Frayed seam

If you have a frayed seam, such as in a lined jacket, where you can't reach the back of the fabric, you can repair it using this versatile technique called ladder stitches.

How to repair with a ladder stitches:

Make small stitches with the needle vertically under the fabric on the edges and horizontally over the fabric to the other side (the visible stitches being the "rungs" of the ladder). The stitches that go vertically under the fabric should follow each other in a straight line, as these will create the new edges that will close together when you pull the thread. Start a little before the point where the seam has unraveled and finish a little after. Gently pull the thread as you sew to close the hole where the seam was unraveled.

If used in a slightly curved shape, and you start and end the stitches at a zero point, this technique can actually also be used to hide a damage or stain. After pulling the thread and closing the fabric over the damaged area, press and/or topstitch to make the surface flat and neat.

Level: easy