How to Ladder Stitch - the Invisible Way to Stitch Up Softies

[@sheilazayas]

Thank you for this. Almost 10 years later and it's still helping people like me!

[@sakuragessert]

I feel so happy that I can actually understand a how-to video! You are a wonderful at explaining things!

[@joykenealy]

Great video, easy to understand. You kept saying that this isn't for first timers... but your video is so clear that THIS first timer was able to follow along and get my first pillow ever completed withpout stitches showing! Thanks!

[@ZombieSeamstress]

OH MY GOSH!!! THANK YOU!!! you have no idea on how many of these "tutorials" I have watched and none did not show hands on like you have! Thank you so much!!!

[@WendiGratz]

Whipstitch can be nice and neat - but it's ALWAYS visible. Ladder stitch is my favorite - I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@MsBobry]

Thanks SO much for taking the time to do this, Demonstrating the stitching is so much more of a help! You did a great job of it too!

[@crsee]

Great video! Now I can tackle my daughter's many stuffed animal seam repairs with confidence. Thank you so much for the very informative, well shot video :)

[@meloearth]

A friend of mine told me about your channel. I've been watching you now. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@dragoneyes903]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I'm very new to sewing and decided to make a stuffed monkey for my 2 year old niece for christmas as my third project ever! Ah I'm going through all your videos soon everything is so helpful. Thank you for making these videos.

[@donnad57]

Thank you so much! Your video was done so well that even I - a left handed beginner - was able to complete my project with beautiful results!

[@carlosmedina9488]

Really nice & informative instructional video. I didn't know about the ladder stitch 'till last night watching KZbin. I was able to repair my wife's coat this morning. Thank you luv.

[@Claudia-Skye]

Thank you so much for your demonstrations! I want to make plush toys and I could never understand how to make this stitch by looking at photos or reading instructions. I've watched a lot of your videos because I wanted to embroider and I learned the basics mostly from you :)

[@slytherlily]

And suddenly a magical lightbulb has turned on. You're video revealed to me what I've been trying to figure out for some time now. Time to make more plushies! Thanks for the help! :D

[@cricka3]

Finally a good tutorial ! Thank you LADY!

[@bam1760]

So very clear and repetitive as you stitched along---the repetition gives lots of encouragement as we follow along and reinforces into our memory how to go along the folds. thanks albuquerque

[@nicolemack3212]

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for this video! I was in fashion school a few years ago but a chronic illness kept me from my studies & greatly effected my memory. I was only a beginner before my forced long repose. I'd feared that knowledge gone forever. Your tuitoral has helped me to regain confidence & brush up while removing the rust that accumulated during my long convalescence. Now I know those skills are still within my mind & returning to college in January is a viable option.

[@WendiGratz]

Happy to help! :-)

[@Dollectable_Dreams]

I'm a beginner but your explanation was so clear and detailed that I was able to sew a very hidden ladder stitch at my first try!! Thank you so much!!!!

[@jlnriddick]

Wow... You're the BEST! Your projects must be so neat and perfect. Your videos have taught me so much. Thank you, thank you!

[@arixbray1975]

this was so helpful! I'm not the best at hand sewing and it's also been awhile since I've done much but this was excellent :) so much better having a visual than someone just telling you how to do it.

[@darlingstrawberry]

ive been looking up diff tutorials but theyre always confusing or unclear. your tutorial helped me finally understand how to do a proper ladder stich. thank you!

[@amybutler2211]

Such a helpful video! I share it with everyone who has difficulty sewing anything closed! From plushies, to makeup bags it truly works amazing and sews up quick!! Thank you!!

[@drmichaelelinski6992]

You are really great at demonstrating these stitches. This is the one I will use on my quilt binding, as opposed to the whip stitch, because it really think its worth the extra effort to conceal the binding seam. I'm grateful I have found you on the web. You've helped me so many times on various projects. Merci beaucoup!

[@pressleysmommy]

Wow, awesome tutorial, I'm a new crafter and with this video you've made it look very easy! Thank You!

[@kimchi8022]

Beautiful tutorial! i finally found the stitch i'm going to use thanks to you!! i kept seeing people using blanket stitch's for alot of plush toys and i just didn't like how visible it looked. this is perfect c:

[@smurfette1509]

Wow! You're awesome. This is so well explained and illustrated that I may just be able to do this stitch as a beginner. I notice this is an older video. This shows you have made an impact after all these years. Thanks!

[@samcollins7370]

Super helpful video, I've been wanting to make a couple of stuffed animals for two cousins who are each having a kid soon, and after seeing this video I feel confident closing them up neatly. Funny how videos from 10 years ago are more helpful than ones right now, some things never change I guess!

[@maltesergr8]

Your videos are the absolute best and are very easy to understand and follow along with. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with others! Beth ;o)

[@juli2331]

from one Wendy to another thanks so much! the tutorial was great and I was able to close up a baby quilt in no time!

[@misterol]

I have watched several videos on this, but this one made the most sense to me. Thank you so much!!!

[@janine_z]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally I am doing the right thing thanks to your tutorial♥ So happy.

