Whipstitch is a handy stitch to learn. The whipstitch is used to gather two pieces of fabric together. In hand sewing, this stitch can be used to create a seam but can also be used on APPLIQUÉ. Want to give it a try?
Get two small squares or rectangles of felt. You will be binding these together using the whipstitch. Choose some embroidery thread. I always use six stranded DMC thread and divide it in half. Make sure you have your trusty embroidery scissors to trim your thread.
Start by threading your needle through the top piece of felt going from the bottom to the top. You want to have the knot anchored in the middle of the two pieces of fabric so it is hidden inside the little felt booklet you will be making.
If you want practice making even stitches you can use a marker with disappearing ink to mark off every 1/4 inch where you want your needle to come up.
This next step is where the marks you made will come on handy. Bring your needle up through both layers of the felt and to the front, using the mark to guide your needle. If you did not make a mark just eyeball about 1/4 inch from where you made the first stitch.
Pull and tighten your thread until you have made your first stitch. Make sure not to pull hard, it will cinch and warp the felt. Sometimes the first stitch is a little funky so just use your fingers to adjust it so it is straight.
Keep going until you reach the end. Practice keeping even tension when tightening the stitches so the stitches will look uniform.
Making this seam using two pieces of felt is a great way to practice the whipstitch. When you are done, these little booklets are a great way to store your sewing needles!
A practical use for the whipstitch is for appliqué (sewing a smaller piece of fabric onto a larger piece of fabric as a decoration). Let me show you what I mean:
Thread your needle then pull the needle from the back of the piece of felt to the front. This will hide the knot in the back of the felt. I am just working on the surface of the fabric to demonstrate so I am not bringing the needle through the embroidery hoop but just attaching the piece of felt to the surface of the cotton fabric.
Hide the knot in the back of the felt.
Once you have brought the needle up through the felt, hiding the knot, bring your needle back down into the fabric right at the very edge of the felt.
Bring your needle back up through the fabric and felt about 1/4 inch from where you made the first stitch. Repeat until you have worked your way around the whole circle.
Now that you have practiced the whipstitch and are feeling more comfortable with it, I want to show you another practical use. You can use this stitch to finish off the back of your embroidery hoop art.
When you finish a piece of embroidery hoop art it's nice to add a backing to cover your stitch work, especially if you are giving it as a gift. To make your backing, trace the inside of the hoop you will be using. I used a marker with disappearing ink to trace my circle.
Get your finished piece of embroidery. Before applying the felt backing, you want to cinch the excess fabric using the running stitch. Now you are ready to apply the felt backing using the whipstitch.
If you are gifting your embroidery, a finished backing adds such a nice touch.
If you would like a special embroidery project for the holidays, either to gift or to make for your self, I am please to announce my beginner printable embroidery pattern.
This project is an instant download which you can print immediately upon purchase. It is perfect for beginners but fun for anyone. It can be completed using all BACKSTITCH but more seasoned embroiderers can experiment with different stitches such as the FRENCH KNOT and the RUNNING STITCH for example or maybe you'd like to add some gorgeous holiday METALLICS.
The download includes the pattern, a detailed supply list, instructions on how to transfer the pattern, a color and stitch guide and basic instructions which are all illustrated with some artwork and color photos to help you along the way.
This keepsake would make a great gift to make and give to someone special but you could also purchase the pattern and supplies to gift to someone else to make. Needlework can be so therapeutic and relaxing and the message is a wonderful reminder to 'take a breath' and try to slow things down during a sometimes stressful time of year. The cost is so minimal and the message is priceless.
The instant download is available now in my ETSY SHOP, LOVESTITCHERY ,for purchase.
Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you are truly able to relax and enjoy some of the simpler moments of the holiday in a slow and mindful bliss.
Very Warmly,
Pam