Hi Everyone!!  I know it’s been a while since I last posted, shared a video or a project.  Thanks for all the kind messages and emails wondering where I’ve been.  Summer was winding down and I was spending time with my Wonderful Son!!  He’s at an age that he still wants to hang out and do things with me, so I was enjoying that time with him while I still have it!!  I’m sure many of you are parents and can understand juggling work, play and blogging.

So as life is getting back to normal, I thought I’d share a video on using your machine’s decorative stitches.  As I continue my Video Series on Learning to Sew featuring the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, many of you asked for this, so here it is.  The truth is that I used to wonder why machines had all of those “other” stitches.  For many, many years I only had a straight stitching machine with a buttonhole attachment and got along just fine.  Even later when I upgraded to a TOL Embroidery Machine, I still really didn’t “get it” and thought those deco stitches added a kind of “homemade look” to my work that was like death to me.  BUT NOW, I’ve found they really can add a unique quality and charm to a garment or project and also make it look more expensive.  So I’m going to show you some tips and tricks on how to use your decorative stitching functions.

Of course using just regular sewing thread with a decorative stitch is pretty fantastic all on it’s own, but to me, decorative stitching goes hand and hand with decorative threads.  Here’s some of my embroidery thread stash on a thread rack my husband made for me.  They are mostly Madeira Rayon  40wt and Robison Anton 50wt.  There are a few orphans sprinkled in as well.


If you’ve dipped your toe into machine embroidery at all, you’ve found a wonderful selection of threads on the market.  From metallic to rayon’s to variegated, the list goes on and on. 

These are Sulky 40wt embroidery threads.  On the left are the variegated and on the right are the solid rayon threads.  These are especially nice and shiny.
These are Madeira 40wt variegated threads.  They’re also rayon and are bright and shiny.
These are Signature Metallic threads.  If you decide to use metallic threads in a project it’s important to remember to use a needle in your machine made for sewing metallic threads.  It typically has a larger hole as to not fray the thread as it’s stitched.  It’s also important to stitch at a slower speed to insure less abrasion to the thread as it’s stitching.
These are Variegated Metallics from Madeira, Signature, and Sulky.  They all need the same special care as any metallic thread would, but all stitch out beautifully.
There are also large cones of embroidery thread.  They come in a wide variety of colors, fiber content, and variegation.  Make sure if you’re planning to use a larger cone of thread, you have a thread stand and thread nets to properly use these threads in your machine. This is the thread stand I use with all of my machines.  There are many brands on the market, some are metal and some are plastic.  Mine are all plastic and were purchased at Joann Fabrics years ago when the notions wall was on sale. 

The more you explore your deco stitches, the more your excitement will grow, believe me.  They add so much to any garment or project that it’s worth exploring your options.  Have fun and play around with your decorative stitches.  As you can see, there are many thread manufacturers to choose from.  I don’t endorse any particular brand of thread and my machines are not picky about the threads I choose to use.  Many sewing machine manufacturers will recommend specific thread brands to use in their machines, so be aware this may apply to your machine.  Even if you don’t have a machine with lots of different stitches, just by using unique threads, changing your stitch width or length or using a twin needle can give you lots of options.

I’d like to share some tips with you to make your use of decorative stitches look more professional and precise.
 

TIP #1:  Choose your test fabric wisely.  By this I mean, use a nice woven fabrication to experiment with.  Don’t choose something right out of the gate that could be troublesome like chiffon or a knit.  I LOVE to embroider on Denim.  It always looks great and it a stable fabric that’s perfect for practicing.

Tip #2:  Always make sure to interface all areas that you plan to do decorative stitching on.  Just as in machine embroidery, it’s important to stabilize your fabrics so your stitches will look even and not puckered.

TIP #3:  If your stitches don’t cover well, thread your machine with 2 spools of thread.  Many decorative stitches don’t look as close together as we may like them, when using finer 40wt or 50wt threads.  If you thread your machine with 2 spools of thread, it will look heavier and you will cover more of the surface of your fabric.  I used this technique when I created the fringe for my Picture Tutorial:  Creative Fringe, but I used my Singer L-500 for this demo.  Give it a try!!

I hope by watching this video that it will get you excited about trying out the decorative stitches on your machine.  You can achieve an infinite amount of stitch patterns by modifying the stitches in width and length, using the built in edit options, stacking or mirroring and combining different stitch patterns together.  Be fearless and try some decorative threads too and have a good time with it!!   

Thanks again for all the messages and emails of support!!  I appreciate it and LOVE to hear from YOU!! 

UPDATE:  I added a Picture Tutorial:  Decorative Stitching Holiday Project to compliment the information in this video.