[@jjseale09]

This was the easiest tutorial for the ladder stitch... Thank you! I sewed right along with ease. :)

[@trudypenney3222]

I am a beginner and this is so easy. I watched a video a couple of years ago how to do this as I didn’t want my stitches showing, ever! It is easy!!! I felt insulted at first however, I don’t think you meant it the way it sounded. The whip stitch is one I would never use as I am too particular. I did enjoy your videos! Easy to understand. You are doing a good job. Keep it up. They help.

[@jodysmith9238]

Your video helped me repair an old quilt. It was easy to learn and your instructions were clear. thank you!!

[@superhoney898]

I don't understand why you don't recommend beginners to try this? I'm a beginner and manage perfectly well with this stitch :) I just make sure I take my time with it and make sure my fabric is pressed properly!

[@cr0wland]

me too and its the first thing I've ever stitched!

[@alteredLori]

OMG!!! i finally understand how to do this!!!! thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the term you used :lip" made sense to me omg i was so frustrated!!! you are the best!!!!

[@GailOwens-k7z]

“Top and bottom stitch”! Such a cute way to think about it!😊

[@gkline8288]

Thank you, this is the best video I have found on the ladder stitch. I finally understand it. :)

[@WitherowFamily]

Great video! I was able to follow your instructions easily and did it on the first try! Thank you for the help!

[@CBInteresting]

This was super helpful for me in finishing off some embroidered gnome ornaments I made. Thank you!

[@avriluk5094]

I cant thank you enough.... I have made my first stuffed toy and needed a way to close without using my machine. Brilliant!!

[@WendiGratz]

I'm glad it was helpful. :-)

[@Unknown-vx6qm]

After I watched this video I confirmed the whole time I was skipping one step because another video I watched wasn't very clear about the instructions!! Thank you so much for this video, it has helped me a lot!! 😭😄🤩

[@WendiGratz]

Happy to help! And softies are my favorite thing to sew. :-)

[@ladyofthewilds]

thank you so very much!!! I'm just about to start a small project and i was worried about my stitching when it comes to closing. now i feel confident that i know what i'm doing :D

[@tmachogstad]

This was amazingly helpful! Thank you so much. I enjoy sewing but didn't like to finish with the whip stick because mine was always so visible. It's made a hug difference for the fabric book I'm sewing for my niece.

[@piratelizzie]

oh so much easier than reading it, i make softies from reading a book and it tells you about all the stitches but i cant figure it out by reading i have to watch some one do it and you explain so clearly thank you

[@nur101atika]

Yay! Finally know how to do this stitch now! Thank you so much for this video, you've helped a lot :3

[@ellenballas-ashbay1170]

OHMYGOSH, after all these years, I finally understand what I've been doing wrong! Thank you!

[@applebritta]

This is explained well and easy to see what you're doing. I can't wait to try it out!

[@WendiGratz]

It's a great stitch - useful for so many things! :-)

[@taylorleger712]

+Wendi Gratz I'm 15 yes old and am a beginner my ladder stitch is way smaller and neater than yours

[@daynawithawhy]

Hi Wendi...I’ve been sewing for 42 of my 46 years and I really enjoy your videos. Even with all kinds of experience it’s really good to hear new techniques and see tutorials and your videos are excellent and very straightforward. Thank you. As thorough and straightforward as you are, I really struggle with watching your video and having the camera moving and being adjusted during a critical part of the how-to and I’d really appreciate it if you could keep everything still rather than try to adjust the angle during the tutorial. Thanks again xo

[@RyanDB]

I'd call myself an absolute beginner, but I'm going to give this anyway a try on a plushie I'm making for my girlfriend - I'm not opposed to spending ages getting it just right. Thanks for the video, it's impressively clear in its instructions. I'll comment again when I've finished and let you know how it went :)

[@jazzew]

Awesome video! I understand your instructions so well, and it's easy to see the thread when you're stitching! I actually can't afford a machine, so I have fabrics that I wanted to make pajama bottoms with, just sitting in a bag for a few years. :( But maybe I can work on them with some of the other tutorials of yours that I saw! You're an excellent teacher!

[@Lynnyb44]

Love your videos!!! I've referred back to this video so many times. Super helpful!!!!!!

[@dmoffett333]

Tremendous!! Now I get it!! I can actually see how you are making these stitches in your video. In another's video I thought she was doing a slip stitch so I looked further. Thank you so much!!!

[@WendiGratz]

I'm glad it was helpful. :-)

[@juliag1097]

+Diane Moffett You mean tre-MEND-ous! :D

[@WendiGratz]

@yhmlco That's so funny - you're not the first person to mention the knot tail thing! It's a really common quilting trick that (I guess) not many softie-makers use. Glad it was helpful!

[@LeagueHQ001]

Thanks, my teacher is sick and in our instructions she just said to ladder stitch and I was confused. Thanks this is gonna make my project look awesome!!

[@netdollbrasil]

OMG!!! Thank you o much!!! I loved it!!! I´ve neve seen that before! I'm a beginer, but I'm gonna try that for sure!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!!

[@chin579]

Thank you so much...'been wondering how this was done. You make it look so easy!

