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How to Sew a Whip Stitch

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    1. How to Sew a Whip Stitch, How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Sew a Whip Stitch, How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 1, image 2 of 2
      • Align the two pieces of material you will be stitching together.

      • Thread your needle and tie a knot in the end of the thread.

      • We'll use a bright-colored thread for better contrast, but you may want to select a thread that matches the color of your fabric.

      • Drive the needle into the bottom layer of material from the back side.

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    2. How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 2, image 3 of 3
      • Pull the needle through the bottom layer of material.

      • Pull the thread taut.

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    3. How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 3, image 3 of 3
      • Drive the needle down through the top and bottom layers of fabric, close to where the needle came up.

      • The distance between where the needle comes up and goes down will be your stitch length. The smaller the stitch length, the more stitches required—and the stronger the seam.

      • Pull the thread taut on the backside of the bottom material.

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    4. How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 4, image 1 of 2 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 4, image 2 of 2
      • Continue bringing the needle up and down through both layers of fabric, as in steps 2 and 3 of this guide, working your way around the material.

      • If you are using this stitch as a repair where a stitch already exists, be sure to overlap the existing stitching by several stitches to help prevent it from unraveling.

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    5. How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 5, image 2 of 2
      • For the final stitch, come up from the back of the bottom material once again.

      • Draw the needle between the two layers of material through the stitch closest to where the needle came up.

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    6. How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 6, image 3 of 3
      • Slowly start to pull the thread taut. As you pull, you will see a loop form.

      • Draw the needle through the loop.

      • Pull the thread taut, forming a knot.

      • Repeat the process of driving the needle up from behind, drawing it through the stitch, and pulling it through the loop as described in steps 5 and 6 of this guide one more time.

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    7. How to Sew a Whip Stitch: step 7, image 1 of 1
      • Ensure that the stitches are tight.

      • Cut any remaining thread, and admire your handiwork.

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Brittany McCrigler

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