Ladder Stitch (Invisible Stitch) Tutorial for Beginners

Invisible stitch, also called ladder stitch, is a beginner hand sewing technique used to close openings in pillows, stuffed toys, linings, and seams with nearly invisible stitching. The stitches are hidden within the folded fabric edges, so the seam closes neatly with no visible thread on the outside. Ladder stitch is especially useful for sewing soft toys, repairing ripped seams, and closing projects after turning them right side out. This tutorial will show you how to sew ladder stitch to get an invisible finish on all your sewing projects.

What is Invisible Stitch?

Invisible stitch, commonly called ladder stitch, is a hand sewing stitch used to close openings with hidden stitches that are barely visible from the outside. The stitches are sewn between folded fabric edges in a side-to-side motion that resembles the rungs of a ladder before the thread is pulled tight. Ladder stitch is commonly used for pillows, stuffed toys, seam repairs, linings, and sewing projects that need an invisible closure after turning.

Learn more beginner hand sewing techniques in the complete hand stitching for beginners guide.

What is Ladder Stitch Used For?

Invisible stitch or ladder stitch can be used to solve many common problems and is particularly useful in mending. It can be used for:

• SOFT TOYS – An invisible stitch is commonly used for stuffed toy sewing patterns. Even if you aren’t sewing a toy pattern from scratch you may have ended up here looking for a way to repair your child’s beloved teddy or bunny rabbit toy which has been loved to the point it is falling apart.
• MENDING – It is extremely useful for mending a ripped seam and closing gaps in clothing and hats before topstitching.
• PILLOWS – The ladder stitch is also a great invisible stitch to close a pillow.

For invisible HEMS, see my article on hemming stitch

Supplies for Ladder Stitch

Most of these sewing supplies for sewing an invisible stitch you should already have.

1. Needle: A sharp hand-sewing needle appropriate for your fabric.
2. Thread: Thread in a matching color to the fabric you are sewing. Polyester or cotton-covered polyester is commonly used.
3. Fabric: The material you will be sewing. The stitch is most effective on fabrics that aren’t too thick or heavy.
4. Scissors: For cutting your thread cleanly.
5. Pins or Clips: To hold the fabric in place while you sew.
6. Thimble: To protect your finger when pushing the needle through the fabric (optional but recommended for thicker fabrics).
7. Seam Ripper: Useful for undoing stitches if you make a mistake.

How to Sew Invisible Stitch (Step by Step)

1. Preparation

Now before you start, make sure you have great lighting and your best pair of reading glasses for a truly invisible ladder stitch. Start by threading the needle with either a single thread or double thread and knot the end. I have used a contrast thread for this tutorial but you will want to use a matching one to create a truly invisible stitch.

Use fine but good quality thread as you will be doing some gentle pulling and you don’t want the thread to break halfway through your job. 

2. Starting Invisible Stitch

Insert the needle up through the center opening on the far right, up through the crease, or fold to the top. This will hide the knot inside your project.

Invisible stitch is worked from right to left.

You will notice the direction I am sewing is right to left. I’m right-handed, so this will be the correct direction for most of you. If you are left-handed, you may find it easier to reverse the direction of stitches.

3. First Invisible Stitches

Now take a tiny stitch along the fold of the fabric on the opposite side of the opening. This is from point 2 to point 3 in the diagram below. Notice how (2) is in the folded fabric or the seam allowance and directly across from point (1).

The stitches in my tutorial are about 1/4 inch (6mm) in length so you could see how to do an invisible stitch. You will want to make yours at most 1/8 inch (3mm). The smaller your stitches the more it will blend into your seam with minimal gaps.

Pass the needle across to the original side and along the fold again from point 4 to point 5.

4. Repeat and Pull

Continue in the same pattern from side to side. This diagram will help you visualize the motion of stitching across. See how you are passing from one side to the next and hiding the stitches in the fold of the seam.

You can pull each stitch tight as you go or pull the stitches closed after you get to the end. I prefer to take a few stitches and then pull and then stitch again. Don’t leave it too long before you pull as the thread can sometimes get tangled.

If you are sewing a toy or cushion with stuffing inside, just make sure the stuffing fibers are not poking out the holes. You will need to keep pushing the stuffing back inside as you go. You can see from the photo how it got its name ladder stitch (slip stitch) – the stitches going across look a little like ladder rungs.

5. Knot Off and Finish

When you get to the end, knot the thread off as you would normally. If you are a beginner, this is done by leaving a loop in the last stitch and then putting the needle back through the loop and pulling tight. Don’t cut the thread just yet as we want to hide the ends.

Pass the thread through the opening and into the item, coming up a short distance away. Cut off the thread. If you pull a little before you cut, the thread will pull back inside when released, hiding the evidence of the ends.

Here, I have used a ladder stitch to close the legs on the Rachel Toy Pattern. See how it is a great stitch for toys, as the closure is almost invisible.

Common Invisible Stitch Mistakes and Tips

An invisible stitch can look messy if the stitches are too large or the thread tension is uneven. Sewing small, even stitches and using matching thread will help the seam blend neatly into the fabric.

Common Mistake	Tip
Visible stitches	Use matching thread
Uneven seam	Keep stitches evenly spaced
Puckered fabric	Avoid pulling thread too tightly
Gaps in seam	Sew smaller stitches
Tangled thread	Use shorter thread lengths

Here are some extra tips for making your invisible stitch truly invisible.

• Use Matching Thread – Choose a thread that closely matches the color of your fabric to make the stitch even more invisible.
• Use Small Stitches – When stitching, try to keep the stitches close enough to hold the fabric securely, but not so close that they show or pucker the fabric.
• Press After Stitching – For some fabrics, a gentle press with an iron can help to further blend the stitches into the fabric. This can also disguise any slight puckering.

Remember, like any other skill, it takes practice to get good at sewing an invisible stitch. So don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t perfect. With time and patience, you’ll improve your technique.

Ladder Stitch vs Slip Stitch

Ladder stitch and slip stitch are both nearly invisible hand sewing stitches, but they are used differently. Ladder stitch is mainly used to close openings in pillows, toys, and seams, while slip stitch is more commonly used for hems, bindings, and folded fabric edges.

Invisible Ladder Stitch FAQs

Pin for Later

Invisible Stitch – In Conclusion

Invisible stitch, also called ladder stitch, is one of the most useful beginner hand sewing techniques for closing openings neatly with hidden stitching. It is especially useful for pillows, stuffed toys, seam repairs, and sewing projects that require an invisible finish. With practice, small evenly spaced stitches will create strong, nearly invisible seams that blend neatly into the fabric.

More Hand Stitching

• Blanket Stitch
• Running Stitch
• How to Sew a Seam by Hand
• How to Whip Stitch
• Backstitch