UTILITY STITCHES
Smocking
The decorative stitch created by stitching or embroidering over gathers is called “smocking”. It is used to decorate the front of blouses or cuffs.
The smocking stitch adds texture and elasticity to fabric.
aAttach zigzag foot “J”.
bSelect the straight stitch, and then adjust the stitch length to 4.0 mm (3/16 inch) and loosen the thread tension.
•For details, refer to “Selecting stitching” (page 27) and “Thread tension” (page 29).
cSew parallel stitching at intervals of 1 cm (3/8 inch).
1
a1 cm (3/8 inch)
•Do not sew reverse/reinforcement stitches or cut the thread.
dPull the bobbin threads to create gathers.
Smooth the gathers by ironing them.
eSelect stitch 
or 
.
fStitch between the straight stitches.
gPull out the threads for the straight stitches.
Shell tuck stitching
The gathers that look like shells are called “shell tucks”. They are used to decorate trims, the front of blouses or cuffs made of thin fabrics.
aFold the fabric along the bias.
bAttach zigzag foot “J”.
cSelecttension.stitch 
, and then increase the thread
•For details, refer to “Selecting stitching” (page 27).
dSew while making sure that the needle drops slightly off the edge of the fabric.
1
aNeedle drop point
50
