Thursday, June 14, 2012

Hand Sewing a Blanket Stitch


A blanket stitch is more than to trim a blanket. You can use a blanket stitch to place Yo-yos on a garment or quilt, etc.
 
To get started you will need a needle, thread and a small pair of scissors to cut the thread.  First, on the backside of the fabric anchor the thread so the needle will come out of the fabric on the edge.





Place the needle in the inner area of the blanket stitch, bringing the point of the needle out at the edge of the fabric.  Loop the thread behind the point of the needle.  Pull the needle through the fabric allowing the edge thread to loop on the edge of the fabric. 

  

Repeat to continue sewing the edge you want covered with a blanket stitch.  The depth of the stitch into the fabric and the spacing between stitches are important to provide a uniform blanket stitch.

  

On the last stitch where you started stitching, bring the point of the needle out at the edge where the first stitch was sewn.  Form your last stitch and bring the needle to the back of the fabric.  

 
Knot the thread on the back of the fabric to anchor and secure the thread when finished.

This is what it looks like finished.
 
You can experiment with embroidery floss, metallic threads and fancy threads or use yarn on a fleece blanket to embellish the edge.  You can vary the depth of the stitches in a pattern to create a different effect.
When sewing yo-yos with a blanket stitch: experiment with the depth of the stitches to create different edges on the yo-yos or changing the depth will change the amount of flatness on the edge of the yo-yo. Options are to sew a button or decorative bead in the middle of the yo-yo with the same thread that you are using to edge to yo-yo. Besides you can experiment on gingham fabric to practice making even.

Have fun and if you want more interesting information check out http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/ss/blanketstitch_4.htm.
Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net.    I look forward to hearing from you!

Sandi



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