How to Blind Stitch

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

This stitch connects one fabric or one fold of fabric to another with nearly invisible stitches. Here is a hand sewing technique that can help you with hemming, applique and mending.

Things You Should Know

Use a blind stitch to connect two pieces of fabric with no visible stitching.
Long, thin needles make smaller holes and are easier to blind stitch with.
If you don't have thread that matches your fabric, use gray thread. Gray thread blends in with all fabrics.

Steps

1
Get the materials. Thread a long, thin sewing needle with thread matching the material you are going to sew.
2
Secure the thread end. Knot one end of the thread.

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3
Prepare the fabric. Iron the material fold to crease it if necessary. For example: with hems, or edges of applique.
4
Prepare the fabric. Position the fabrics and pin them in place.
5
Begin sewing. Slide the needle into the material from the back side to attach the thread to the material. The thread knot will hold in the material after the needle has been pulled through.
6
Make even stitches. Start by making long stitches in one piece of fabric and tiny stitches in the other. Carefully position the needle points of exit or entry into the fabric to make the hemming thread appear invisible. See sketch.
7
Inspect the stitches. By working even stitches, they will be hidden in the fabric fold.
8
Finished. Congratulations on your new sewing skill!

Community Q&A

Question

Can I blind stitch a pillow?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

To finish off a pillow, you are using a ladder stitch. The stitches are of equal length to provide strength for the seam. A blind stitch can work for a pillowcase hem, but not to enclose a pillow. The shorter stitch does not seal the pillow opening shut.
Question

How do I do a blind stitch on a couch cushion that does not come off? Seam where knee hits is opening.

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

To secure an opening on a couch cushion use a ladder stitch. This is done by making even stitches on either side of the opening. Because you are sewing across a gap, start the stitch a little before the exit location of the stitch. This will line up the stitches so there will be less of a gap between stitches.
Question

How do I finish the stitch?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Reverse the direction of the stitching twice for 2-3 stitches before cutting the thread. When the material is pulled, the stitching thread is now pulled in both directions. This prevents the stitches from coming apart.