How to Sew: The Invisible Seam Stitch | Hand Sewing Tutorial for Beginners | Ladder/Slip Stitch

The invisible stitch (also known as a slip or ladder stitch) is a very useful hand sewing method to know, as it enables you to sew up open seams from the outside of a sewn item - and yet the stitches can hardly be seen, making this a very neat way of finishing your sewing project.
I demonstrate the technique in this video using thin cotton fabric and regular cotton sewing thread. To join two fabric edges together, those edges must be folded (hemmed), otherwise the method won't work.
I have also provided a diagram showing how the stitches are made, to make it all a bit clearer.
You'll find the invisible stitch mostly used to close up the final section of open seam on stuffed toys or cushions.
Thanks for watching!
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[@dannz2241]

play at 1.75 speed ,very helpful👏👏☺️

[@nalinneha4609]

I'm glad Im not only the impatient one😂 I watched at 2X speed tho.
She explains too much but it's helpful

[@kayladarling9117]

O.o you just changed my entire life. I didn't know you could change the speed. I'm SUPER ADHD, slow talking makes it so hard to focus. I learn and understand SO much easier when it's fast!!!!! You. Are. Amazing.

[@kayladarling9117]

Well... I guess normal speed talking, not slow- just slow for my brain lol

[@imaginethatsyjohnniqa7869]

Thank you because I was falling asleep 😭🤞🏾💯

[@aerialkate]

Excellent thank you. I really appreciate the fact that you took the time to explain little things that other tutorials miss and that you anticipate problems such as how to end the stitching. Because so many just say "Here i just sewed over myself" (whatever that means)/ "I did a couple of backstitches" - that doesn't work for certain situations and absolute beginners just think "I've got to go to another tutorial now to find out how to do that!". Stuff like that puts people off perservering. I've watched a couple of your clips and am impressed so I subscribed.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank-you very much for your nice comment :) ... I do like to be thorough!

[@survival_of_the_sickest4448]

👏🙌👏

[@someidiot5636]

0

[@CurtriceHertlein-qj3qn]

I've seen several videos about this stitch. But, yours is the first I've seen which explains exactly where to put your needle for each part of the stitch. TYSM for sharing this video with us. It's very helpful. 👍😉

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was useful!

[@brendawilson3390]

Thank you so much! I have no sewing skills whatsoever, and this video showed me how to accomplish my first project of repairing a seam on my husband’s coveralls. So proud!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad you found it useful :)

[@coleortiz5842]

3:50

[@sophia-nb4mw]

Chloe Ortiz bless you

[@memoonaasif8625]

I was about to die. Thanks.

[@bagbag5216]

Thank you

[@Priya-by9qp]

Thank you

[@smidgentigre]

Excellent for remembering this seam! Thank you!

[@ela2168]

Loved this video. Thank you so much. It literally took me only 10 minutes to fix my jeans with these stitches. Thank you again.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@ElsieMarina]

Thank you so much! This is such a well explained video with all the details I needed!, just repaired my jeans and it turned pretty fine on my first try!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :) Glad you found the video useful!

[@ermionikiparissi8147]

Thank you soo much!! please do more videos for us because you explain so well !! I am sure more people would like this as well❤

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thank you :D

[@23rdGiant]

Thanks, it worked flawless. Cheers!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Great! Thanks :)

[@johntay8725]

Hi Rokolee, this is an excellent video! Thank you!
However, I found that inserting the needle below the fold of the hem like at 4:47 produces a hem that is rippled and not flat. The thread pulls that little bit more material to the top once the stitch is tightened. I found that inserting the needle right smack on the fold itself produced a much better final look.

[@clairebordeaux]

But if you insert the needle down into the fold, it wouldn’t be hidden, right?

