Difference between Blanket and Buttonhole stitches

We often use the names of the Blanket and Buttonhole stitches interchangeably, but in reality, these two are different stitches.

The differences between Blanket and Buttonhole stitch:

Buttonhole stitch is embroidered from right to left. The Blanket stitch – from left to right.
The blanket stitch has a smooth edge. Buttonhole stitch instead – has an edge with small bumps.
Buttonhole stitch is more robust and durable.
Blanket stitch is more simple and faster to embroider.
Both stitches are great for borders, edging, and securing the seams.
Buttonhole stitch will work better for buttonholes where the edge is consumed more.
On the back side, both stitches look the same.

How to embroider Blanket stitch

Work from left to right.
Push the needle up at the top left corner and make a stitch to the lower line. Leave the loop of the working thread open.
Come up on the upper line right above the previous stitch and close the loop.
Repeat the stitches.
Finish with an anchor stitch.

How to embroider Buttonhole stitch

Buttonhole stitch is embroidered from right to left.
Come up with a needle at the starting point.
One stitch away, make a stitch from the top downwards and pass a needle in the loop of the working stitch.
Pull your working stitch upwards to close the loop.
Repeat the stitch.
Finish with an anchor stitch.

Video tutorial

For more visual learning – watch a video tutorial where I demonstrate how to embroider both Buttonhole and Blanket stitches.

In conclusion

Even if both Buttonhole and Blanket stitch have similar techniques and their names are often used interchangeably, they are different stitches and have their own purpose in the hand embroidery world.

If you want to learn more about the stitches from the Blanket stitch family, I recommend reading “Blanket stitch and its variations” article on this blog.

More hand embroidery stitches

Looking for some other hand embroidery stitch? Head to this blog’s Stitches and Techniques page and choose the stitch you want to learn! Besides that, you can watch video tutorials of all hand embroidery stitches on this blog on the Practical Embroidery YouTube channel or on the Video Lessons page on this blog.