BUILT-IN STITCHES

STITCH “A” - STRAIGHT STITCH

SEAMING

Use for seaming two or more layers of fabric together.

STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT

A03All-purpose

Align the fabric edge with the seam guide marking on the needle plate and begin sewing [Fig. 1]. Take a few stitches in reverse (backstitch) to secure the seam. Continue stitching forward at a consistent speed, while guiding the fabric along the seam guide marking. Backstitch at the end of the seam [Fig. 2]. Use a shorter stitch length (2-3) when patchwork piecing [Fig. 3] or sewing sheer fabrics. Use a longer stitch (3.5-4) when sewing heavy, thick, or napped fabrics such as denim, polar fleece, or velvet [Fig. 4].

BASTING

Use a basting stitch to sew temporary seams, such as when you need to test fit a garment before sewing the seams permanently.

STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT

A04All-purpose

Align the fabric edge with the seam guide markings and sew at an even speed. Do not backstitch at the beginning or end of the seam. After sewing the permanent seam, pull the basting stitch bobbin thread to remove the basting stitches [Fig. 5].

TOPSTITCHING and EDGESTITCHING

Embellish a garment or special project with topstitching. Use a contrasting thread color for extra dimension.

STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT

A

0

3

Blind hem

To topstitch, place fabric so the needle is 3/8” from the finished edge of the fabric. Adjust the guide to butt up against the fabric edge [Fig. 6]. Lower the foot and sew, guiding the fabric edge along the foot guide [Fig. 7]. To edgestitch, place the fabric so the needle is 1/8” from the finished fabric edge. Adjust the guide, lower the foot, and sew [Fig. 8].

GATHERING

Create beautiful ruffles and flounces with the gathering technique.

STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT

A04All-purpose

Sew a row of basting stitches 1/4” from the fabric edge. Sew a second row of basting stitches 1/2” from the fabric edge [Fig. 9]. Do not backstitch. Gently pull the bobbin thread from the underside of the fabric [Fig. 10]. Adjust gathers evenly by pushing the fabric along the stitching.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

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