[@johntay8725]

@@clairebordeaux I have to admit I was using black thread on my wife's black office skirt so I probably had a lot more room for error. Having a crinkly looking office skirt was just unacceptable, so I improvised. I felt the end result was pretty good, you wouldn't notice the repair if you weren't staring hard at it. Fun fact: The wifey never wore it again after the repair. She doesn't trust the stitches would hold... T.T

[@derrenlambert2279]

Got a seam come apart on the cuff of an Alpha Industries MA1 pilot jacket, your video has saved me a fortune, was gonna buy a new one, not now.. Thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@Isabella0923]

This was super helpful. i was looking at like five videos to learn how to do this stitch and none of them were as helpful as this video thank you so much 🙂😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw i'm so glad! Thanks for watching :)

[@faun8103]

Tysm for this! I'm getting into making and selling clothes more recently so this will definitely help!!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome! Good luck with your venture :)

[@RAJOHN-ke7mc]

Thank you so much. I had a pair of pants that ripped at the seam. There is a lining so I could realistically sew it on the inside.
I also didn't have the correct color thread and this worked wonderfully

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad you found it useful :)

[@ElysiumASMR]

Thank you for this! just fixed a tie on my favourite wrap dress using your instruction

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad it helped you :)

[@sojournertothecity4037]

Great little video, without background music often found on other sites which can drown out the instructions. Thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@gloriajackson759]

Great video! Explained so that beginner like me can understand. I am going to try this today!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Thanks for watching

[@milicacar1217]

You are a life saviour, this tutorial was so detailed and helpful. Thank you so much!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank-you, I'm glad it was helpful :D

[@ramonabailey8197]

Thank you for the refresher!❤

[@annrippel365]

Thank you best video and explanation. Appreciate great quality of video.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks :)

[@wildbeagle]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed. Very well done!

[@RokoleeDIY]

I'm glad it was helpful to you :D

[@LVXMagick]

Very helpful and so well made. The video really made it easy to see and understand. Eternal thanks!🙏🖤🥰

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are very welcome!

[@bigron2215]

Thank you ma'am from Sunny San Diego 🌞! Excellent tutorial. You are appreciated. 👍🏾

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@TheToothpikk]

This is some good ish right here 🙌🏾

[@carolmalenofski90]

I viewed many invisible seam stitch tutorials before I found this one which is the very best and easiest to understand and follow. Thanks.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thank you :D

[@alexanderbt1987]

Wow, you did a wonderful job of walking us through every single, little step, thank you for that and for the diagram, VERY helpful! Also loved the little trick of hiding the thread at the end!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thank you :D

[@hazydreamer7965]

Extremely helpful. Thank you, now I´ll look for your other videos.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :)

[@yasminm6028]

Very useful, thank you!

[@kieracoco]

Thanks so much! This is the best video among the other videos on this stitch, since you go slow and zoom in!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@nicolajones775]

Thank you so much I’ve sewed my jacket back together 😊 very easy to learn with the step by step guide much appreciated

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Thanks for your comment :)

[@merrylyneniangti7657]

Best,easy,simple sewing I 've know

[@fivegayrats4963]

This video was a life saver for me

[@RokoleeDIY]

Brilliant!

[@CA-LOVEFORJESUSCHRIST]

You have the best video....thank you it was very helpful.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@Baron-Ortega]

Well mine looks like it was done by Tarzan but thanks for the video it was very helpful. I'm 38 and my mother was overjoyed I've finally learned to fix some of my clothes myself lol

[@RokoleeDIY]

Haha :)

[@4dystopian_edits6]

Thank you sooo much! This is the only tutorial that helped me successfully do this stitch! I’m making a throw pillow and want to close off the area I stuffed through

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! I'm glad it worked for you :)

[@gayathriramdas4342]

ThankYou Very Much ❤️

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@aLfiE_2.1v]

Thank you very much, it really does helps me rather than those old pamphlets i have

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@kestraavalon]

Very helpful video! Thanks 😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@spurthichadharam9144]

