At Nestling Keepsakes we hand sew invisible ladder stitches (also called blind stitches) to finish all of our memory bears. It's a great way to hide your stitches and create a nearly invisible seam closure. You can do it too!
- Thread your needle and make a double knot the other end. We're using a contrasting thread here so it's easier for you to see, but you'll want to use a thread that matches your fabric.
- Hide the knot inside the seam allowance by starting your first stitch from the wrong side of the fabric.
- Stitch into the right side of the fabric opposite, parallel to the edge, picking up a small amount of fabric before poking the needle back out.
- Repeat, stitching into the other side of the fabric, running parallel along the seam. Hold the seam closed evenly - no slipping or bunching!
- Continue to the end of the seam, forming a series of stitches that look like a ladder. Keep your tension tight enough to hide the stitches, but not so tight as to pucker the fabric.
- Insert your needle under your last stitch and come back out, then pull your thread tight through the thread loop you created. Repeat for a double knot. Insert your needle into the seam right next to the knot and push your needle through the item, and coming out in the middle somewhere. Pull tight and trim the end of your thread.
