Book of Stitches
 

Has anyone made a book of stitches that their machines can sew out? I was at a class this past weekend, and the woman presenting recommended making a Stitch Book. I liked the idea, so I looked online, and found one that uses muslin, tear away, card stock, and you put them in business card sheets and store them in a binder. If you have done this, I wondered which business card sheets would be best - heavy duty. The ones I looked at look flimsy. Any suggestions?

I have two Stitch books for both machines that I own that has decorative stitching, one machine does monogramming, so I added the letters and symbols in with it, too. I used Muslin, a pretty blue thread and then a really stiff interfacing so the stitches wouldn't bunch up. I did the smallest stich length up to the largest stitch length so I could see the differences and I can make my decision quicker. I used grommets on mine, then tied it up with some ribbon and used a couple of mat boards like you get when you get a picture framed to keep the Muslin and the stitches clean, so instead of buying a new binder, I just made the book with what I had on hand, much cheaper to do.

It's worth putting the time into it. Right now, mine are stored in Ziploc bags in another room because I'm just not using them, but I know where they are and can pull them out when I need them.

Bernina machine guide classes used to have you do this. I still have the ones for my Artista. It's a very good tool! I have also stitched out a sample when I changed the settings on a stitch. I then labelled it as to which stitch and what the settings were. It makes it really easy to go back and use a stitch you liked.

I have done this with all of my machines since I got my first Viking with cams in the mid 70s. It takes some time to create originally, but makes it so easy to select decorative stitches when you want to use them.

Yes, I have done this for all my machines except the straight stitch only machine. I stitch out all stitches including utility stitches - starting each stitch at the default length and width stitch a few inches then change both length and width several times stitching a few inches each time. I turned mine into books and keep them next to the machines they go with. It's a great resource to have.

Rob

I remember making a stitch book for my Viking Designer1 so that had to be around 2000. I found it after all these years in one of my drawers but tossed it out as I traded the machine in for an Epic back in 2015. Wished I'd kept it as I'm sure this machine uses some of the same stitches. Haven't made on for this machine yet and probably never will. I used felt when I stitched out the stitches and I put a number of the stitches onto the piece at one time, writing the number of the stitch at the top of each line. Now, I just write down the stitch I like to use for say bindings if I'm going to do all machine stitching on it. I put my notes on a little sticky note and keep it in the drawer next to the machine so I can hopefully find it again.

well! I am officially jealous of all of you who are so much more sensible and efficient than I am. [harumph!]

i have intended to make stitch books for my machines for ... well ... I'm embarrassed to admit how long I've put if off. [gasp!]

never mind ... I'll do as Scarlet did and worry about it tomorrow.

\\Thumbs up to those of you who have done yours. :-)

I have not, but I know people who have and find it useful. It's part of the recommended to do list when you buy a Bernina. If I used decorative stitches, it would be a worthwhile thing to have. Or, maybe I'd use those stitches if I had an example of what they looked like! Hmmm....

I have never done one so can I ask the purpose? I can look at the machine lid and see what stitches it does. Not being mean or anything just curious.

I used it as a “getting acquainted” with my first computerized machine. I was so nervous of pressing the wrong buttons etc. 🤪

several things:

1. seeing what the stitches actually look like stitched out
2. allows you to see what the stitches look like when they are modified using length and width adjustments
3. seeing what the stitches look like when they are stitched our using different kinds of fabric and thread

I find that for me it's easier to decide exactly what stitch I want to use when I see it stitched out rather than looking at the printed diagram. Also, by changing the length and width you sometimes get stitches that look entirely different- so for someone who likes to play with different stitches as design elements, it adds to the number of stitches that are available on the machine.

Rob

My handbooks that came with my machine shows the stitches, and the newer machines lets you see the stitches on screen. I'm sure a lot of people use a variety of stitches, but I find I have my favorites and use them a lot.

Well forevermore. Another thing to spend time on that could be either a handy tool or another thing to store. I've never heard of a stitch book but can see the usefulness of seeing all those stitches in all their varieties. However, I always test out length and width when deciding even on a zigzag stitch before using it at the time of sewing. I can see myself spending a lot of time sewing up samples of stitches I would never use.
But, I do like this idea......

I am other one who has always done up a stitch book of my machines. It is handy when you can see the real deal instead of an image on the machine. But I started this way back when my bernina record only had it printed onto the top of the machine, and you had to move a lever to engage the designs. But, I am also the type of person who reads the guide from front to back when I get a machine.

I did mine on parchment coloured solid cotton such that it all looked like an old fashioned sampler, and hung it on the sewing room wall.

yes
and add to this
I like to combine some deco stitches...a stitch book allows me to remember what I did, and what I liked...or not.
combining stitches means lots more variety available for my poor brain to try to handle.
I keep adding new combos to the book

I also have the Bernina Record with 20 automated stitches. 40 years ago when it was new, I just made a quick guide of the stitches in 3 different widths. Still use it today.
Since I use serpentine stitching a lot, I made another quick guide recently with the different stitch lengths and widths.

I used a photo album for 4x6 pictures. Album fits under my extension table and adds support.

Stitches
 

I use Black Kona Cotton, so the stitches show up better.
Use. Interfacing on the back, the stitch out aboout three inches of each design with the associated number stitched at the top of each pattern.
Great reference tool.

I have made one for every machine, I generally do the stitches twice as well as all combinations of width and length - one on regular fabric (or muslin) and the other on a quilt sandwich. The first one is all the stitches and the second is of stitches that I think I could use a fun quilting stitch. Like others have said, it's a great reference.