Decorative stitches
 

How often do you use decorative stitches, and if you use them, how do you use them?

I have recently got ahold of a vintage machine (okay, three of them) and their more limited stitch options made me think about the 12 available on my main machine, and I realized I could probably sew the rest of my life without anything more than straight stitch and zig zag. I mean, I’ve used the stretch stitches on my main machine for garment sewing, but you can use a narrow zig zag for knits, too, and sometimes I prefer that. Of the stitches I have, I use 4 of them: straight stitch, zig-zag, stretch straight stitch and a decorative buttonhole stitch. Today I tried all of them, just to see what they actually look like, and realized it was the first time in 15 years that I’ve used most of them. I made a little crazy quilt style block and sewed with decorative stitches over the seams, but other than that, I’m not sure what to do with them.

I agree. I haven't used the decorative stitches on my Bernina in years, and then only to experiment to see what they were like. I also sew frequently with machines that have only straight stitch. The only time I remember using zig zag recently is to sew batting scraps together.

I'm largely with you -- I don't want a kazillion stitches because I don't use/need many of them in my quilting. For the most part, I just want a strong straight stitch for piecing. I joke that I don't really sew, I just quilt.

One "fancy" stitch that my vintage machines don't have but I use a lot on newer machines is the "serpentine" (multi-stitch zig zag sort of). I find that works very well for grid quilting my typically busy scrappy quilts. It would be a loss to lose that ability.

One use for fancy repeat designs is on bindings, especially on baby quilts.

I did program my fancy machine to personalize my husband's bowling towels when I was trying out modern (as opposed to vintage) life.

Knowing that I did not use the fancy stitches on my older machine, when I bought my new machine a few years ago, I tried to get one without. No way that was possible, because of all the other more modern features that I wanted, that really were just basic things. One being knee lift.

The only fancy type ones I use are zig-zag and buttonhole for edging appliques. Also, the one that I call faux-serger. Gives a good edge to a cut, not finished piece of fabric.

Some use the fancy stitches for quilting. The dealer had a beautiful crazy quilt style quilt, all stitched with the fancies as a stitch sampler. Quite showy, and I am sure many took that idea and made their own. Also, a basic quilt where straight rows of the fancy stitches were used for the quilting. Not for me though!

The decorative stitches I use a lot of are the serpentine stitches of which I have a couple. I have used them for straight line quilting and also for topstitching the binding down. I love that I have a couple of stitches to choose from and that the width and length dials on my Bernina make it easy to customize so I can get the serpentine stitch to look like what I want. Recently on a flannel quilt I actually used one of the three step utility stitches to get the serpentine stitch I like on that thick flannel. I also have used some of the decorative stitches, when making little appliquéd wall hangings. I used an eyelet stitch with gold metal thread to make the eye of a skunk! It turned out cute. I have used the blanket stitch ones in the quilting stitch menu to do blanket stitch around the appliques and again I discovered that the stitch mirror buttons help with that and also the stitch length and width dials to customize the exact size I want. I also have used the triple stitch function while stitching things like stems for flowers. And I made a simple two color table topper using 2 inch finished squares and stitch in the seam line with a variety of decorative stitches in the seam lines using a plain colored baking. This made a cute simple table topper that was reversible as the decorative stitches really showed up on the plain backing. I did use some rayon machine embroidery thread to do this as it jazzed it up some.
oh, I also have used decorative stitches when making handles for bags and also as accents on the bag, I have used one for Tying a qult instead of using yarn. Also to outline labels for a quilt. And to make cards that I have stitched on.

My Juki 2010 has all the features I wanted and no decorative stitches at all. I have an older Bernina and newer low end embroidery Brother for zig zag and other stitches but seldom use them.

I love having all the fancy stitches on my machines, and have used many of them for crazy quilt blocks and others. They seem to make a quilt more vintage looking when I use such as crochet threads etc in the bobbin. Of course you have to work from the backside of the block, and need a bobbin casing without the tension screw. I believe one can also use something like silk ribbon this way, though I haven't tried that yet. But one must practice and it's not for everyone.

Like others, I like to use the deco stitches on binding, quilting, crazy quilts and an occasional special project ...like a place mat or coaster set or potholder...like that.

On my bucket list for next year is making and mailing postcards. That is where I plan to use lots of decorative stitches.

I have a vintage Husky with cams...lots of cams that contain fun deco stitches. Cam A holds the utility stitches and cams B-H are all full of fun things. And they can be combined for even more. I must take advantage of that.

Also, I have used some deco stitches on card stock and watercolor paper with embroidery thread to make greeting cards. Might do more of those.

