There are several hand stitches that are often used in doll-making.
Ladder Stitch
How to do it: If you don’t know how to do the ladder stitch, have a look at the diagram above.
I’ve used red thread so you can see the stitch better. The blue lines indicate where the thread is travelling through the fabric. When you pull the thread taut the two bits of fabric butt together. You should pull the thread taut as you go, but I have left it loose at the end here so you can see the stitch better. Check out Mimi Winer's explanation of this invaluable stitch here.
When to use it: This stitch is great for attaching limbs and heads to the body of a doll. It is also suitable when you want an invisible join.
Whip Stitch (also called overhand stitch)
How to do it: Check out this excellent tutorial from Future Girl on how to do a whip stitch.
When to use it: For decorative stitching, especially when joining non-fraying fabric such as felt or leather (great for wee doll shoes) or joining edges on little objects like this shrine that is part of my Soul Whisperer online class.
Whip Stitch can also be used for non- decorative stitching. I use it to shape the batting when I use the wrapped wire armature method of doll making, particularly on the feet, creating great shape and keeping the batting from looking too puffy.
I also use this stitch a lot when I make mini doll hats like Finders Keepers' bonnet below to hold the under-structure of the hat together.
Slip Stitch or Blind Hem
How to do it: Check out this video from Expert Village to see how it is done:
When to use it: To hem. Personally, I hate visible machine stitched hems on dolls because the scale of the stitching is too large for wee tiny cloth people (picky, I know). So I use slip stitch for hems.
Running Stitch
How to do it: Here is another video from Expert Village on this very simple stitch:
When to use it: Use this stitch for a gathering stitch or for basting. I don't advise that you use it to hold anything together permanently as this stitch is not strong or secure enough.
Back Stitch
How to do it: Expert Village shares another great video, this time demonstratingthe back-stitch:
When to use it: If you must hand sew a seam that has to be secure and permanent then use the back stitch.
There are so many other hand stitches to use that you could just keep going, so check out this short and sweet overview of stitches, including many of the stitches above plus tacking.
Do you struggle to tie knots in your thread to get yourself going? Check out this great tutorial from Heather Bailey. I do something similar myself but I wind the thread on my finger, not a needle. And it takes seconds.
Well, I think that little guide has got hand-sewing all stitched up!
