Using the Ladder Stitch for Binding

The ladder stitch is usually used in knitting when you want to join seams, but is perfect for the hand sewing portion of binding. It’s fast and almost invisible.
No need to use “clips” or pins to hold your binding as you sew.
Strong thread, such as quilting weight thread is recommended to avoid thread snapping in the middle of the process.

Here’s how:
Knot your thread and start by “burying” it in the layers that will be covered up by the binding. The needle should come out of the fabric just above your machine stitching line.
Fold your binding over and take a small running stitch in the binding between the layers. (the only thread that should be showing is the “ladder” rung)
Then take the needle and insert it directly across from where your thread comes out and take a stitch parallel, and close to the machine stitching line. Your stitches will be loose at this point.
Repeat as shown along the length of the binding until you have about ¾ - 1” of “ladders” and then “draw up” or pull on thread to tighten binding against the quilt.
Just keep going and you will be finished in record time, with perfect binding!

Sometimes if I’m having trouble seeing the thread, I will use a lighter or contrasting thread.
It doesn’t matter because it’s going to be invisible anyway. (As long as you pull up your
stitches properly.)

I think you will find that doing the binding on your quilts will be TREAT!
You’ll even look forward to it!!

HAPPY BINDING!!!!!

Thanks for this! :D

What a neat idea. Thank You.

Thank you so much for this narrative. I hate to do hand stitiching but I may try this next time to see if I do better than I do with the whip, or my version of the invisible stitch which NEVER is. :oops:

I guarantee that you will love this stitch better than anything you've tried! I love doing binding now!
Good luck.

This is a fantastic way to hand stitch binding. Hand sewing is my favourite part of quilting and this method just enhances that.

Just be careful to not get carried away building the ladders before you pull them taut. It is such a slick way of doing it, that I sometimes forget to pause and pull. :)

It is a real bonus not to have to place clips before you start sewing the binding.

This needs to also be on the front page, maybe so more people will see it.

Thanks for this. It is wonderful!!

Wow! I'm glad you love it as much as I do!!!
Thanks for the heads-up on not getting carried away
with the "ladders". I find that if you are using flannel you need to pull the thread at shorter intervals.
Using stronger Quilting Thread is the key!
Thanks again!

I'm not exactly getting this. So is the stitching between the quilt and the binding so that it doesn't come to the top of the binding? It's the "invisible" part that's throwing me off. It seems that this would end up looking like hand quilting stitches. Please enlighten me.

Great stitch idea. I was wondering if anyone has used this stitch to sew quilt squares together if you are doing a "quilt as you go method"?

Your first stitch is parallel to the stitching that was used to put your binding on. It goes between the backing and the front.

When you go to the left to make your stitch in the binding, it goes between the two layers of fabric in the binding. Then the next stitch is the same as the first, etc. After you have made two or three ladders and you pull your thread, the stitches won't show because they are between layers of fabric.

I used blue thread to help you see it better. Once the ladders are pulled you can see why it's invisible as the blue thread doesn't show up in the green binding.

Hope this helps!

Fantastic visual instructions.....I can't wait to try this....thank you so very much

That's so cool. Much neater then how I have been stitching my bindings; will be trying out on my next quilt. thanks so much for the great tut.

Thanks. Now I see what you're saying. And I agree, great visuals. I was able to print this out with your pictures so I can use it for reference.

You're welcome. I hope I didn't overstep because this wasn't my original post. My apologies to fromthenestdesigns. Major props to her/him for starting this thread.

It's just that I am so enthusiastic about this stitch and I'm a visual learner so thought pictures were the best way to explain.

Janie,
Thanks for the visuals on Ladder Stitch Binding!! You did an awesome job "re-explaining" it.
Two heads are better than one you know!!!
I'm really glad everyone is getting on board with this awesome way of doing binding.
Happy Binding everyone!!
Robin

Before I became disabled I worked in an upholstery shop. That is the way I was taught to close pillow openings after they were stuffed. The owner of the shop (who happens to be my mother in law) has always used that method for hand sewing. It works really great and is easy once you get the hang of it.

So true!!! I've used it to repair a tear in a sofa and also a lined jacket that would have been impossible to mend. It's a very versatile stitch!!!
Thanks for sharing!

Thank you Janie. This is an awesome tutorial.

I did my last binding this way, having learned this from Sharon Schamber. What a wonderful way to do bindings now, especially if you will be showing your quilts.

Thanks so much for the great visuals, too. Excellent!

i've always done my binding that way . it's very strong and invisible. when you look at it, it's almost impossible to see that it was stitched at all.

This is a great stitch! A quilting buddy taught me (thanks Paula!). My invisible stitch was 'so so' - this stitch is amazing! Fast, looks good, easy - what more could we want!
I just have to be careful to not come through to the front of my quilt.....

Thanks for posting and sharing :-)

Janie - Thanks for this ... it looks so very neat and tidy. New to quilting and have just made some crib quilts for great-grandkids. Need to make another, just to try this. Kathi

thank you. Penny

I do a hiden knot ever couple of inches for I have seen the binding get cought and the threds pulls and pops. If you noted every few inches that is as far as it will pull.
Very nice pictures show iho it is done...

ConieF

Thanks Robin & Janie. As a newbie, I know this will come in handy.

Excellent thanks I am bookmarking this one.

Thank you for the visual, That is how I learn. Penny

Thanks! I'll have to try this.

Thank you both so much!!! I will give this a try on the quilt I am working on now :D:D:D

Wonderful tutorials, Janie and from the nest designs! This is new to me; I am using it on a binding right now and with your amazing instructions and pictures, I was able to learn! Beautiful stitch! Thank you both so much! :thumbup:

Great instructions and visuals! Thank you! I have seen the ladder stitch mentioned before but did not know what it was. Now I do!

Great Visuals - Thanks so much!

Never did mind hand-sewing binding but this method will be fun and satisfying I'll bet. Another week or so and I'll be trying it!

My friend loves this stitch; guess I shall have to give it a try on my next project.

Thank you both for this wonderful thread, I'm bookmarking it
right now. :D

Great advise thanks I'll do this :thumbup:

Yes, I agree. Your pictures really help. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks for the pictures. I am a visual person and I need pictures! I am getting ready to bind a quilt tomorrow and am going to give this a try. I think it looks very nice. I love this board. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone was as nice as quilters?

Never thought of that!

Thank you!! I'll try that on my next binding.