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The mattress stitch is the best way to make an invisible joint between two pieces during sewing a sweater or anything you are sewing. But not everyone knows how to stitch a mattress in a proper way. If you are also worried about how to stitch a mattress, then relax because, in this article, I am going to share easy steps to solve your problem. I am sure after reading this article you can also do this at home so, please read carefully.
Steps for how to stitch a mattress:
Lay the pieces to be sewed flat with the right sides facing you and the edges close to one another, aligning up the rows and stripes as much as you can. On the first row, tuck the needle in between the first and second stitches. Bring the needle back to the front between the first and second stitches of the row after sliding it beneath two rows. Ensure that none of them are turned upside down.
Starting seaming can be done from both sides. I usually begin on the right. In both cases, locate the first column of knit stitches and insert your tapestry needle in between them. The “V”s of two adjacent knit stitches should be separated by a small bar.
This quite resembles a small ladder. Pull your tapestry needle through the very first bar by going below it. Leave a tail of 5-7 inches if you’re using a separate seaming yarn so you can tie the end in after.
Find the first stitch column on the piece as well. Next, insert your needle between the first two stitches and drag it below the bar from bottom to top.
Please continue reading to better understand How to stitch a mattress in an easy and best way.
Find the bar right above the one you have passed through on the first piece, go back, and pass your tapestry needle through it once more. Depending on your own tastes and the density of the fabric, you can also pass through two bars at once.
You won’t feel a difference while knitting with very little needles, like those that are 3.00mm and below. However, you must choose one method if you want a seam that is even and unnoticeable.
Then turn around and draw the yarn below the second bar on the left as well. Continue picking up the bars with your tapestry evenly on both sides as you move back and forth between the two knitted portions. Close the seam by tugging on the yarn every inch or so of stitches. Avoid pulling too tightly. Your seam will buckle. If it happens, carefully stretch it out before you resume sewing.
After seaming is complete, give the tail(s) a light tug. The fabric shouldn’t loosen, but there also shouldn’t be any extra material stretched in between. You can gently massage the seam back into place if you pull too hard. Next, take a tapestry needle and begin sewing the tails into the seam on the back. From the right side, the mattress stitch join will be almost undetectable when complete. It will resemble a single stockinette stitch line.
However, there is a tiny seam on the other side. If you join the second or third column of knit stitches instead of the first two, the seam will be wider. Although I wouldn’t typically advise it, you may use it as a last option to reduce the size of a too-large sweater. Additionally, some stitch designs don’t provide a good edge, so choosing the second column can be preferable.
Additionally, there are bars between each pair of knit stitches and the V-shaped threads. Actually, it makes no difference which bar you choose as long as you select the same type of bar on both sides. Additionally, the sea will still be essentially invisible if you choose different bars on both sides.
From the right side, the mattress stitch join will be almost unnoticeable when completed. It will resemble a continuous stockinette stitch line. I hope after reading these steps on How to stitch a mattress, you can do it at home easily. Let’s read some tips and tricks for a better result.
Best tips & tricks for doing a mattress stitch:
The above seaming technique is really simple and easy to understand. In contrast to more complex patterns or difficult yarns, joining two pieces together in plain stockinette stitch is unquestionably a lot simpler. Here are some simple tips.
Holding the seam
I often hold the two pieces in my fingers. This makes using a mattress stitch to link them simpler and quicker. By doing so, you may bring it a little bit closer to your face and discover the next bar you need to pass through a little bit more easily.
Using pin
Some yarns have a lot of fluff. Moreover, it might be very challenging to see the next bar if you are simultaneously holding two threads of yarn, such as a lovely wool base and some mohair yarn, to provide a nice halo. It will be even harder if there are any increases in between.
You can pin the seam in place because of this. In the end, it probably won’t matter if you skip one bar. Your seam will pucker if there is a greater imbalance. However, if you pre-pinned the seam, you would be able to notice and correct it.
Adding a selvage stitch
The edges of Fair Isle or stranded knitting are typically not the finest. Or not an edge where the bars between a V are clearly visible. Even if you are able to, you frequently wind up pulling on a float or other objects that could damage your seam. It can be very beneficial to add two selvage stitches for this purpose. It’s less of a concern than you might imagine because after seaming, only half of that selvage stitch will be visible.
Conclusion:
In this article, I shared How to stitch a mattress in the easiest and best way. You can easily attach two pieces of a sweater easily without getting noticed. It is better to use the same color of yarn as of sweater for a better result. I also shared some tips and tricks for you to avoid making mistakes and to get a better result.