The blanket stitch is a basic embroidery technique used to stitch two pieces of fabric together or flatter the edges of a single-layer piece to prevent fraying. People who make quilts, blankets, crochet or any type of single-layer project use this stitch because it can be seen on both sides of the work. Most often you will see this stitch on quilts and fleece blankets to seal up open ends while incorporating the stitch into their design. When embroidering two pieces of a project together (such as a potholder or something that needs a backing) the blanket stitch is ideal.
The Right Materials
If you are a first-time embroiderer, use a cross-stitch fabric (also called even-weave fabric) to keep your stitches straight. Rayon and silk are very hard to stitch but cotton and linen work well and come in many colors. An 18-inch strand of embroidery floss is the ideal length to work with. Use two strands of embroidery floss for a finer stitch, depending on how much definition you want in your project. Thread the needle with the floss and make one small, regular knot to hold the thread. On the other end, make two regular knots on top of each other to prevent the floss from pulling though the fabric and to give your stitch a base. Once you have mastered this stitch, you can use a variety of floss in cotton, metallics and other synthetics to perfectly match the color, fabric and thickness of your project.
The Blanket Stitch
Starting at the back, pull the needle up through the fabric about half an inch from the edge until it catches your double knot. Work from left to right to achieve a nice flow of stitches. Now your needle is in the front. Bring the needle around back with the thread over the edge as if you were making a circle. Come up through the next square to the right of your first blanket stitch and pull, making sure the thread stays under the needle. Continue in this manner until you have edged the entire piece. If you come to the end of a thread, bring the needle to the back and weave it up and down through the stitching in the back to secure the end. Snip off the remaining floss and your blanket stitch will be secure.
Stitch Variations
A tent blanket stitch can be used for a "tent" effect. Use the same technique as the plain blanket stitch but form points by slanting your stitches. If you are getting better at keeping your stitches in an even row, then you may try the long and short or graduated blanket stitch. The stitches are worked in at different lengths to create depth in a project.
