How do you sew a blanket stitch?

Sewing a blanket stitch involves hand-sewing one piece of fabric on top of another piece. The stitch is decorative, takes only a few minutes to complete, and is best for fabrics that do not ravel. A sharp hand-sewing needle, fabrics, and thread or embroidery floss are needed.

1. Prepare the fabrics

   The blanket stitch typically is used to appliqué decorative items on top of another piece of fabric, such as flowers on a quilt. Place the item to be appliquéd on top of the larger item, and use a straight pin to hold the smaller item in place.

2. Bring up the needle

   Thread the hand-sewing needle with sewing thread or embroidery floss, and tie a knot in the end of the thread. Bring the needle from the back of the fabric to the front until the knot stops at the back. The needle should come up only through the bottom layer of fabric.

3. Determine the stitch size

   Choose how far apart and how tall to create the blanket stitches. A distance and height of one-eighth inch to one-fourth inch is appropriate for most projects, and the stitch looks best when the dimensions are uniform across the piece.

4. Complete the blanket stitch

   If the stitches are to be one-fourth inch apart and tall, insert the needle's point one-fourth inch to the right and one-fourth inch in from the edge of the top fabric. Do not pull the thread through yet. Bring the needle from the back to the front, coming through the bottom layer of the fabric straight across from where the needle entered the top layer. Working on the top of the fabric, slide the thread under the needle, and pull the needle until the thread is taut.