How do I work a simple needle join?
Here’s an easy way to join motifs using a whip stitch…
One of the simplest needle joins uses a whip stitch (also known as ladder stitch or oversewing). You’ll need a tapestry needle threaded with a length of yarn – you could use the long tail end of one motif or cut a length of yarn that matches the final round of the motifs. I’ve used a contrasting yarn so you can see the stitches.
Place your motifs right sides up, lining up the two edges to be joined. Starting at one end (I started at the left-hand end, but you don’t have to), line up the corner stitch on each motif – if you start here then the rest of the stitches should line up evenly.
Place the two corner stitches so that their back loops are touching – the back loop is the strand at the top of the stitch that lies at the outermost edge of the motif.
Step 1 Insert the threaded needle under the back loop of the stitch on the motif nearest to you, then under the back loop of the stitch on the other motif.
Step 2 Keep the motifs where they are, don’t move or rotate them. Bring the threaded needle over the top of the two stitches and insert the needle in the same way as Step 1. Repeat this action all the way to the end of the edge. Joining just the back loops like this means that the remaining front loops create a neat ‘frame’ around the motif.
Tip To avoid puckering the edges of the motifs, be careful not to pull the thread too tightly as you work the seams. And, keep the tension even along the full length of seams; to help you achieve this it’s a good idea to work on complete rows in the same sitting – being more or less energetic at different sittings can make quite a difference!