Have you ever....
 

While looking for something on Nancy's Notions I kept seeing the double machine needles in various sizes. It made me wonder if anyone has ever used these needles while free motion quilting to lay down a double track of stitching. How did your thread work with the upper tension...did you have to loosen it to allow for the passing of two threads? Thinking of trying this...but should probably practice on scrap first. What are your thoughts? If you have done this before can you show a close-up photo of your work? Thank-you!

I've used double needles before for hems but not free motion quilting. I had no problems with the top tension running two threads through.

When doing stained glass quilting with 1/4” black bias tape I use a double needle to sew my strips down. The backside is a zigzag. I’ve not had to make any adjustments other than the normal ones that the thread being used requires. If you don’t mine the zigzag back I don’t see why they wouldn’t work for free motion if you want double lines.i go around curves, shapes when stitching down the bias tape.

My concern would be that there is a slight 'use' of fabric in the little space between the needles. Multiply that by many seams might change the size of the quilt top. I've only used double needles for knit hems and for decorative stitching on a dress.

I used a double needle and left one not threaded to do stitch in the ditch quilting or get precise top stitching.

I use them for sewing all the time. Love the effect (can mimic a coverstitch hem quite well) and the little "bump" in the center is usually on knits or single layers of fabric. I don't have any issues when stitching on multiple layers. However, a friend did her quilt using double needles and she was not expecting the zig zag on the back! She was very disappointed in the look of the back. I don't think she had sewn with them before, so she was surprised. I would lengthen the stitch as much as possible without going to a basting stitch, because two rows are pretty strong and the zig zag on the back would be a bit larger and less tight looking. It can be a pretty effect.

Twin needles are fun to play with.
here are some youtube videos that are interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...eedle+quilting

I love this idea! :)

I didn't know about the zig-zag on the backside of the quilt. Well, scratch that idea!! Thank you ladies, once again you have saved me from spending time with Jack the Ripper.

Interesting idea. Does the empty needle go in the seam or the threaded needle? I know that probably sounds like a dumb question.

There was an episode on Sewing With Nancy or Simply Quilts many years ago. I cannot remember who the guest was, but she used a double needle with free motion quilting. She was quilting a landscape quilt and showing how the double needle filled in the area so fast (and well). Wish I could remember who the guest was and remember (for sure) what show this was. It could probably be searched for in youtube or googled by now. :-)

Not dumb....I was wondering this also.

I put the empty needle in the seam for QITD and on the edge of the area where I do topstitching. I took a class long ago and we did many techniques using the twin needles in different width. We used the bottom stitches as the top stitches to fill in a block around applique. It was fun to experiment with the needles.

The issue with FMQ using twin needles would be the relationship of the needles changes as your fabric moves from side to side.The distance between the thread paths on the fabric will be the width of the needles going front to back or back to front. It will decrease to zero as you go side to side.One thread will cover over the the other. Hence the little area between the needle paths will constantly change as you are FMQing. But then, maybe that is what you want? tim

Interesting. If you try it let us all know how it goes and post a picture. Would love to find out.

Thanks for jolting my memory -- Whn I bought my machine back in 2000 for the amazing (for back then) price of $2000, I bought a twin needle but never used it. I have in mind the art deco table runner and the thin strips would be just right for a twin needle. I will try it when we get back to our winter home in WA