Two useful machine stitching patterns
 

All of my machines are old(er) - there is a piece of paper with my "baby" saying it was sold in 1995.

So - my Berninas have an awesome serpentine stitch.

My Pfaffs (1471-1473-1475) do not.

None of them have a decent "blanket/applique/buttonhole" stitch.

Sigh.

Do you have "favorite/most used" programmed stitches on your machines?

There are a lot of "decorative" patterns that - as far as I'm concerned - they could have not bothered with.

But the two patterns (on the Pfaffs) that I most wish were there - are not!

If you have favorites, what are they?

my fav's are the serpentine stitch and the blanket stitch. i do like lots of the others, though.

I am starting to really like the one step stitches on my Juki F600. Like the last quilt I quilted on it, I did STID at 7 inches, which was ok with my batting but just seemed to far apart. So I put a tiny heart in the middle of each grid. It works like it was tied. I never dreamed I would use those when I got the machine, but I’ve used them several times and am so happy I have them.

If I'd had my brain on my head, I wouldn't have bought my Janome 8900... I only do patchwork now, didn't need any of those embroidery stitches. Sigh. But I used the Serpentine when I quilted my tumbler quilt and it was beautiful, I'll be using it again

Stitch #99 width at 9.0 stitch length at 2.50 with 40 weight thread

My Elna doesn't have a blanket stitch, but I can get the effect by using one of hemming stitches and running the fabric through the machine with the bulk under the arm, so essentially using it backwards. That same machine has a perfect satin stitch.

I have a Bernina Virtuoso 153 and a 155, a 1006 school model and an 803 or maybe an 830? I can’t find the serpentine stitch on the Virtuoso but the dealer says it’s there. I really wish I could find it. I used it on an old machine and liked it instead of sitd. I don’t use the other stitches anymore, but maybe I will on some of the small charity quilts I’ve lately made. I used to use a stitch that had a heart in it.

I have used the serpentine stitch and really like it. At a local seminar, the presenter touted what she calls the grass stitch on the Pfaff. It's similar to a satin stitch but has irregular widths in the zig-zags. Looks like a nice one I'm going to have to try out. I've used quite a few of my decorative stitches on things like baby quilts and bibs, etc.

i have the same machine and like this idea

I've used quite a few decorative stitches on borders and pot holders.
Serpentine comes in handy also. Don't really have a favourite because
I try to use a different stitch as much as possible and I still have 350
more stitches to explore. :)

Since you have those Pfaffs - program your own. I cut one stitch apart and put both halves together for a serpentine, and you can also program in a blanket stitch.

I programmed in a serpentine on the 2144.

It should be stitch #4, you just have to increase the length and the width of the stitch. Just google it, specific to your machine. It really makes it easier if you just use your regular stitch and make your own serpentine, it goes a lot faster than using the actual stitch!

I rarely use my decorative stitches, now that I think about it. Maybe I should brush up on them :)

I have a vintage Montgomery Wards machine that has a wide serpentine stitch, but I haven't used it much.

I don't use four of my machines. I only use two straight stitch only machines. The four has all kinds of stitches, don't want to mess with them.

How did you do that?

I love my serpentine stitch. also the heirloom or buttonhole. a lot of the other stitches have uses, not just decorative.
I love my zig zag because I love doing applique and where would I be without them.

My "baby" is my Bernina Artista 180, then my Viking 830 for its larger harp, then my most resent purchase my Janome HD3000. Lastly my Bailey 20" which I need to practice on. I was looking at the newer machines (gasp....$12,000 +) and I noticed some of the stitches they 'offer'. They have a lot of the same ones of which I have n e v e r cared about!!! My own personal take on these new machines is I think sewing machine manufacturers ought to for the price they are asking for their 500 plus built in stitches is to offer sewers to 'pick' the stitches they would prefer. Me...I would love to have a machine that I can have at least 30 different font types and have the ability NOT to have the balloons or teddy bear or boat built in (etc.) type stitches. For what they charge I don't see how this could not be possible.

My thoughts exactly. Even tho I did just purchase a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2

I have a Pfaff 5.0 and it has the serpentine and blanket stitch patterns. But I cannot do a satin stitch with it. The computer will not allow me to reduce the stitch length on the zigzag enough. I find that very annoying.

In the 1475 - look for a centered half scallop with a heart attached. Using either B00L00 or the embroidery entry module, cut off the heart, save stitch. Then back to back with stitch in reverse. You can lengthen and shorten the scallop. If the scallop starts in the middle, it's usable.

I'll look and see what I have in the 1471 Treadleart mags, and the 1475 user manual. The big one that showed programming and stitches.

As for the blanket stitch. Look at how your Bernina stitches. Using the same method as above, enter the blanket stitch with the same number of components.

I got hooked on B00L00 and had most of Elna's heirloom stitches in the 1471

Question- can a serpentine stitch be used in quilting something? As you can see I don't use my decorative stitches much!

Yes it can SusieQ. I make mine as wide as possible and lengthen the pattern as well. I then use it instead of a straight stitched line. I have done crosshatched type designs on place mats and small quilts and it worked very well.

This has been quite an informational thread...I honestly forget to use the decorative stitches for quilting small projects. I purchased my first Bernina this spring but with summer responsibilities and operating two businesses, I have not yet had time to play with it...have only pieced on it. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Thanks, GingerK!!

I have the Janome 6500P...with more stitches than you can shake a stick at....plus alphabet fonts. I'll never ever use 99% of these stitches and wish I had bought a simpler machine. I bought it for the 9 inch throat space. maybe I'll trade it in in a different one!

One stitch on my Bernina 880 that I use often when top stitching binding, is the herringbone stitch. I use it on utility or everyday quilts that can withstand lots of washings. It holds up nicely and looks good.

My 2nd quilt was Storm at Sea and I didn't know how to quilt the 2 borders, so I put 2 needles and 2 different top threads in my Singer 401a and used a surpentine stitch. It was the first time I tried 2 needles and it worked great. I always forget about all of the stitches on that machine. I think now that I am quilting I will be putting it through its paces more often.

Stitch #4 has sharp turns at each side, not the rounded turns as in the serpentine stitch. I have it on my Bernina and use it often, mostly for patching and darning.

Many of us will never use all the features on our sewing machines. But since we're talking about decorative stitches, Nancy Zieman did a show on Doodle Stitching. Looks like lots of fun and easy to do. She uses various stitched to make art. If you are interested in seeing how she uses some of the stitches, here's the link to the YouTube video of her show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUUa1C2UEB4

Both of my Vikings have beautiful buttonhole stitches and a variety. They also have the serpentine stitch.

I think I keep my old Bernina 830 just because of that wonderful serpentine stitch! (And of course to have a spare machine, and she is my old dependable- my forever friend) My current workhorse is my Janome 6600 and I love her too. Haven't got a favorite decorative stitch on her, but I love her variety and use several regularly.