How to Sew a Blanket Stitch and When to Use it

I like to use a blanket stitch on the edges of unruly fabrics to keep them together and reinforce my seams.

Despite the name "blanket," it's not a stitch for all occasions nor does it cover everything. That said, it's a useful stitch to know and can absolutely save you in a pinch.

This stitch can be used for things like attaching patches to fabric, but its most useful application comes around when working with fabrics that fray. I like to use a blanket stitch on the edges of unruly fabrics to keep them together and reinforce my seams.

First, you need to prep your project. Cut out any patterns and pin together any fabric you want to attach. You may want to sketch guide marks onto your fabric before you begin.

• Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. I usually leave a 1" tail.
• Pierce the fabric upwards from the bottom, pulling the needle until the thread knot reaches the fabric. Be careful not to pull it through.

This stitch is built on a grid. Picture points along a top and bottom row.

Sew downward into the bottom row grid point and upward through the top. Before you sew into the next bottom grid point, catch the thread like you're trying to create a loose knot. The trick is to catch the thread for a loose knot on each stitch.

When your stitch is finished, tie a knot and trim the excess fabric and needle from your project.

And be sure to check out my other stitch guides like how to sew running stitches, whip stitches, and backstitches.