Help from the Workroom - Ladder Stitch

One of the most versatile stitches I have ever come across is Ladder Stitch. It has brought a smile to many a face, as the stitches disappear in to the seam. It is definately one you should have in your sewing box!

Ladder Stitch is great for invisibly repairing a split in a seam and is my stitch of choice for sewing the sides of curtains and blinds. Upholsterers use this stitch for re-closing seams and knitters use a similar stitch called Mattress Stitch when sewing up their knitting. The joy of this stitch is that it is worked from the right side of the fabric, so you can easily match any patterns or stripes.

Once you have the seam allowance pressed back and the folded edges are lying next to each other, take the needle with a knotted thread and slip the needle under the fold, bringing the needle out right on the edge of the fold.

Now holding the thread at a right angle to the fold, place the needle in to the opposite fold - to the right of the thread.

Repeat this each time you make a new stitch. Moving the thread across to the opposite fold, at a right angle each time.

As you become more experienced in knowing at what point to place the needle, you can refrain from holding the thread at a right angle. It is just to get you in to the habit of making the stitch slightly behind from where the thread appeared on the opposite fold. If you place the needle ahead of this point, the stitching will show.

This is a great stitch with a multitude of applications including sewing up seams in cushions and stitching up mitres on curtains. It is more versatile than a slip stitch and creates a stronger seam.

In the next 'Help from the Workroom' I will show you how to make a great little pin cushion that slips on to your wrist!

Spring Flowers and Nests of Yarn

I am always as excited as my students when they suddenly realise that they can make anything! They have the imagination, the skills and then they gain the confidence to wing it, like a fledgling bird on the brink of the nest ready to go solo.All the nurturing of ideas, learning skills and delight on their faces when they arrive at a class with a project they have made entirely on their own!



Sometimes they arrive with a brand new sewing machine that has never been out of its box, by the end of the morning they are getting familiar with the gentle hum and remembering how to thread the machine and to wind the bobbins!

Some arrive with greater expectations than ability! Some are happy to make a steady progress each week. The joy is the same when they present their latest creation to the class. This past week we had one such moment when Sarah finished her quilted picnic rug, she is quite amazing, determined and has tackled many challenging projects, knitting and sewing and I know she will put it to good use this weekend, as we enjoy the sunshine!