How to ladder stitch a passport case

How to make sure you won't forget your passport? Make Mollie Johanson's cute case with simple ladder stitch embroidery.

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Published: September 18, 2019 at 9:14 am

You will need

Notes

  • Use a 1cm (38in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
  • Ladder stitch takes some practice to keep the tension even, but it's okay if the stitches look a little wonky and sketch-like.

Working ladder stitch

Step 1

Work from top to bottom on two parallel lines. Come up on the left side and go down on the right, coming up just to the left of the right line. Go back down on the right line, just below the first stitch, and come up on the left line, just below the first stitch.

Needle and thread beginning ladder stitch

Step 2

On the left side, slide your needle under the horizontal stitch, keeping the needle above the working thread. This and the previous step set up the stitch and you only need to do this at the beginning of your stitching. 

Needle threading under stitch

Step 3

On the right side (RS), slide your needle under the X. Pull the thread so it is almost taut.

Needle and thread demonstrating ladder stitch

Step 4

Go back down on the right line just below the first stitch, and come up on the left line just below the first stitch.

Needle and thread demonstrating ladder stitch

Step 5

On the left side, slide your needle between the lowest horizontal stitch and the one above it, then under the small angled stitch. Repeat steps three to five as you work along the line. End by going down after the last repeat at step three.

Needle and thread demonstrating ladder stitch

Making the passport case

Step 1

how to ladder stitch a passport case _step6

Embroider the sketchy waves just to the right of centre on the linen fabric. Stitch the wide lines with ladder stitch in two colours, following the waves.

Step 2

Stitch the two thin lines with running stitch. Use three strands of stranded cotton throughout your stitching.

Step 3

From the quilting cotton cut out your case lining: 14.5 x 20.5cm.

Step 4

From the contrasting quilting cotton cut: Inner pockets: two 14.5 x 7cm (534 x 234in).

Step 5

Sew a 7mm (¼in) double-fold hem on one long edge of both inner pocket pieces. 

Step 6

Lay the two small pieces on the large quilting cotton rectangle with RS up and the hemmed edges toward the centre. Trim the embroidered linen piece to 14.5 x 20.5cm (534 x 818in) then place this on top RS down.

Step 7

Pin and sew around the sides with a 7mm (¼in) seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning on the bottom edge near the middle. Trim the corners to reduce bulk. Turn the case RS out. Press seams open. Sew the opening closed.

ladder stitched passport holder with passport