I love ladder stitch. It’s ideal for attaching parts to a softie or doll. The seam it creates is sturdy and virtually invisible. This is the stitch I use to attach the head to the body in my Lovey Dovey patterns.
I made this 2-minute video to show you how I do it. I’ve found that I pick up new techniques quickly when I watch a demonstration so I’m excited to be supplementing my patterns with short demonstration videos this year. I hope you like them, too.
Here’s the full collection of Lovey Dovey patterns: set 1, set 2, and set 3. They look so happy all together!
My favorite thing about PDF patterns is that the designer can supplement the instructions with links to extras like videos and blog post tutorials that make the sewing easier.
I have one more video to to make for these. It will demonstrate how to sew the tail onto the body by machine. I think equipped with the pattern templates, instructions, and this little video series, almost anyone could make a handmade lovey for a new baby.
Your “softies” are adorable — wonderful for baby gifts! Approximately how long does it take you to make one, from start to finish? Faster than a simple baby quilt? That’s my go-to shower gift.
It takes about an hour from the time you begin cutting out the fabric until the final stitch (if you don’t make any errors!). I think these are pretty quick!
I’m sure everyone tells you this all the time but I am SOOOO LOVING everything you are doing here. Your podcast and blog are just such an absolute inspiration for me, particularly since I’ve had a daughter, you literally enrich the little scraps of time I get to myself and make my life better.
Thank you for the amazingly interesting HARD WORK you do on both the blo and podcast.
I am in awe and happily following along.
Anthea.
xx
That’s so nice of you to say, Anthea. Thank you.
Abbey, do you use the ladder stitch to stitch the head to the dolls you recently showed on your blog also?
I think you’re referring to my free pattern for the Josephine doll, Linda. If I’m correct than the answer is no. The head is pieced to the neck before the body is sewn up in that particular design. I do use ladder stitch to close the stuffing opening, though. I hope that helps.
I’m wondering how you pinned the head to the body.
Hi Abby, thank you so much for the tutorial on attaching the head to body using ladder stitch, I prefer the finished look this way, also thank you for your lovely blog.
God Bless,
You’re welcome, Brenda.