How To Sew A Slip Stitch By Hand

Sewing is an art that makes you capable of making things beautiful and functional. If you ever plan to start sewing, there are plenty of things that you need to learn to master this art. With the inclusion of the sewing machine, things have become more comfortable and quicker for the people. Yet, hand stitching has its own prominence and elegance.

Several hand-stitching techniques will help you widen your knowledge and expand your sewing expertise. One such crucial hand-sewing method is a slip stitch. This type of stitch is ideally used to close an opening in the fabric or garment. It is generally used to stitch that cannot be seen or to close an opening.

In this article, you will get to learn more about slip stitch and how you can create the best slip stitch. Without further ado, let’s get into the details.

How To Sew A Slip Stitch By Hand

Start from one side of closure and put the needle inside one fold and take it out from the other. Insert the needle back and take it towards the midpoint of the closure. Pull out the thread until the knot is completely hidden. Now start from opposite of the fold and begin stitching with 1/4″ seam. Repeat the stitch along with the fabric until the opening closes.

Step-By-Step Guide To Sew A Slip Stitch

Popularly known as ladder stitch or invisible stitch, a slip stitch is used to close an opening band finishing a fabric. You must use a slip stitch to sew something that you don’t want to be revealed. Generally, a slip stitch is used to close an opening, hem a garment, mend a seam, apply applique, close pillow or stuffed toys, attach the binding, and many such stitching requirements.

Let’s get into the steps to sew a slip stitch-:

Step – 1 Gather Supplies

Before starting the stitch, it is essential to get hands-on all the vital supplies that you would require in the stitching process. Here are a few things that you would need to make a slip stitch-:

• Needle
• Scissors
• Thread
• Iron (optional)

Use a thread that matches your fabric in order to give a seamless finish.

Step 2 – Thread Your Needle

The next step is to thread your needle to start stitching. Double up your thread and at the end tie knot to secure the thread.

Step 3 – Check The Closure

This is one of the crucial steps that everyone often misses during the stitching process. You need to prepare the closure. You need to fold the fabric inside the closure to create an opening. Either finger press it or use an iron to get a flat fold.

Step 4 – Hiding The Knot

The first step for a slip stitch is to hide the knot. Start from a side of the closure and take the needle out through the other end of the fold. Pull the thread to hide the knot.

Step 5 – One Side Slip Stitch

Start your slip-stitching from one side by bringing the needle from the opposite fold from where you hid the knot. Take the needle out from the needle; keep a distance of 1/4″ or less between the stitches. Make sure not to catch the outside of the fabric when you are stitching.

Step 6 – Slip Stitch From Opposite

Repeat the same processes with the opposite side of the fabric to complete your slip stitches.

Step 7 – Continue Slip Stitches

You must keep sewing a few stitches further. Keep stitching till you near the end of the other side of the fabric. The stitches look like ladder rungs.

Step 8 – Knot The Thread

When you reach the end of the closure, you must tie the knot of your thread to secure it. Take a small amount of fabric from inside the fold with the needle. Pull out the thread to create a knot. To make a more secure hold, you can make a double knot.

Step 9 – Finish The Stitch

The last step is to trim the thread to close the knot finally. To ensure the stitch, take a peek inside the closure to see the stitches are fine and are not coming out. It is also essential to use the same colored thread to ensure a sleek finish.

Step 10 – Press The Stitch

You can use an iron or just your fingers to press down the seam and make it more secure. It will give a crisp and finished look to your fabric.

If you follow the above mentioned steps diligently, you can get a seamless slip stitch to make your fabrics look smooth and efficient.

What Are The Major Uses of Slip Stitches

Slip stitches are the most practical type of stitches that you can use to make your seam invisible. There are plenty of other uses of slip stitches as well that you must be aware about. It is not just closing the opening in a fabric, a slip stitch can also be used for decorative purposes as well.

Take a look at some amazing uses of slip stitches-:

Creating Patterns

The slip stitch is one of the underestimated stitching techniques that is not used in daily stitching needs. Though they don’t catch much attention, they are capable of creating some enticing visuals. You can use slip stitches for lacy patterns or anchor the chain stitches. Conventional mesh and net patterns can also be made beautiful with a slip stitch.

Connecting

Another significant use of slip stitch is connection; it is one of the brilliant connecting or anchor stitches that can always save your time and efforts. For instance, when you are crocheting, you would need slip stitching to finish your work. This can be used in hats, boots, cuffs, etc.

Moving

The transition from one part of your sewing to the other would require efficiency and a smooth finish. That’s where a slip stitch can help you out. You need to make a line of stitches similar to the crocheting seam. One of the vital pieces of advice that you must take into consideration while using slip stitches for transitioning is to keep the stitch loose. Tight slip stitches might develop thread cracks creating inefficiencies in your sewing.

Why Use A Slip Stitch

Every stitching technique has its prominence that cannot be replaced by the other. The slip stitch is also a distinctive stitch that cannot be substituted by any different stitching technique. The slip stitch is ideally used to close the opening in the fabric. It is quite hard to close such an opening that is in the middle of the fabric. That’s where a slip stitch can help you. Creating a seamless stitching work and leaving no trails behind, a slip stitch can do wonders on your fabric. All you need to do is master the right techniques to do a slip stitch and make your fabric look seamless.

Related Questions

Can You Slip Stitch on Sewing Machine

Many hand-stitching techniques can be done on sewing machines, but a slip stitch is not among them. Hand slip stitch, also called ladder stitch, needs the expertise of hands instead of the automation of machines. The slip stitch is used to close seams or openings that is not possible with a sewing machine. So, no, you cannot do a slip stitch on the sewing machine.

What Does A Slip Stitch Look Like

Plenty of amateurs ask this question, “what does a slip stitch look like.” Basically, a slip stitch is a seamless stitch that gives a look of the seam without any visible threads. Each stitch is done under the fabric that gives it a finished look. You can use a slip stitch to close the opening in stuffed toys, apparel lining, mitered corners. You may have to double up the thread according to your fabric choice. It is also essential to choose your thread wisely in order to make your stitch look seamless and invisible from outside.