Slip stitch

Slip stitch is used to join 2 fabrics together but makes the stitches almost invisible. It is most commonly used by me and others to stitch a gap closed. The slip stitch is a great stitch for discreet sewing.

How to do slip stitch

Note: Make sure you do this stitch only when joining 2 fabrics together. If you do it on one fabric it will pretty much be useless. Also try to use matching thread to the fabric so your stitches are more discreet.

1. Bring your needle up through Fabric 1. Secure thread.
2. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in the same fabric. Do not pull thread through.
3. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in Fabric 2. Do not pull thread through.
4. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in Fabric 1. You stitches should be forming a zig zag pattern. Do not pull thread through.
5. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in Fabric 2. Pull your thread through tightly. The stitches should be hard to see.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4 and 5.

All stitches should be parallel to the opposite stitch eg; Fabric 1 stitch is opposite to Fabric 2 stitch.

How to do Blanket Stitch

Blanket stitch is so confusing to put in words, so to make it easier, here is a video below.

Some things to know about Blanket Stitch:

- It is a decorative stitch
- It can be done in different ways
- Blanket stitch is best done using embroidery thread

Whip stitch

Whip stitch is very simple. It is used to join a fold to a fabric or two fabrics together.

How to do whip stitch:

1. Make a fold { if you haven't got one already }. Pin in place.
2. Thread needle and secure in fabric.
3. Bring needle up through the fold
4. Bring needle down through the fabric diagonally below the fold .
5. Repeat sequence.

Below is an image of the whip stitch.

Stem stitch

The stem stitch is the opposite side of back stitch. The only difference is that you are trying to make the back of back stitch straight which is stem stitch. Hold the fabric where you will do stem stitch to face you. 

How to do stem stitch:

1. Thread your needle and bring through the fabric 3 or 4 times to make it secure.

2. With the needle and thread facing the opposite direction you are in, do a starting stitch { - } .

3. Bring the needle up through the fabric and back to the start where you threaded your needle.

4. Repeat sequence.

My apologies if these instructions are confusing.

Below is the stem stitch in green thread. The yellow stitch is back stitch.

Back stitch

Back stitch is the strongest of all stitches. They form lines and are most often used to outline shapes or to add detail to an embroidered picture. 

How to do back stitch:

1. Thread needle and bring up through fabric. Then bring needle down through fabric. Repeat sequence 2 times, going over the previous stitch. This will be more secure than tying a knot.
2. Bring needle up a stitch length away.
3. Bring needle back down to where you started.
4. Bring needle up at stitch length away from step 2. 
5. Repeat sequence.

As you will see, your stitches are going forward, then backwards.

The yellow stitch above is the back stitch. The green stitch below is the stem stitch. 

Always try to have straight stitches.