Use the Blind Stitch to Finish Binding

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This tutorial on how to hand sew a blind stitch to finish a binding is one of five tutorials that are part of a larger sewing project, How to Sew a Tic-Tac-Toe Board.

The following five tutorials make up most of the steps involved in sewing a Tic-Tac-Toe board:

• Sew a Nine Patch Block
• Square a Nine Patch Block
• Stitch in the Ditch
• Attach Binding
• Blind Stitch by Hand (this tutorial)

What is the Blind Stitch?

The blind stitch is a stitch that, when done correctly, is nearly impossible to see. It’s often used for hand applique but is a great stitch for attaching binding to the back of a quilt.

Important Note

Executing the blind stitch is easier if the binding is held in place while you hand sew. You can use pins or clips to do this. The binding should be snug along the raw edge.

Tip: Tuck the end of the pin back into the binding so you don’t stab yourself when you are sewing the binding down.

How to Do the Blind Stitch by Hand

Tip: Use a thread color that matches the binding.

1. Cut off about 15-18 inches of thread from the spool. Thread the needle and knot the end.
2. Bring the thread up through the fold of the binding from the back. The needle or thread should not come through the front of the binding. Pull the thread through.
3. Insert the needle slightly into the back fabric (B) straight across from where the tread is coming out of the fold (A). You only want to catch the back fabric and not go through to the front.

   

4. Slide the needle about 1/4-inch keeping it parallel to the fold. (C)
5. Push the needle up through the fold and pull the thread through. (D)
6. Repeat directions 4-6 until you have about 6 inches of thread left.
7. To secure the thread you don’t need to tie a knot. Instead, weave the needle through the fabric close to the raw edge that will be hidden under the binding (A). Pull the needle through until the binding is close to the back where you took the last stitch (B). Now, weave the needle back the other way (C) and pull the needle through again (D). Clip the remaining thread.
8. Repeat directions 2-8 until all the binding has been secured to the back.
9. For the final knot, push the needle under a stitch you made and pull it until you have a loop (A). Insert the needle through the loop and pull it tight (B). A little knot will form on the stitch. Repeat to make another knot.
10. To hide the knot, insert the needle into the binding without going through to the front and push it up about an inch from where it was inserted. Pull it through so the tail of the knot is hidden. Cut the thread close to the fabric.