Ladder stitch
{{About|the invisible seam closing stitch|the decorative ladder stitch|Hemstitch}}
A ladder stitch, or mattress stitch, is a stitch which can be used to invisibly close seams from the outside of the garment or item. It is primarily used to close seams on stuffed items, such as pillows, mattresses, down coats or stuffed toys, where, after the stuffing is added, there is no access to the back of the fabric. It can also be used to repair split seams on these items or garments, or to alter clothing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wikihow.com/Ladder-Stitch|title=How to Ladder Stitch|website=wikiHow|language=en|access-date=2019-12-22}}{{UGC|date=March 2023}}
It can also be used in surgery sutures to close an incision in the skin. In this context it is called a running subcuticular suture or running subcuticular closure.{{cite video|title=Surgeon Explains How to Apply Stitches|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-yWx772qFU&feature=youtu.be&t=541|time=9:01|type=Video|publisher=Wired|via=YouTube|language=en|date= November 27, 2019|access-date=2020-02-01}}{{Citation|last=Kantor|first=Jonathan|title=The Running Subcuticular Suture|date=2017|url=https://accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2076§ionid=156454625#1172925201|work=Atlas of Suturing Techniques: Approaches to Surgical Wound, Laceration, and Cosmetic Repair|publisher=McGraw-Hill Education|access-date=2023-03-05}}{{Cite web|first1=Julian|last1=Mackay-Wiggan|first2=Desiree|last2=Ratner|url=https://www.medscape.com/answers/1824895-32083/what-are-indications-for-the-running-subcuticular-suture-technique|title=What are indications for the running subcuticular suture technique?|website=Medscape Pediatrics|date=July 10, 2018|access-date=2019-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222105111/https://www.medscape.com/answers/1824895-32083/what-are-indications-for-the-running-subcuticular-suture-technique|archive-date=December 22, 2019|url-status=dead}}