How to End the Blanket Stitch

Our tutorial on sewing the blanket stitch was very popular, and many readers asked the important question of how to end the blanket stitch. 

Learning how to tie off embroidery can be a little tricky, since knots and extra threads are things the stitcher does not want showing in the finished piece.

There are three different ways to end the blanket stitch, depending on how many layers of fabric are being stitched and where the blanket stitch is ending.

To learn how to Blanket Stitch Around Corners, follow the link to our tutorial!

Learn more about ending the blanket stitch by watching the video or reading this post.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Felt or other sturdy fabric
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS for ending the blanket stitch with two pieces of fabric

STEP 1: Make the final blanket stitch

When stitching this embroidery stitch all around the fabric, once back to the beginning of the stitches,

make the final blanket stitch, making sure all of the stitches are even.

step 2: Making the tiny knot at the top of the stitching

Taking the needle, go under the vertical floss on the first stitch made.  Gently pull the floss. 

Next, take the needle and floss up and under the horizontal portion of the stitch.

With the fingers, gently tug on the floss to bring it completely up to the top of the fabric.

Next, a tiny knot needs to be made by bringing the needle up through the horizontal portion of the stitch again and bringing the needle through the loop that is made.  

Pull gently to tighten the knot.

step 3: Hiding the end of the floss

Because there are two pieces of fabric, it is possible to hide the end of the embroidery floss. Take the needle and run it down between the two pieces of fabric.

This will avoid cutting off the floss at the top and leaving the knot showing.

Bring the needle up through the top fabric, about an inch or two away from the blanket stitching.

Simply snip the floss that has been brought up through the top fabric, and the end of the floss will be hidden inside the two pieces of fabric.

instructions for ending the blanket stitch with only one layer of fabric

step 1: Make the final blanket stitch

Once the blanket stitching has come all of the way back to where it began, make one final blanket stitch.

step 2: Secure the stitch with a knot

As in step 2 above, take the needle and insert it under the vertical stitch line. Pull the floss gently up toward the top of the fabric.

Next, run the needle up through the horizontal portion of the blanket stitch. After gently tugging, the floss should be at the top of the fabric.

Make a small knot by running the needle under the floss at the top of the stitch and through the loop of working floss.

Make sure the knot is at the top of the fabric, very close to where the floss was brought up through the horizontal portion of the stitch.

step 3: Make a small knot on the back of the fabric

Turn the fabric over to the back. Bring the floss to the back of the fabric by putting the needle under the vertical stitch on the back.

Make a small knot in the back by stitching through the loop that is made with the working thread.

Gently tug on the thread until the knot is tight on the back of the fabric. Cut the floss close to the final knot.

instructions for ending the blanket stitch when the stitching is stopped before the first stitch was made

Step 1: Make the final Blanket stitch

Ending the blanket stitch in the middle of stitching is much like ending the blanket stitch with one piece of fabric.

Make the final blanket stitch.

The blanket stitch will end at the top of the stitching on the fabric.

step 2: secure the last stitch with a knot

Make a knot at the top of the last stitch by pushing the needle through the horizontal portion of the final blanket stitch.

Insert the needle thought the loop and gently pull the knot tight.

step 3: Make a small knot on the back of the fabric

Turn the fabric over to the back. Another knot is going to be made on the back of the fabric as was done when the blanket stitch was ended with one piece of fabric.

Put the floss through the final stitch on the back without going through the fabric. Pass the needle through the vertical stitch on the back.

Make a small knot by pushing the needle through the loop that is made by the working thread.

The knot should be secured at the bottom of the final blanket stitch. Using the scissors, cut the floss off at the end of the finished knot.

There you have it... Three different ways to tie off embroidery when making the blanket stitch!

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Keep reading for links to pages on our site that relate to embroidery!

• Basic Blanket Stitch Tutorial
• Blanket Stitching Around Corners
• Hand Embroidery Tutorials