I'm sure that would be fine.

The pattern is in this book that I bought from my Crafters Choice book club. And this picture is not much help. In Amazon's book preview they don't show the page that has the large picture of the bag. You have to scroll down the whole way to the bottom...it's on the last page. IF I find anything else, I will post it here.

http://www.amazon.com/MLiss-Rae-Hawl.../dp/1571207848

I use a stretch stitch in the center of the purse handles and regular stitching along both edges. It has some give to the threads don't break if the bag is heavy. The serpentine stitch may behave in the same way.

piney

I've searched but can not come up with anything else.

Thanks for all of your ideas. I'll forget the zigzags then...and my decorative stitches are limited...nothing that would work. So I'll go with straight stitching and either do 5 rows or maybe try pinecone's advice and do a center stretch stitch and 2 rows on either side.