Mostly it depends what mood I am in I guess. I do use the double buttonhole stitch with rayon thread on most of my fusible machine appliqué, or a satin stitch if it’s going to be washed frequently. I have tried and played with all the stitches by making samples when I first got the machine.
I also enjoy using the Serpentine stitch and adjust the widths/lengths until it works for me. I have used the lettering for labels but actually prefer to handwrite mine with Pigma pen for a more personal feel.
I do like options though 😀

Sewing batting scraps together was exactly what I used mine for last, too.

Your mention of labels gave me an idea. Even though I don’t have any alphabet stitches, I could see doing a decorative stitch around the label to appliqué it onto the quilt.

All of you are coming up with lots of creative ideas I hadn’t thought of! Thanks for the inspiration!

I love decorative stitches! My Bernina 830 only had 18 choices, so I acquired the Bernette this summer for more decorative stitches. I use them on bindings, knowing that it requires patience. I stitch in intervals because it's monotonous. I also use double and triple needles, especially with a serpentine stitch and metallic thread! Pinterest has some quilts worth checking out.

Straight stitches for me. I don't even use the simple zig-zag very often. If I want a serpentine, I create that "look" by moving the fabric free motion style. I will use that method particularly on "busy" fabrics where it blends into the fabric beautifully. All the extra stitches available on my machine are dormant and just are not even considered. Like others, I looked for a machine that had the minimum fancy stitches but found it impossible to find a simple straight stitch machine without going vintage.

I enjoy making post cards and decorative all purpose cards and use many decorative threads when making those. I've used some of the fancier stitches when making QAYG Comfort quilts but to be honest a straight stitch would work as well. Since all those stitches came with the machine, I have found a few ways to make use of them but not often.

I have many decorative stitches on my machine. When I want to use one, I seem to return to some favorites though. I once did a decorative stitch on a narrow border on a quilt. I wasn't sure I liked it at the time, but when I saw it a few years later, I thought it looked fabulous. I've used them on placemats and table toppers as well as on hanging tabs on wall hangings. Also, of course, on clothing and other items for grandchildren.

Sometimes when I'm binding by machine, I'll use one of the simplier decorative stitches to tack it down on the front. If I'm making things like placemats, I might quilt it using decorative stitches to spice it up.

I don't use them often, but I'm glad that they are there when I need them...like dressing up napkins, aprons, tshirts...

There are a few fancy stitches that I use regularly. I need a good overcast stitch, serpentine, blanket-stitch, blind hem and auto button hole. But the rest, I hardly use at all.

moving up from a simple mechanical machine to a Janome memorycraft 9000 in the late 90's I was thrilled iwth the idea of all those stitches, I think it had +200. Based on watching Nancy Zieman make such pretty stitching on her blouses and suit lapels.

For my first project I pressed and starched a sheet top, set up the machine and let'er rip. By the end of the first minute I was bored out of my mind. Never tried a big project again, and only use about 10 or less stitches on any machine since.

As mentioned above, in my research for a new machine (my old one is fried) I tried to get the modern iimprovements without any of the stitch extravaganza. Zero luck. IF I wanted must haves I had to take all the stitches. crazy.

I almost always use a non-straight stitch on my machine sewn bindings. Mostly I use serpentine and three step zigzag. I also use the overcast stitches on the edge of quilts before I bind them if I am away from my serger. However all of those are what my machine calls “practical stitches”, not really decorative. On my non-vintage machine I have used a feather stitch and a few others on baby things, but it is rare.

I used the serpentine on all the seams of a quilt that was pieced by hand by a young child, where the seams were sometimes too narrow and the stitches too long. It was something my SIL's family had saved so long they didn't remember who had made it, maybe from about the 1940's. I think the serpentine looked pretty neat and probably made the quilt more secure. They use it when the young grandchildren visit. One time I used feather stitches on a mug rug made from one inch squares. I sewed diagonally across all the squares, and I liked that look. I've made some small projects with crazy quilt designs. Other than that, I sometimes use the decorative stitches when sewing doll clothes or on pillow cases. I like having the variety, and you might as well find a use for them because all the machines with other good features also have the decorative stitches.

The only thing I use them for is to sew down the accent strip on burrito style pillowcases. I make special ones for holidays, birthdays, special interests, for our grandchildren. i don't always put one in, opting instead to just have the main fabric and cuff, but when I do put one on, I like to stitch the outside edge down so it stays flat.

I have used the alphabet stitch to put a special message on a project - either pillowcases above or in a border or on binding.

My Bernina is over 20 years old, and I'd replace it with another in a heartbeat if they had one that didn't include all of the high end bells and whistles. The shop where I bought it no longer carries any Berninas except the 300 level; they carry Juki's now, for just that reason. They've had many people say that they don't want all of that "stuff", they want a beautiful straight stitch.

I love having the option of using decorative stitches. I don't use them often, but they can sure brighten a project.

Don’t need many decorative stitches so why pay for them. Same story with my appliances, just the basic model that does the job, please. ( getting harder to find ).