Thank you for teaching us, I think we can shall may ( with suitable helping verb) sit at home and still stitch clothes sell and earn money, this is a good idea especially for house staying ladies

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank for watching :)

[@KelseyDunlevy]

Thank you! Super simple to follow along.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ShaneNewville]

Ive had zero reason to sew until my kids' stuffed animals started getting holes in them. This is super helpful. thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad it helped you

[@quetzallioyosa4543]

Thank you! Finally fixed a pair of pants and a sweater 😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Thanks for watching :)

[@llddau]

I did it! Thanks so much for teaching me this. I’ve tried to make an invisible stitch before but let’s say it was not very good. Just kind of made it up as I went along and found out that was not the time to be creative. I am going back to my dress to unpick a re-sew now! I am a bit apprehensive as the material is very thin but the splits are not really where people would see the stitching anyway.
Can you now show us how to fix a very small hole in a top with thin-ish material?

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks and good luck! Watch this space :)

[@terrancetonyatalks7724]

That’s just what I needed. Thankssss!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent!

[@heidijagler8533]

Great video!! Easy to follow. Great descriptions.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks so much!

[@GloriaGaggini]

Thank you very helpful

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@gloriwest]

Excellent video! Thanks!❤️

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@mominihon]

LOVE

[@lukejeffers1657]

Thank you for your help.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@MJK-rc2bk]

thank you

[@sethumadhavi]

Lovely vid. Very clear demo. Thanks for sharing.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks :)

[@shea042501]

Thank you so much for the wonderful demonstration!! 😀

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :D I'm glad you found it useful!

[@xaverivsvictor]

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks for watching :)

[@IshitaPandey10]

Thank you for the tutorial. Your instructions were really easy to understand, for a beginner like myself.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@audree9226]

Thanks! Very helpful and well explained :)

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :D

[@supportbd7142]

Wow, very clever technique.Really good. Thanks

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank-you :)

[@section9198]

thank you 👕

[@COOLEVELYNNN]

So helpful!! Thank you!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome!

[@aaleia1]

I truly appreciate this demonstration. It is clear and concise.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@ericbriglia2869]

I read your comment too fast at first and thought you said, "the truth is it's in another dimension." Shit that cracked me up. Anyway...

[@cherylwhite1163]

Thank you

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :)

[@honorbywater932]

Thank you so much I was able to fix my favorite scrunchies

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent!

[@j-iangeulen5411]

thankyou...

[@rachrich423]

Definitely going to use this on my cosplay! Thank you so much

[@RokoleeDIY]

I'm glad it was useful :)

[@Elizabeth-wz1ct]

Thank you so much! Easiest video to follow for beginners!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you:D

[@MamaBanana]

Great tutorial. The graphic was so helpful. Also since it’s not an actual project you are working, it was super clear to see what you were doing. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :D I'm glad you found it useful.

[@jennifereline9409]

Great tutorial, thank you so much!!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@johnkoester7795]

I am making a new arm for my woody doll when I was done making it I realized that I made it too wide so I trimmed it down a bit to match the same Arm i made a year or two ago

[@xg__garbled]

i wish all tutorials were this clear and informative. thank you for taking the time to make and share this video. 🦋

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you very much :D

[@sorayapierre7432]

Watched this video a few months ago and watched it today and I Finally did it righttt

[@RokoleeDIY]

Yay!

[@joesilverbliss1721]

Thank you very much for this excellent video. I have to repair a split seam on my boat seat cushion. It is a little different but I have some curved needles that I think will help me. Joe

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks! Yeah curved needles are great for upholstery :)

[@ZulMasriAl-Kampary]

It works, thank you..

[@cupcakequeen011]

This was super helpful. 👌❤😀

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank-you :)

[@itsa_meo_geo]

this video was great! I had a bag that was coming apart on one seam, and it had a lining so couldn’t work from the inside out. No other video explained this clearly how to do it! Looks good as new now

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much, I'm glad it helped!

