is used in this tutorial
Tools
- Embroidery needle to suit your thread
- Embroidery hoop, optional
- Thimble, optional (I like to use a thimble for my embroidery projects)
- Embroidery scissors
Instructions
- Blanket stitch embroidery is generally worked left to right. Bring your thread up at A, down at B and back up at C, which is just left of where you originally brought up your thread. Pull the thread through . This will start your stitching.
- Next, insert your needle at D, bringing it back out at E and looping your thread under the needle when you bring it up. Pull gently, and encourage the thread to lay flat on your line (or edge of your fabric if you are using it as an appliqué stitch).
- Now for the next stitch. Again, insert your needle at F, bring it back up at G and loop your thread under the needle to form the line and pull gently so your thread lays flat.
- The finished sample of the stitch as a line or border. I used a Frixion pen to make my marks on my fabric. In the image below, I removed my marks so you can see the stitch. Always check a sample of your fabric with your preferred marking method before starting.
- Using this stitch as a border is similar, but you line up your loops along the edge of the fabric, as shown below.
- And, here is the final sample using the blanket stitch as a finishing stitch for an edging.
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Here is another sample of the blanket stitch, showing appliqué and straight line uses.
Check out all of the embroidery projects on Create Whimsy!
