double needle quilting
 

I've been told that I can use a double needle for quilting. I believe this. But...when I use a double needle I get a zigzag on the bottom. I don't want that on the back of my quilt. I'm told I need to thread my machine differently and I will have a double row on top and a double row on the bottom but I wasn't told how. Anyone heard of this? Can someone tell me how to do this?

I'd be interested in this also.
The only way I've seen it is with the zigzag from the bobbin. You only have one bobbin thread, so I'm not sure how this will be accomplished.

You can do 2 rows of straight stitching close together to give the double needle look. I have the zig zag look on the back when I use a double needle too.

Since there is only one bobbin I do not see how it give you 2 rows on the bottom.

I do not believe there is a way to use a double needle and not get the ziz zag on the bottom there is only one bobbin thread

This is so interesting! I have never used a double needle in over 50 years of sewing, but I have several -- being ever the optimist that "I might, you know". Something about it always made me feel like I doubted I'd like it and I didn't really understand the purpose of one.

Now that I know the mechanics as you dear ones have stated, I KNOW I won't like it! Into the garage sale they'll go!! Thanks y'all. :thumbup:

Jan in VA

I used to use a double needle when I made my children's clothing -- for looks -- & I don't remember a zig zag on the back, but maybe I never looked on the back! And I never heard of anyone using a double needle for quilting -- & now I know why. Stitching a double row as MaryB suggests is a good solution.

Never occurred to me to check the backs. I've used double & triple needles for bags and home dec, but not yet for quilting. I did see one online video that talked about using 100wt thread with a triple stitch. I guess that would make it so the stitching lines were much more apparent than the zig-zag part but I suppose it would still be visible. I've been meaning to give it a try. May have to give it a try & post the results.

I can't see how you can avoid the zigzag on the back as the bobbin thread has to jump from one needle to the other to produce a stitch. You could do one straight line then shadow a set distance away to give the same impression without the back zigzag.

You'd need 2 separate bobbins or 2 of whatever the chain stitch system in the toy singers that were passed out when you bought a Featherweight. There's no bobbin in those.

Even if you use a cover stitch, you will get a back that looks like a serger stitch. Also zig-zagged.

I never thought of the bobbin thread. Now I know not to try a double needle, thanks.

the only time i've used the double needle was to sew both sides at the same time of a stem, or such, for applique.
i didn't like it that much, so haven't done it again

I can't imagine something different because you only have one bobbin. I tired it once in the early 90s and did not like the zig zag created by the bobbin either.

video of how to thread your machine

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylc=X1MDMjE0MjQ3ODk0OARfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LT kwMARmcjIDc2EtZ3AEZ3ByaWQDBG5fZ3BzAzEwBG9yaWdpbgNh dHQueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMyBHBxc3RyAwRxdWVyeQNob3cgdG 8gdGhyZWFkIGEgZG91YmxlIG5lZWRsZSBvbiBhIHNld2luZyBt YWNoaW5lBHNhYwMxBHNhbwMx?p=how%20to%20thread%20a%2 0double%20needle%20on%20a%20sewing%20machine&fr=yf p-t-900-s&fr2=p%3Afp%2Cm%3Asb&hspart=att&hsimp=yhs-att_001&type=att_pc_homerun_portal

I've used a twin needle to quilt, not caring that the back would have a zig-zag ... but it WILL. Without a double bobbin (does any machine have a double bobbin?) you can't get away from the zig-zag on the reverse.

The craftsy site doesn't have a good picture of the reverse. You can only see a single line of stitching.

This video shows you what the reverse looks like.
http://www.howcast.com/videos/512586...ewing-Machine/

If there are 2 threads on the top and 1 thread on the bottom the bottom thread has to do double work.

I use the double needle for perfect top stitch quilting. I only thread one needle and use the unthreaded one to sew in the seam. This way I get perfect spacing from the seam to the stitch.

Just today I tried a double needle for the first time, to hem a pair of men's casual slacks, and it worked beautifully because the underside won't be seen. I'll try it again in quilting my bowl cozies (microwave bowl holders) because I quilt each side separately before assembling. It could work well in a bag or tote that will have a separate lining. So yes, the underside is ugly, but if that won't show, try it, because the double needle makes a perfectly aligned double line that can rarely be matched by sewing a single line twice. But don't try going around any curves unless you're wanting puckers!

Onebyone, I just read your post about using a double needle for echo stitching with only one needle threaded, and I will definitely try your brilliant idea!

I learned this in my 9th grade Home Ec class. We used it for perfect top stitching.

I think the older home ec classes in high school was the equivalent of several years in professional design sewing schools now.

One of the reasons for using a double needle is to get the zigzag on the back thus allowing for a bit of stretch. This is great for the hem on a T-shirt or other areas that you would like a bit of stretch and don't want to use a serger.
If you use 2 threads on the top and 1 thread on the bottom, there is no way to not have the zigzag - it's how it works. If you want the look of the double stitching on top with 2 straight lines on bottom, you will have to stitch the seam and then echo stitch a second line.

They are wonderful for sewing ribbons to fabric as long as you match them to the width of the ribbon first.

Actually the double needle gives a really nice stitch ON THE TOP, so it can be used for lots of things, just not the quilt in a sandwich. Top stitching around a design, giving a nice finish to a hem, etc. But that pesky zigzag on the bottom does show if the item is reversible. Try it, you might like it!

[QUOTE=dd;7458243]I've been told that I can use a double needle for quilting. I believe this. But...when I use a double needle I get a zigzag on the bottom. I don't want that on the back of my quilt. I'm told I need to thread my machine differently and I will have a double row on top and a double row on the bottom but I wasn't told how. Anyone heard of this? Can someone tell me how to do this?[/QUO

Just wondering?? What would happen if you put 2 threads into the bobbin and loaded BOTH needles?? HMMM imak

Just wondering?? What would happen if you wound 2 threads onto the bobbin, one for each needle??

This has been a very informative thread - thanks!! My machine is double needle but I've never used it before. Thanks to this thread I can see some great applications for it. Probably not quilting - but other super uses!!

You would still get the zig due to only one bobbin.

You can also use a decorative stitch on most machines with a twin needle. Two colors or more (drilling needle does 3)
and one in the bobbin. Just make sure you engage the twin needle button, or keep stitches under 4mm.

Thank you all for your answers. I couldn't figure out how this could be done and I'm so glad you all agree and it's not just me. lol I do use them for ribbons and hemming knits as was mentioned. I used it for a stained glass quilt. That worked really well but it was a wall hanging. I used to make my kids those really wide leg jeans because we couldn't afford to buy them. I used them to top-stitch the side seam, just like real jeans.

Some of the videos show lowering the top tension on one of both threads (if you have a two tension machine) so that you get more of a straight appearing stitch on the back. So then you'll get more of a "line" look on the back.

I have a double needle machine with two tension dials, so I can balance one thread with the bobbin tension and have the other one significantly looser. I also have a hemstitcher with two needles and two bobbins, and will do a double row of stitching if the piercer is removed.

At best, if your bobbin was perfectly wound, you would end up with the same zigzag on the back, but with two threads together instead of one (like using two strands for cross stitch: both threads do the same pattern). More likely you would end up with a giant thread snag. Unfortunately, with only one bobbin mechanism there is no way to separate those two threads to give two lines of stitching.