[@Miss_Melly_D]

thanks wendy you are a very tutor in sewing I love to hear your accent

[@kaiserja123]

Lovely tutorial, simple and easy to follow

[@WendiGratz]

Thanks so much. :-)

[@crimson-nautilus]

This is very helpful and easy to understand! Thank you for making this video =)

[@MsFishy1981]

You are such a good instructor!

[@WendiGratz]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful. And that background fabric is my ironing board cover. :-)

[@KatNKaboodle]

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! I work at Build-A-Bear, and we use this technique when our "silly strings" come loose. I haven't had the chance to properly learn this because it's always so busy! You've made my position at Stuff Me less chaotic. :)

[@sonflour430]

I remember learning this stitch in my high school sewing class! It is such a good one to know! I have fixed many things with it!! :-)

[@joyjames5442]

Where do I purchase ur hand made beauties

[@sonflour430]

www.etsy.com/shop/HollyCraftOriginals?ref=si_shop

[@joyjames5442]

I was wondering if you were on etsy Lol thank you

[@sonflour430]

Or Facebook! Lol....I can send invoices through PayPal....if you need something custom. :-)

[@Eliwi]

Thank you SO much for this tutorial! It was great, I understood everything right away and I was able to do it on the first try :D

[@yhmlco]

Great description of the stitch, but the kicker was the "through the body" knot tie off. Never seen that before. Cool.

[@eumaroca2803]

I just added to my favorite videos! Thank you for sharing with us your skills

[@Cherrybride]

Im kind of new at sewing and so far i love it im gonna be making plushies and so far i learned the back stitch, blanket stitch and now i learned the ladder stitch thx to you ;D

[@WendiGratz]

Absolutely. Just use good thread and take nice small stitches and the seam will be very strong.

[@o0OsalixO0o]

Another great video! Can't wait to try this technique out!

[@RyanDB]

It went down pretty well :) I'm more than a bit proud of the result.

[@furyjubilie]

I'm so glad I found your channel, was watching a tutorial on another page that talked about whip stitching but didn't show it (for closing a seam) found your other video and came to find this invisible version. I know you said not for beginners but I have rather troublesome OCD and the whip stitch look makes me eye twitch... but this way

[@rachelewer8040]

Great demonstration of the ladder stitch Wendy...thanks, it really helped :-)

[@WendiGratz]

I use this stitch for mending too! And it's great for applique.

[@mekbailey]

Thank you so much...your video was so clear and easy to understand!!

[@domesticdissident]

Thank you for this tutorial. I will use it on all my future stuffed animal sewing.

[@peachy2047]

SUPER HELPFUL!!! THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO!!

[@WendiGratz]

I sewed the rest on a sewing machine. If I was sewing it by hand I would use running stitch and just use ladder stitch for the stuffing opening.

[@-Rua-]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! You've really helped me out :)

[@02_valkyrie]

Thank you so much! This was like a miracle for the plushie i'm making. I would have never known how to hide the stitches!

[@caitlinfisher5180]

Thank you!!!!!!! I just made my first doll and used this method- Looks great!

[@WendiGratz]

I hope you like it! I use a variation on this stitch for hand applique work too.

[@WendiGratz]

Woo hoo! I'm happy to help!

[@buntysvintageemporium3632]

Excellent been looking for a good clear tutorial for this thank you.

[@WendiGratz]

You're welcome! :-)

[@buntysvintageemporium3632]

Im about to put it into practice just now.

[@sixthview]

Wendi!!! Thank you. I can't wait to fix the mess I made taking a tag out of a stuffy!

[@desmonamiller1702]

Now I know. Thank you. Learned something new today.

[@WendiGratz]

Yay! I'm glad you were able to fix it!

[@suyoshi]

I've successfully mended the open seams of three plushies with your video! Thanks! :)

[@kristypimm8577]

finally a tutorial I understand! Thank you :)

[@superkelification]

Thanks for this, never understood how to hide stitches like this before but now I can make my plushies look perfect!

[@VestaBlackclaw]

Super helpful for making stuffed toys. Thanks a lot!

[@moneysaverlady]

New subscriber! Love your teaching !

[@Neoia]

:'D so helpful! I looked at other videos, but I could never get it! They were so far away and I had trouble trying to figure out what they were doing!

[@reneewise5461]

you're an awesome teacher!

[@learntocrochet3952]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@WendiGratz]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful. :-)

[@Tifanieann]

Wow, never knew about this stitch THANK YOU!

[@22pjo]

Great videos, very very helpful.Thank you so much. You make my crafting projects stress free. :)

[@Hollymadeline]

I had a ripped seam on the train of my wedding dress so I used this stitch to patch it up... It did the trick! :-)

[@Gottaculat]

This is really cool! I'm not sure if this would be ideal for my vinyl satchel I'm making, since the vinyl is pretty tough. This stitch also looks weak compared to other stitches, so it may not be suitable for a rugged satchel. Still, I may use this in a future project! Also, exposed stitches like the whip stitch look cool on rugged stuff (like the compact belt quiver I made to hold my arrows). Great video!

[@WendiGratz]

I really like Guterman, but the fabric store closest to me only has Coats & Clark which is fine.