[@lalrindikiralte5964]

Even only the thumbnail helped me

[@RokoleeDIY]

:)

[@bubbley1963]

Thank you for helping me finish a memory pillow!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome!

[@TayRawSaDPanda78]

Thank you so much! I'm good that all I needed. I'm turning into a renaissance Mom!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Ha! Thanks for watching!

[@clairebordeaux]

I am repairing holes in my husband’s shorts...the bottom of the front pockets seams have come apart (I assume from him placing his keys in them repeatedly over time). Is this an appropriate stitch to use? Will it be strong enough?

[@RokoleeDIY]

If those seams are visible when worn I would use invisble stitch, but if those seams are hidden I would use backstitch because it's stronger :)

[@sharon5474]

Where do you find that needle holder? It looks really handy!

[@RokoleeDIY]

It's just what the needles came in when I bought them :)

[@jn3654]

Thank you so much. This was definitely helpful.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@zaithackorie9962]

How lide

[@LeanBEAN07]

I'm sitting here wondering who is that 516 people who disliked this video like: 👁👄👁

[@kaitlynn7667]

if i were to ever need to, would i be able to undo this?

[@RokoleeDIY]

Sure, just use a seam ripper :)

[@seemarajderkar3019]

Thanks for the nice n clear demo of ladder / invisible stitches.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@RachelCaruso]

Thanks! I hadn't sewn anything for 20 years, since 6th grade home ec. I easily managed to repair a pocket seam with this video. Those simple things feel empowering. . .

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! I'm glad the video was useful :)

[@kcryeung1]

Your video is nice and up to the point, I m trying this on my jacket back vent where it was torn, the jacket is leather, what you might suggest for me? Thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

If the leather is too thick for using the invisible stitch, I would try backstitch along the seam and if that doesn't work, the most popular stitch for leather is saddle stitch :)

[@sodakid7397]

this is the most helpful video on this ive found! thanks

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :D

[@bin._.pan_]

Im just starting to sew because i want to make plush toys, but im having trouble cutting the fabric big enough to fold so that id be able to sew the seams, i just finished a really bad plush because of no folding, please help 😭
When i sketch out do i attach the paper to the fabric so that i can make it bigger to fold?

[@RokoleeDIY]

I'm not 100% sure but I think you're talking about seam allowances - you need to add a seam allowance around the edge of the shape so that you have enough fabric to then make the seam. I'd put that term into Google to learn more about it, I'm sure there are plenty of tutorials out there :)

[@mohammedzaheed0786]

Really helpful video for beginners lyk me☺

[@ritabaanswain2845]

I'm gonna sew up my li'l teddy...

[@chalkychoochoo2304]

I hope teddy is all healed by now 🧸🙏

[@Eyup.z]

Azcik hızli konus aw

[@wenweisoo5878]

This is very helpful tqvm!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@valbankz292]

🤗❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗

[@matzanni]

I didn't get the first knot, anyone care to explain?

[@olamideishie538]

Does it last?

[@RokoleeDIY]

Absolutely! Just make sure the start and end of the thread is secured to the fabric :)

[@midnightwolf_13]

Thank you so much! This was so well explained and helpful, I'm sewing plushies for the first time this weekend :D

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :) I hope your sewing went well!

[@midnightwolf_13]

​@@RokoleeDIY Yep it went awesome!! Thank you again for such an amazing tutorial and pattern!

[@admac5117]

Nice Info, Nice Speech Too..

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks :D

[@HoodSwami]

Great video! Do you tie a knot on the end opposite of the needle to make sure they don’t just pull through when you get near the end?

[@RokoleeDIY]

As long as you secure the thread to the fabric (with some kind of knot) at the beginning and end, it'll work :)

[@ClaraMadelaine]

Very good!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks!

[@jyothivanga562]

Thank you. It helped a lot

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it helped :)

[@themachfivepets997]

Thank you thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!