• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Red Poppy logo
  • Cricut
    • Free SVG Files
    • Paper Flowers
    • Mandala
    • Iron-On
    • Vinyl
    • Maker
    • Explore Air 2
    • Joy
  • Sewing
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Accessories
    • Christmas
    • Blankets
    • Womens
    • Learn to Sew Tips & Tricks
    • Face Masks
  • DIY Crafting
    • Paint
    • Paper
    • Food
    • Kids
  • Holiday Crafts
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Books
    • Cricut Printed Book
    • Cricut E-Book
    • Cricut Joy Printed Book
    • Cricut Joy E-Book
    • Sewing Printed Book
    • Sewing E-Book
    • Face Mask E-Book
    • Mandala E-Book Bundle
    • Mandala E-Book - Inkscape
    • Mandala E-Book - Adobe Illustrator
    • Mandala Printed Book - Inkscape
    • Mandala Printed Book - Adobe Illustrator
    • Baby Pattern E-Book
  • Courses
    • Cricut Course
    • Sewing Course
    • Serger Course
  • Shop
    • E-Books
    • Printed Books
    • Sewing Patterns
    • SVG Files
    • Baby Patterns
    • Subscribe to Emails
  • Search

Ladder Stitch Tutorial: How to Sew an Invisible Stitch

Written by Kimberly Coffin · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

159 shares

The ladder stitch, or invisible stitch, is one of the most versatile hand sewing stitches. Learn how easy it is to sew with my step-by-step ladder stitch tutorial.

The ladder stitch, which is also known as the invisible stitch, blind stitch, and slip stitch, is my most-used hand sewing stitch. This stitch comes in handy for a lot of different projects, even if you don't do much hand sewing.

how to sew a ladder stitch

Today, I'll show you how to sew this versatile hand stitch so that you can add another useful technique to your sewing skill toolbox.

Table of Contents

  • What is a Ladder Stitch
  • How to Use a Ladder Stitch (5 Project Ideas)
  • Supplies to Sew a Ladder Stitch
  • Step 1: Knot and Start the Seam
  • Step 2: Sew the Ladder Stitch Seam
  • Step 3: Knot and Finish the Ladder Stitch
  • Tips For Sewing a Professional Invisible Stitch

What is a Ladder Stitch

So, what is a ladder stitch? This hand sewing stitch is unique because it can be sewn from the right side of a project, creating an invisible seam. This makes it very useful for areas of a project that can't be sewn from the wrong side of the fabric.

hand sewing ladder stitch tutorial

The name "ladder stitch" comes from the shape the stitches form when sewn. The pattern of the stitch makes the thread create a "ladder" between the two pieces of fabric that are being sewn together.

How to Use a Ladder Stitch (5 Project Ideas)

The ladder stitch is useful for a variety of different projects. I use it most often for closing the small opening left in a seam when a project is turned right sides out.

This type of stitch is also great for mending ripped clothing or home decor items. Also, if you're binding a project with bias tape and want a really clean, couture finish, you can use the ladder stitch to invisibly attach the second edge of the tape to your project.

projects to use a ladder stitch

Here are a few of my favorite projects that utilize the ladder stitch!

  • DIY Scrunchies! (or try the Oversized Scrunchie variation)
  • Handmade Animal Plushy
  • Sew Up a Dog (or Cat) Bed
  • Make a Cute Ruffled Baby Blanket
  • Sew a Simple Neck Tie

Supplies to Sew a Ladder Stitch

These are the supplies you'll need to sew a beautifully invisible ladder stitch.

  • Project that Needs an Invisible Seam
  • Iron
  • Ironing Board
  • Sewing Pins
  • Scissors or Thread Snips
  • Hand Sewing Needle
  • Matching Thread
supplies to sew a ladder stitch

Step 1: Knot and Start the Seam

Before starting, make sure to fully press your seam, pressing the raw edges to the wrong side along the seam allowance. If your seam is long, it helps to also pin it together before sewing.

press the seam to prepare for a ladder stitch

Then, thread a hand sewing needle with a double layer of thread several inches longer than the area you need to sew.

thread a hand sewing needle with matching thread

Knot the two thread tails together with a double or triple knot.

knot the thread tails together

Trim the excess thread away below the knot.

trim away excess thread below knotted thread tails

Beginning on one side at the start of the seam you plan to sew, push the needle up through the fabric from under the fold. The needle should come out just below the top of the folded edge of the fabric so it will be hidden in the finished seam.

