Have you ever used two threads with a single needle?
 

I was talking to a Babylock dealer this weekend and he was telling me that I could use two threads at the same time in a single needle on a reg. sewing machine. Of course it would be with a larger eye. Never knew you could do that. Has anyone tried this? How did it work?

Yes, you can. It can come out looking like sashiko emboridery if you do it right.

Does the thread tend to shred?

And what size needle works best? thanks?

I do it all the time to redo the top stitching when I'm replacing jean zips, or altering jeans. It's not always easy to get a good colour match in top stitching thread so I used 2 threads and it works fine...and there are more colours to choose from

Yes I have used two threads in one needle. Once to get a thicker thread look, and the other with two different colors...when I do, each spool goes on it's own spool holder, one thread through each side of the tension disc(at least on my Bernina), and then from there thread as if one thread.

I have used 2 threads for machine embroidery but never for straight stitching.

I have always wanted to try this, is there a certain way the thread should come off each spool?
PATCHSAMKIM: could you explanation n what you mean about going through the tension disc? My brain isn't working so well today. :)

I've tried but can't figure out how to thread the machine with two threads, even with reading the directions!

I've used two threads in one needle. Have done it successfully two different ways. The first and easiest way was I just took the two threads and treated them as one. Worked fine. I also did it placing one thread on one side of the upper tension disc and one thread on the other side of the upper tension disc. That also worked fine. I couldn't see any difference between the two, so now I just treat the two threads as one. I did not have any shedding. What I used it for was for doing black buttonhole stitching on appliques, so I was going pretty slowly.

I had never heard of this one before! I am going to have to try it!!!! Thank you!!!!

Interesting! What size needle?

Whatever size fits the two threads together. I normally keep a size 80/12 in my machine. I don't think I up-sized that when I used two strands of regular thread (50wt 3-ply), but maybe I went up one size. It's been awhile. You would probably want a larger size and a topstitching needle if you are sewing fast. As I mentioned, I was going slowly to do machine applique,

I do it all the time. Especially with the invisible thread when I want a strong stitch but don't want to add any color to the quilt or wallhanging tops. I have a 10 spool thread stand that sits directly on my Babylock. I place the two spools side by side and thread both through one thread hole on the stand and I tie them to an existing strand of thread already threaded on the machine. Then I guide the thread through the machine, snip off the knot and single strand of thread, and then hand thread the 2 invisible threads through the needle. When using the invisible thread, I use a 90/14 needle when quilting and binding quilts and a 80/12 microtex sharp needle when making wallhangings using very thin batting. I have a huge amount of Tex 24 poly cone thread (3-6000 yds) that I double up also. My Babylock loves it and I don't need to touch the tension. I have the Babylock Ellegante BLG and the Babylock Jane. I do this for both machines without any problems. I mainly use the Tex 24 threads in the bobbin, and I have used Maxi lock, poly thread from ThreadArt, and poly embroidery thread just fine in the bobbin. I have so much poly thread that I have not invested in any cotton thread.

I've done it lots. You need to use a top stitching needle so it's a bigger eye. I even use 2 threads on my longarm too.

I did it without any difficulty. Just upped the needle size as needed. Did some samples to see what worked best for what I was doing. Results were great.

I have used 2 threads also, especially when I wanted to emphasize a certain area.

You need to place the thread spools on the machine in such a way that one thread will come off the spool clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. That way they don't get tangled.

I just put the 2 spools on different spool holders, then hold the two threads together and give them a little twist to joint them together a bit and then thread the machine as normal, treating the 2 threads as if they are one

I can't wait to try this with two thread colors!
peace

You always learn something new here! :thumbup:

This is interesting...might have to try it. Do all sewing machines have different sides of the tension disc? I have been sewing for years...first time I even thought of this!

I am going to have try this. I wonder how it would work on my Brother since I can see the tension disks etc they are all hidden. Vintage machine maybe?

I have been able to put 2 Aurifil threads through an 80/12 needle and had no problem. I want to try the double eye needle and see what that looks like as well.

I just did some finishing using a feather stitch. I used two threads through the needle and used pearlized thread in the bobbin. Really pretty finish! </SPAN>

I've never heard of this technique. Need to experiment and see what it looks like.

Me too! I'm intrigued!

This sounds fascinating . Needle 80/12 but do. You thread through needle as one or separately?must try on my present quilt.

I'm anxious to try this.....It sounds wonderful and will add a lot of detail. Thanks for this idea.

It doesn't matter if you can't see the tension disks. Just treat the two threads as if they were a single thread.

I've thought of doing this also to get a heavier look when doing decorative stitches or working with heavier fabric. Thanks for all the info!

I have done this when I need to do a top stitch. Works great.

thanks for asking the question. I enjoyed learning how it can be done. Thanks to all for the interesting replies.

Would this work on a vintage machine - say a FW?

I didn't even know you could use more than the center part of the tension disk.

Yes, I do it for free motion embroidery and it looks wonderful.

So glad to know this! I use two different threads in one needle all the time in hand embroidery, and it never even occurred to me that the same might be possible on my machine! Thank you!

*goes off humming to rummage through thread bin*

Alison

Yes. What matters most is probably the needle, and then maybe the upper tension. Basically the sewing machine doesn't know there are two threads; it just knows that it is a thicker thread.

I havve done this many times when doing satin stitch applique. A rayon and a similar color give a beautiful effect on my Elna 2003 or Janome 6600. Try two different colors and watch the effect. Start by making an 18" x 18" sandwich of your present fabrics for project, Practice using the different threads until you find one you love. Mark the piece into 3" x 3" squares and write on the block what threads and colors you've used to create this pattern. I use jeans needles and microtex sharps size 90/14 when doing all this. Let us know how it all turns out. Have fun. Pegeth

Schmetz has double eye needles but according to the info on their site you need to use a stitch other than straight stitch for you to get the effect of the 2 colors. I have them and want to try them with a decrative stitch.