In this post, I will show you how to do invisible stitching by hand (also known as ladder stitch or slip stitch) on your projects.
This type of stitch is one of the most common ways to close open seams either on linings, toys, pillows, or even reusable sponges like I am doing in this demonstration.
Once you know how to use this technique you will be able to use it all the time.
And with practice, it will be super fast to do too.
Let’s learn this next: How to use the rolled hem foot, the easy way.
I use the invisible stitching seam all the time.
And you should too.
It is a very easy stitch to do by hand and a fairly fun way to close your open seams.
In this post, I will also show you a trick on how to do invisible stitching on curves.
Something that is not that easy to do without my secret tip, and will also work with straight seams.
How do you do an Invisible Stitch?
In order to close an open seam without visible seams on the outside, you have to use the invisible stitch.
To achieve this you will need to make sure that the seam allowance of your project is folded inside.
Also, that is following the line of the original machine stitch.
Then, you will thread a needle and begin to form a “ladder” by going up and down to the folded edges of the open seam allowance.
When to use an invisible stitch?
Almost everywhere.
But for sure when you are sewing a project that will be fully closed.
This means that all the seams are going to be inside the sewing project, or in between their layers.
Here are some examples of projects in which I use an invisible or a ladder stitch to close open seams.
- Pillow covers
- Reusable sponges
- Toys
- Ripped clothes
- Bandannas for my dog
- To close the tops when I sew bias tape
- Bandanas for my hair
- DIY Scrunchies
- And so much more!!!
You can totally try these projects later but first, let’s see this famous stitching in action.
How to do invisible stitching
In this video, I am showing you how to close an opened seam on one of my reusable dish sponges.
This example could easily be anything else though.
Now, on this video, I didn’t press my seams because part of this has acrylic tulle fabric.
As we know, this kind of fabric can melt very easily.
But I strongly recommend that you press your seam allowances as you want them to be at the end.
Ps, you can also check the step by step pictures at the end of this section with the secret Trick to make all this easier!
The first thing to do is make a knot on your thread.
You can use a single thread or a double depending on what you are sewing.
For rough projects like this one, I like to use a double thread.
But If I were sewing, for example, the lining of a dress I will only use one thread, so it won’t show a lot.
And of course to make it less bulky.
Insert your needle through the inside of the open seam and take it out through one of the folds.
Now what you have to do is form a “ladder” by stitching with your needle.
You will have to pass it through the bottom fold to the left direction.
Then you will do the same on the top fold.
Keep doing that until you see a ladder like the one on the video.
When you get to the end pull your thread and see the magic happen.
Check it out.
Tips on how to do invisible stitching on curves.
Working an invisible stitch on a curve is much more difficult than doing it on a straight seam.
If you would try to turn inside out your project through a curve and then press that seam allowances in…
Well, it is not an easy thing to do. I am just saying.
That’s why I use this little trick called a basting stitch.
Ha! And you thought that we were only going to use one new stitch today.
I am on the basting stitch team, my friends.
It is also one of my favorite stitches. And you know why?
Because it is a lifesaver!!!
This is the stitch that prevents us to need to unstitch things!!
And in this case, it will help us to get a nice round and effortless invisible stitch.
Here is how.
The first thing to do is that even before you are going to close your sewing project you are going to determine where your opening will be.
Usually, we leave an opening of around 2″ or 2 ½” to turn our projects inside out.
So mark this distance on both layers of fabric either with pins or with a marker.
The important trick is that this space is exactly at the same point on both of each one of the layers you have.
Otherwise, it won’t work.
After you marked what will be your opened space, you will make a basting stitch on it. From point A to point B.
This basting stitch has to have the same seam allowance that your project will have.
Then sew around your project normally without passing over the basting stitches.
Turn it inside out and use the basting stitch to press evenly.
After the press, you can remove the basting stitches so they won’t show after.
If you need to you can clip the seam allowance to form a better curve.
Then follow the instructions above on how to do invisible stitching, and you are done!!
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Thanks for this instruction. It’s odd that I’ve never thought of doing the stitching through the seam allowance folds. Such a simple but effective change. And, doing a basting stitch to mark the seam line on a curve is genius.
Thank you Eilea! Yes, it’s super simple! and a very nice way to finish open seams.
Thanks for this instruction. It’s odd that I’ve never thought of doing the stitching through the seam allowance folds. Such a simple but effective change. And, doing a basting stitch to mark the seam line on a curve is genious.