start the ladder stitch seam
beginning the ladder stitch

Pull the thread through, making sure the knot is pulled taut against the wrong side of the fabric. Placing it underneath the fold will keep the knot fully hidden from view in the finished seam.

pull the knot against the fabric
knot the thread at the beginning of the ladder stitch

Step 2: Sew the Ladder Stitch Seam

Next, insert the end of the needle into the fabric just below the fold directly opposite where the thread is coming out. Make sure not to push the needle all the way through to the outside of the project.

start the first stitch of the ladder stitch

Slide the needle about 1/8 inch further down the seam, under the fold, then push it back out from the fabric towards the inside of the seam.

push the needle through the fabric under the seam allowance

Pull the thread taut.

pull the thread taut to form the first ladder stitch
the finished first ladder stitch

Push the needle into the fabric directly across from where the thread is coming out, just below the fold.

starting the second ladder stitch

Again, slide the needle 1/8 inch down the seam, under the fold, then push it out towards the center of the seam again.

sewing the second ladder stitch

Pull the thread taut, but not tight enough to create bunching.

pull the thread taut for the second stitch
tighten the threads to pull the two pieces of fabric together

Repeat this pattern to stitch the rest of the seam. Essentially, you will be sewing back and forth across the seam, creating a "ladder" with the thread to pull the two pieces of fabric together.

learn to sew the ladder stitch

Make sure to carefully tighten the thread after each stitch, but don't pull it too tight - that can create puckers.

Step 3: Knot and Finish the Ladder Stitch

Once you've reached the end of the seam, it's time to finish this stitch off!

finishing the ladder stitch

To knot the thread, start by pushing the needle through the fabric next to where the thread is coming out from. Make sure you're catching a small amount of fabric.

start tying off the thread to finish the ladder stitch

Leave the needle in the fabric, then wrap the thread around the end of the needle twice.

wrap the thread around the hand sewing needle

Pull the needle out of the fabric, pulling it through the looped thread.

pull the thread through the loops to form a knot

Then pull the knot taut against the fabric.

pull the knot tight to finish the ladder stitch seam

Next, to finish it off, push the needle back down into the top of the seam next to the knot. Slide the needle back through the seam 1/4 to 1/2 inch, then push it out the top of the fold.

push the needle through the fabric next to the knot

Pull the thread through the seam.

pull the thread tails through the seam

Trim the thread tails close to the fabric. This final step of pulling the thread tails through the seam helps to give the finished project a more professional appearance and secure finish.

trim the thread tails

Your ladder stitch is now done!

a beautiful invisible stitch

Tips For Sewing a Professional Invisible Stitch

Now that you know how to sew a beautiful ladder stitch, I wanted to share a few of my best tips for getting professional-looking results.

  • Choose thread in a color that matches your project as closely as possible.
  • Pull the thread taut after each stitch to fully hide your stitches from view. But be careful not to pull it too tight - that can create puckering!
  • Make sure to keep your stitches just below the folded edges at the top of the seam. This will help ensure that your stitches will stay fully hidden within the seam.
  • Keep your stitches as evenly spaced as possible.
hand sewing a ladder stitch

Have any questions on sewing an invisible ladder stitch? Leave them below so I can help you out!

learn how to hand sew a ladder stitch

Don't forget to join my Facebook group where you can show us what you're making, ask questions, and learn from others.

« How to Sew a Lettuce-Edge Hem with a Serger
How to Sew a Sleep Eye Mask »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Ready, Set, Sew! An online sewing course for beginners by top US sewing blogger, Sweet Red Poppy.

Hello, I’m Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy!

I’m a wife, mother to 3, seamstress, and lover of all things crafty! Sweet Red Poppy is my creative outlet where I find and create inspiration. It’s a place where I can share my never-ending sewing projects and my love of learning!

Read more about me →

The Latest

  • 5 Useful Tools to Help You Organize After the Holidays with JOANN
  • How to Make Christmas Gift Tags with Your Cricut Machine
  • How to Make Sock Gnomes
  • How to wrap a gift step by step
    How to Wrap a Gift - Four Ways
  • How to Make Perfectly Painted Wood Signs with Cricut Vinyl Stencils
  • 5 Cricut Gift Box Template SVG Files

Footer

↑ back to top

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! For Emails and Updates

About

  • Contact
  • About
  • Home

Copyright © 2022 Sweet Red Poppy