double needle sewing
 

I am making a hexagon table runner for a Christmas gift for a guild member (we all provide a fq, and then our secret santa makes something out of it). It looks much like this:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/6006532...-runner-summer


Anywho....My friend has a needle that sews two lines at the same time! :shock:. I had no idea something like that would be possible.

Do you think I'm better off sewing this like they did, in a more traditional manner, or should I center the points between two lines in every direction?

Has anyone used a double needle before? Is it hard?
Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,

I've used a double needle for t-shirts and it's not very hard, although you may have to play with your tension, it works great for knits.

However, I haven't used it in a quilt. The thing is, the underside of the stitching looks like a zigzag stitch and isn't very pretty (at least mine haven't been) Also, because there's just one bobbin thread if it gets snagged or clipped, most of the stitching can come right out. Ask how I know that!

Please, please, please make sure your machine can sew with a double needle, and that you use the correct foot and settings (check your manual). I have a friend (sweet but kind of ditzy) who seriously messed up her machine with a double needle.

You are right Peckish...I didn't think of mentioning that!

If you look at my thread under pictures called Big Flower Panel, I used a double needle in some of the flower petals. It's great for doing grids! I also use it when I do FMQ when I want to echo the outline.

You can get them in different widths too!

Different widths ... plus there is a triple needle possibility too.

There is no difference in sewing with it, other than using two spools of thread and
threading down through to the needles. Threads can even be different colours.
(as already mentioned providing that you can use it in your machine)

The big question ... whether you will like how the underside looks?
That's totally personal.
Some like it.
Some detest it.

Yes, I used a double needle with no problem a few years ago. I don't remember where I put, but it was a very nice thing because the two lines of stitching was perfectly even.

I have used a double needle when doing a table runner with black leading.... it is good for one direction patterns like a grid.... but you might like to practice other designs with it before actually using in a project.

Definitely check your manual to make sure you can use a twin needle but really all you need is a zigzag foot on your machine. It's not that difficult but I would check my manual and BTW there are you tube videos you could check out to see the process.