Curious- what do you use fancy stitches for?
 

Hi friends,
In another post a new member asked about what type of machine to buy and it got me thinking about my Bernina that has a lot of fancy stitches. But I rarely use them. I love my machine and it came with them but I didn't see it as a must-have.
What do you use yours for? I'm curious about this.

I love my serpentine stitch for quilting my donation quilts

Hemming pillowcases, along the edge of muslin kitchen towels where threads are pulled to form fringe, to attach ruffle or trim on curtains, on top of fly-front plackets (shirts or jackets) for hidden buttons, on plain quilt squares.

I have used what I call the Chicken foot stitch for added security and connection between quilt as you go blocks. And I have used the zig zag stitch but that's it.

I have used the blanket stitch a couple of times for machine applique. I used one shaped like leaves on the sashing of a small lap quilt, but mostly they do go unused. Straight stitch and satin stitch are just about the only ones I use on a regular basis.

I'm starting to investigate my fancy stitches to add to my bindings. You can also add them to clothing too if you sew apparel stuff.

I don't use them at all. Wish my old Bernina had a blanket stitch for applique, but it doesn't. I used to use the blind hem stitch when hemming pants, but I haven't hemmed any dress pants in a long while.

My 90yo quilting friend uses her decorative sts for topstitching her bindings down on the front.

Applique, bindings, and to add accents for that extra touch.

I do use my decorative stitches, but find I return to the same few. I don't nearly use all of them. I used it on a narrow strip of inner border on a quilt for DD years ago. When I saw it again years later, I was very impressed with myself. LOL I've used a decorative stitch on hanging tabs and on the binding here …
http://i67.tinypic.com/10gebzs.jpg

Interesting that you should ask.....I recently found a book, Crocheted Laces and Edges by Cindy Losekamp, that shows how to use multiple decorative stitches to imitate the look of crochet work. (there is a book for each brand of machine) Previewing the information, the decorative stitches are sewn in rows so each attaches to the previous row and the author provides directions and machine settings for each stitch. I haven't tried it yet but it is coming up soon on my "try it" list.

All the fabric reverse applique circles are finished with fancy stitches.
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I also use them for baby blankets on the binding and in wall hangings.

Watson

Once my brother asked me to repair a tear in his shorts. I did so but with hot pink "ducks" a decorative stitch. I even re-did the hems with this stitch. It's still funny.

and he never asked you for repairs again !!!

same here.

True enough!

Those 'Fold n Stitch Wreath' patterns look really nice when you sew down all the sides using fancy stitches. There's a nice example here, the blue and white one using a contrasting scallop stitch.

I use the overcasting stitches to stabilize the edge of my quilts if I’m going to be doing a rattail binding instead of a traditional binding. I also use a lot of the decora5ive stitiches in art quilts. I love playing with the decorative stitches on my machines.

Rob

baby blankets I do a total machine binding and use them for that. Sometimes same with table toppers. Blanket stitch with applique. Different ones for bags and tots.

A member of our beginner class brought her table topper made last year and had used her serpentine stitch to quilt it in the "ditch" and it was a wonderfully done quilt.

I've used mine for decorative stitched borders on quilt labels, just for fun.

I used to do a lot of garment sewing and used the decorative stitches extensively. I use them from time to time to decorate fabric to use in a quilt-obviously not large pieces. But, sometimes, they give just a special touch. I use the blind hem stitch a lot, the blanket stitch for applique as I prefer it to satin stitch. I wish I took more time to explore them more.

I have granddaughters ages 3 & 5. It's amazing what a ribbon with a decorative stitch down the middle can become - reins for an imaginary horse (tried the cat first, but he finally revolted!) Barbie and self accessories, bookmarks, and of course clothes and quilts.

You can do many things...just think outside the box. Use them instead of a quilt stitch, in rows an inch apart on solid fabric (either a repeat or sampler) (looks good on a table runner or a throw pillow), as an embellishment on blouse cuffs, a crazy quilt effect on scrappy quilts, on the yoke of a little girl’s dress (on white or pastel to make it look like a Strasbourg dress) on christening dresses or bibs, a wedding handkerchief..... just keep thinking

I had completely forgotten about this method. Probably 15-20 years ago I took a class with Cindy Losekamp and we did several of these. I bought the book for my machine and haven't used it since. I will have to try to find it the next time I'm back in Indiana. (I haven't sold my house up there yet and still have some things in different rooms.)

I have made crazy quilt blocks and used the decorative stitches on that. I have also taken classes on Crafty called Stupendous Stitching and have made wall hangings and fabric for purses, zippered pouches, etc...Also use the stitches for quilting on wall hangings.

I would never have thought to use the decorative stitches like that but it really makes the wreath pop.

Applique, crazy quilt ornaments, quilting, bindings, just for fun.

I'll definitely have to look into that mock-crochet stitch thing, sounds very interesting.

I often use that stitch for quilting, period.....as in quilts not destined for donation.

I've done this, too -- once, anyway. I made a family quilt that I gave away at our annual reunion last April, and used a chicken foot stitch -- I don't know what it's really called -- in variegated thread as an outline on the label.

I use my serpentine stitch for quilting and my decorative stitches on clothes and for applique.

I’ve been thinking about using them with pretty threads to create my own designs on fabrics.

I have only used the serpentine stitch. I tried another decorative stitch and broke the needle. I have even have the alphabetic lettering, etc. The dealer that "talked me into this expensive machine" soon quit her shop. Left with no skills to use this machine. I don't need this machine.

Fancy Machine stitches
 

I like to play with fancy stitches when I make mug rugs. I have also used them to jazz up quilt labels. Some members of our guild use them to stitch the binding down from the front of the quilt when making baby quilts.

I use allot of mine to go around applique. I also do art quilting and use them to form objects...flowers, leaves, trees etc..

In the eighties having circular floor length table cloths for 24" diameter occasional tables was on trend. I thought one either end of the sofa would look great so bought some sheeting to get the width to cut the circles and set about sewing with the scallop satin stitch around the edge. My old Elna coped better if I stayed 1/2" in from the edge; so far so good. The mathematicians amongst you will be able to work out how much trimming next to scallops with embroidery scissors was needed. Oh the blisters. . . . I didn't ever do that again!!!

Currently I play with all the stitches when I make zippy pouches. I use batting to give the pouch a bit of structure and a few lines of fancy stitching in a matching thread adds a little something.

I just finished a throw quilt for my granddaughter and used the alphabet stitches to put her name on the binding. She will take this quilt with her to UAB in the fall.

I'm impressed by your answers, everyone.

I'm a 3 boy Mom so I never really had occasion to use them on the little appliques and things I put on their little clothes. But there are so many uses . Thanks!

I use mine in adding beauty to my craft work and clothing I make for my DGD. I use them on quilt tops and table runners and wall hangings. I made a pillow for my DD's mother in law with a picture of her with all her Grand children and used them to make a frame around the picture and the outside edges. She loves that pillow and I think it turned out very pretty.

I use my fancy stitches to do mending. Did I mention that I hate mending? I hemmed a pair of shorts for my Son in law to wear to work, where I also embroidered a label under the hem that said “ I hate mending -mom”. My DD and I giggled for months every time he wore them. Eventually he saw what I had done ( because DD told him), and still laughs about it.
I should tell you the shorts were navy blue, and the embroidery was done in neon green. Lol.
I leave my mark on everything I mend, but they just keep asking......

Madamekelly, you gave me a good laugh!!!