klswift

I often use decorative stitches. When doing a simple smallish quilt, I will often use a wavy leaf stitch down the center of the sashing (whenever I do not feel the need for my walking foot). And, while I admire all those who hand stitch their binding, I machine sew it. And, depending on the design, I might use a simple decorative stitch to sew down the front of the binding. Not only does it add a bit of something, but it also covers any possible slips on the back off the edge of the binding. (I can hear all the purists gasping...LOL) I make a lot of children's quilts and I do not expect them to be kept as heirlooms. I want them to be dragged around, taken outside and truly used. So I make them as sturdy as I can and this is why I machine stitch binding. The use of decorative stitches is just for fun and started when my girls wanted fast and simple cotton skirts for every holiday to wear to school/work. Often I would get the request in the evening for the next day (typical kids!). A yard gathered, add a waistband, a zipper and hem it. All on the machine. I started using a decorative stitch on the front of waistband and the hem and could make the skirt in an hour. Everyone was happy so I started thinking about why not do the same thing for bindings ..hmm ....worked great!

sash

I love the decorative stitches on my machine and I use the serpentine stitch a lot on quilting tops. One of my favorite quilts is the crazy quilt and I used a lot of different stitch designs on the quilting.

anonymous

Fun to use on kid's projects. Self binding baby blankets.

QuiltnNan

Those elephants are just darling. Do you have that elephant edge sewing design in your machine? what machine is it?

leaha

if you ever do a Betty Cotton quilt you can use several of your fancy stitches

anonymous

I do. Actually quite a few different animals. I was using my bernina and I think the 770. Heirloom sewing is another type of sewing where the extra stitches are nice to have. The hemstitch or pinstitch is used for some of that. If any of you have the circle attachment it is a good way to use decorative stitches without having an embroidery machine. I made pretty candle mats as Christmas gifts for a ladies guild luncheon at church. You mostly have to let your creative juices flow.

hobbykat1955

I use them all the time on diff Applique quilt blocks instead of using the same old Blanket Stitch or border stitches...I also use them on my crazy quilts. pocket books, tote bags...I love all the diff creative things you can come up with and using them...

maviskw

Most of my charity quilts and a lot of utility and baby quilts have the binding sewn onto the back, then brought to the front and stitched down with a decorative stitch. That is actually recommended for Linus quilts. So quick and easy.

littledentist

Those elephants are delicious! I keep hearing about this mysterious serpentine stitch.

DJ

I use mine in many of the ways mentioned here. I do however, find that I generally use the same two or three and occasionally a couple of others for kids things. I definitely do not use all 200+ (or whatever) stitches available.

I find they add a special touch with the added benefit that if it's not absolutely perfectly straight, it not noticeable.