How to Sew a Slip Stitch

The slip stitch is an “invisible” hand sewing stitch with tiny stitches that are very hard to see. The thread between the stitches is hidden in the fold of the fabric. This makes the slip stitch great for hems, or for joining two folds of fabric together. Sew the slip stitch from right to left using a hand sewing needle and thread. Make the stitches as even as possible, and no more than 1/4 inch apart. Although the slip stitch is an easy hand sewing stitch once you learn it, you may want to practice the slip stitch on a scrap of fabric before sewing a garment.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Hand sewing needle
• Iron
• Ironing board

Slip Stitch a Hem

1. Fold the edge of the fabric 1/4 inch toward the wrong side and press it flat. Fold it over another 1/4 inch or more and press it flat again.

2. Cut a piece of thread about 18 inches long. Insert the end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull the thread until the ends are lined up. Tie a large knot in the ends of the thread.

3. Start at the right side of the fabric. Poke the needle through the underside of the folded edge and pull it until the knot is secure against the underside of the fold.

4. Poke the needle through a tiny amount of fabric just above the fold, then poke the needle through the top of the fold. Pull the needle until the thread is snug.

5. Insert the needle into the top edge of the folded fabric very close to where you just stitched. Slide the needle through the fold, and poke the needle out of the fold about 1/4 inch away from the first stitch. Pull the needle until the thread is snug. This hides the thread between the stitches inside the fold.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have completed stitching the hem or run out of thread, then tie a knot in the end of the thread. Repeat steps 2 through 6 as needed to complete the hem.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 7 as needed to complete the hem.

Slip Stitch Pieces of Fabric Together

8. Fold the edge of each piece of fabric 1/4 inch toward the wrong side and press it flat. Fold it over another 1/4 inch or more and press it flat again. Place the folded edges next to each other.

9. Cut a piece of thread about 18 inches long. Insert the end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull the thread until the ends are lined up. Tie a large knot in the ends of the thread.

10. Start at the right side of the fabric. Poke the needle through the underside of the one of the folded edges and pull it until the knot is secure against the underside of the fold.

11. Poke the needle through the top edge of one fold and the bottom edge of the other, using a very tiny stitch. Pull the needle until the thread is snug against the fabric.

12. Insert the needle into the lower edge of the top fold very close to where you just stitched. Slide the needle through the fold, and poke the needle out of the fold about 1/4 inch away from the first stitch. Pull the needle until the thread is snug. This hides the thread between the stitches inside the fold.

13. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have finished joining the fabric pieces or run out of thread, then tie a knot in the end of the thread. Repeat steps 2 through 6 as needed to finish joining the pieces of fabric together.

Tips & Warnings

• To tie a knot in the ends of the thread, make a loop about 1 inch from the end. Insert the end of the threads through the loop and pull the loop closed, forming a knot. Repeat this until you have about 3 knots on top of each other, forming one large knot.
• To tie a knot in the thread when you’re finished stitching, make a small stitch in the underside of the fold, and insert the needle through the loop of thread. Pull the thread tight until it forms a knot.
• Use caution when working with irons and sewing needles.