Blanket Stitch Embroidery: Neat Edges, Corners and Appliqué
Blanket stitch is a row of upright stitches joined by a looped line along their base. It was made to finish the raw edges of blankets, and it is still the standard stitch for edging felt, securing appliqué shapes and outlining borders. Worked closely, with no fabric showing between the stitches, the same stitch is called buttonhole stitch. It uses the same loop-under-the-needle movement as fly stitch and feather stitch. Blanket stitch looks good only when the uprights are straight and evenly spaced, and the looped edge sits exactly on the line or fabric edge.
How to blanket stitch by hand, in short: bring the needle up on the base line, take it down on the upper line a little to the right, bring the tip up directly below on the base line with the thread under the tip, and pull until snug. Repeat at even spacing. The sections below cover starting and finishing, corners, edges and the common mistakes.
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Used for | Edges, felt, appliqué, borders, scallops, blanket stitch flowers |
| Thread | 2–3 strands of stranded cotton on cotton or linen; 3–6 strands or perle cotton on felt and wool |
| Needle | Embroidery (crewel) needle; a chenille needle for felt, wool or perle cotton |
| Stitch size | Height 3–6 mm, spacing about the same as the height or a little less |
What You Need
- Two guide lines on embroidery: the base line, where the loops sit, and a parallel line above it for the tops of the uprights. On an edge, the fabric edge is the base line.
- Fabric in a hoop for embroidery on cotton or linen. Felt and appliqué edges are usually worked in the hand.
- A thread that contrasts or matches on purpose. Blanket stitch is always visible, so decide whether it should stand out as a decorative edge or blend in.
How to Work Blanket Stitch
- Bring the needle up on the base line (A).
- Take the needle down on the upper line (B), a little to the right of A, and bring the tip up on the base line directly below B (C). The needle points straight down.
- Loop the thread under the needle tip, then pull through until the thread lies snugly along the base line. This is the first upright.
- Repeat: down on the upper line one space to the right, up directly below on the base line, thread under the tip.
- Finish by taking the needle down on the base line just outside the last loop, making a tiny stitch that holds it.
On a fabric edge, the needle goes in from the front at the stitch height and comes out past the edge, under the loop of thread. The looped line then sits right on the edge and covers it.
How to Start and End Blanket Stitch
- Starting on fabric in a hoop. Use a waste knot a few centimetres away on the front, or two tiny back stitches on the base line where the first loop will cover them. Bring the needle up on the base line and make the first upright.
- Starting on a felt or fabric edge. Hide the knot between the two layers, or on the back just inside the edge, and bring the needle out at the edge. The first loop then sits on the edge from the very first stitch.
- Ending a row. After the last upright, take the needle down on the base line just outside the last loop. This tiny stitch holds the loop flat. On the back, weave the tail under three or four stitches and trim.
- Ending on a circle or a closed shape. Slip the needle under the loop of the first stitch, then go down on the base line, so the looped edge runs round without a break (see below).
Blanket Stitch on a Blanket or Fleece Edge
For edging a fleece throw or a wool blanket, the stitch is the same but larger. Use a thick thread such as perle cotton, six strands of stranded cotton or a fine wool yarn, and a chenille or tapestry needle with an eye big enough for it. Uprights about 1 cm tall and 1 cm apart are a good starting size. Fleece does not fray, so the stitch can go straight over the cut edge; on a woven blanket, fold a narrow hem first and stitch over the fold. Mark the spacing with a ruler and chalk every 20–30 cm to keep it even along a long edge.
Corners, Circles and Joining Thread
- Outer corners. Take three stitches into the same point on the upper line, at the inner corner: one straight, one diagonal into the outer corner, one at right angles. The fan covers the corner with no gap.
- Curves and circles. Keep the uprights at right angles to the edge, so they spread out on the outside of a curve. Space them a little closer on tight curves.
- Closing a circle. After the last stitch, slip the needle under the loop of the first stitch and go down on the base line. The looped edge then runs all the way round.
- Joining a new thread. Stop with the thread coming up inside the last loop; tie that loop down with a tiny stitch and secure the end on the back. Bring the new thread up at the same point, inside the loop, and carry on.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Uprights slant | The needle comes up to one side of B instead of directly below it | Hold the needle straight down, at right angles to the base line, for every stitch. |
| The looped edge rolls to the back or sits off the edge | The thread was not under the needle tip, or pulled too hard | Check the thread is under the tip before pulling; pull until snug, not tight. |
| Uneven heights and spacing | No guide lines, judging by eye | Mark the upper line, or use the weave or a ruler to space the stitches. |
| The edge puckers or felt curls | Thread pulled too tight along the edge | Ease off the tension so the loops lie flat; check the edge stays straight after every few stitches. |
| A bare gap at corners | A single stitch at the corner point | Fan three stitches into one point at the inner corner. |
| A visible break where the thread changes or the circle closes | The new thread or the last stitch was not connected to the loop | Start the new thread inside the last loop; close a circle under the first loop. |
Where to Use Blanket Stitch
- Felt edges. Joining two felt pieces for ornaments, toys and needle books.
- Appliqué. Holding a fabric shape in place, with the looped edge on the edge of the shape.
- Blanket and fabric edges. Finishing a hem in a contrasting thread.
- Borders and scallops. Rows along a drawn line, or along scallops with the uprights pointing inwards.
- Blanket stitch flowers. Worked in a circle with all uprights going into the same centre point, it makes a round flower or a wheel.
Blanket Stitch Variations
- Closed blanket stitch. Pairs of uprights slant towards each other and meet at the top, forming a row of triangles.
- Buttonhole stitch. Uprights packed so closely that no fabric shows, for a firm, solid edge in cutwork and on scallops.
- Long and short blanket stitch. Uprights alternate between two heights, or rise and fall in a pattern, for a decorative border.
- Double blanket stitch. A second row worked from the opposite side, with its uprights slotting between the first ones.
- Knotted buttonhole stitch. A small knot is made at the top of each upright, giving a beaded, textured edge.
- Beaded blanket stitch. A bead is picked up on each upright, so it sits on the looped edge.
- Detached buttonhole stitch. Rows of buttonhole stitch are worked over threads laid on the surface rather than through the fabric, building a raised, lace-like filling.
Blanket Stitch vs Buttonhole Stitch vs Running Stitch
- Buttonhole stitch: the same stitch, worked so close that no fabric shows between the uprights. It gives a firm, solid edge, used in cutwork and on scallops.
- Running stitch: also used to hold appliqué, but it does not cover the raw edge. Blanket stitch both holds and finishes it.
- Satin stitch: a fully covered edge without the looped line. Smoother, but slower and uses more thread.
For an overview of all the basic stitches, see our complete guide to hand embroidery stitches.
Patterns to Practise Your Stitches On
Once the basic stitches feel comfortable, try them on a complete design. These patterns are a good place to start.
New to Embroidery? Start with a Free Pattern
All of our free embroidery patterns in one place:
Blanket Stitch FAQ
What is the difference between blanket stitch and buttonhole stitch?
In hand embroidery they are worked the same way. Blanket stitch is spaced out; buttonhole stitch is packed closely so the uprights touch.
Do you work blanket stitch left to right?
Right-handed stitchers usually work from left to right, left-handed stitchers from right to left. The direction does not change the result as long as the thread goes under the needle each time.
How do I blanket stitch around a corner?
Take three stitches into the same point on the inner corner of the upper line, fanning from straight to diagonal to the new direction, so the loops turn the outer corner without a gap.
How many strands should I use for blanket stitch on felt?
Usually three, which shows clearly on felt without being bulky. Use six strands or perle cotton for a bold, rustic edge.
