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Blanket Stitch on a Patch

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  1. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Intro to the blanket stitch: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Intro to the blanket stitch: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Structure - A blanket stitch is composed of a series of loops that are anchored by the neighboring stitch to create an L shape.

    • Repair Use - These non-stretch stitches can be used to reinforce hems or to sew down the edges of a patch. They're great for stable binding because they create a continuous stitch that runs along the edge of the fabric.

    • The name "blanket" stitch comes from its traditional use to secure the edges of blankets.

  2. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Assess the damage: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Assess the damage: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Assess the damage: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Locate the hole or tear that requires patching.

    • The pictured item has a burn hole. In that case, cut away any scorched or melted pieces around the hole.

    • If possible, stitch the tear closed before attaching the patch.

    • This will seal the tear on the inside so it doesn't grow bigger or get caught while the garment is being worn.

    • If the tear is too large to be stitched closed, see the last step in this guide for details on creating an underpatch.

  3. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Pin on the patch: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Pin on the patch: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Position the fabric patch over the hole and pin it in place, ensuring the hole is centered.

    • See Make a Fabric Patch for guidance and best practices on creating a fabric patch.

    • In the pictured repair, the garment is knit fleece while the patch is a contrasting color of woven fabric. Match the fabric structure, fiber content, and color of the patch with that of the garment for a less visible repair.

  4. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Start the stitch: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Start the stitch: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Start the stitch: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Thread the needle with a length of thread approximately 24 inches (~61 cm) long and tie a knot at one end of the thread. For more details see Needles and Thread.

    • In the pictured repair, embroidery floss is used for visibility.

    • Insert the needle up from the backside so it emerges just beside the edge of the patch without piercing through it.

    • Pull tight so the thread knot is flush against the back of the fabric.

  5. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Make a diagonal stitch: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Make a diagonal stitch: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Insert the needle into the patch diagonally, 1/4 inch (~6 mm) inward from the edge and 1/4 inch (~6 mm) forward in the direction of the stitch path.

    • The distance inward from the patch edge defines the height of the stitch and the distance forward along the stitch line defines the width of the stitch. Alter these dimensions to suit different repairs but keep them consistent throughout the repair.

    • Pull the needle and thread through to the back. Don't pull the thread tight, leaving a small loop.

  6. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Make the blanket stitch: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Make the blanket stitch: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Make the blanket stitch: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Pierce the needle from the backside, coming up just beside the edge of the patch, 1/4 inch (~6 mm) down from the first edge stitch made in Step 4.

    • Pass the needle through the small loop created in the last step.

    • Pull the thread tight to secure it.

    • This completes the first blanket stitch!

  7. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Stitch in one movement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Stitch in one movement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Stitch in one movement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • To create the blanket stitch without flipping between the front and backside, complete the previous two steps in one motion:

    • Start with the thread emerging along the edge of the patch.

    • Insert the needle into the patch 1/4 inch (~6 mm) in from the edge and bring it out at the edge of the patch directly adjacent. The needle will be perpendicular to the patch edge.

    • Pull the needle and thread through, ensuring the needle passes through the loop formed by the stitch.

    • This video shows how to complete the blanket stitch in one movement by following the instructions in the previous step.

  8. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Stitch around the patch corner: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Stitch around the patch corner: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Stitch around the patch corner: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Once within 1/2 inch (~13 mm) of a patch corner, create a corner stitch:

    • Insert the needle into the patch at the corner, 1/4 inch (~6 mm) in from both edges.

    • Then bring the needle out at the corner edge, passing through the thread loop.

    • This will help the stitching round the corner.

    • Then continue stitching down the next side of the patch.

    • It's okay if the interval length of the stitches varies slightly at the corner.

  9. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Finish the stitch: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Finish the stitch: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Finish the stitch: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • After stitching around the entire patch and coming within 1/4 inch (~6 mm) of the starting stitch, create a final blanket stitch with the needle emerging at the initial stitch point from Step 4.

    • Pass the needle through the thread loop and pull the thread tight.

    • Insert the needle back down into fabric in the same spot, ensuring the loop is secured with the stitch. Pull the thread tight.

    • This process can also be used to stop stitching when running out of thread.

  10. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Tie off the thread: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
  11. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Quality check: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Ensure that the patch is securely attached and that the stitches hold firmly without any gaps or looseness.

  12. Blanket Stitch on a Patch, Troubleshooting: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • UNDERPATCH: If the tear is too large to be stitched closed in Step 2 and there's concern the exposed tear will get caught while the garment is being worn, create an underpatch first. An underpatch is a smaller patch that is sewn over the hole on the backside before the main patch is sewn on the front.

    • The front patch should be large enough to cover the stitching from the underpatch.

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