Sewing machine decorative stitches have gone from boring to magical in the last decade. Even if you don’t own the fanciest sewing machine, these decorative stitched ideas might just spark that perfect pop of pizazz to your next project.
We have come a long way from sewing little ducks on a baby outfit to today’s choices that include ribbons, sequins, appliqué fabric, and fringe!
When people tell me they don’t want any decorative stitches when purchasing their next machine, they truly have not seen the potential in the art of decorative stitches.
Check out a few highlighted stitches below that can be found on many sewing machines these days. Post in the comments which ones are your favorites at the end of this blog.
Stacking Stitches
Anyone with even 10 built-in stitches on their sewing machine can create Stacking Stitches! Start by selecting two different stitches and stitching them out on top of each other with two different colors. It could be as simple as a straight stitch in a variegated thread over a zig-zag with a contrasting color!
Some machines have menus full of paired-up stacking stitches that are designed to coordinate together.
Floating Stitches
Floating stitches have a very unique look – they look like they are floating on the fabric without any connecting threads. Watch this short video to see how you can duplicate this look on your sewing machine.
https://www.facebook.com/heirloomcreations/videos/299876764272227/
To duplicate floating stitches combine in your sewing machine’s memory a decorative stitch and 4-5 straight stitches. The straight stitches must be in the center needle position for this to work. Fold the fabric’s right sides together, add stabilizer and stitch the decorative stitch combination. Pull the fabric open to see the results.
Ribbon Stitches
Pfaff is known for their ribbon stitches! They now offer single, double, and triple ribbon stitches. Sit back and check this out because this is awesome!
Sequin Stitches
Decorative stitches can be stopped and started and have sequins added to a specific area of the stitch. Add a touch of glam with the sparkle of sequins.
Decorative Stitches with Susan Cleveland
We had the privilege of hosting three lectures with Susan Cleveland at our store last week. It was amazing to see how she took even the simplest of stitches and turned them into works of art.
I also loved how she would add highlights to her pieced blocks with thicker 12-weight thread. I got my “Susan Cleveland” on and choose to use a built-in Triple Straight Straight to highlight the paper pieced sections in this block.
Add Your Own Spin…
Decorative stitches can often be stitched in circles just by adding a circle sewing attachment to the machine. A circle attachment is not a presser foot meaning accessory feet can also be used in conjunction with the art of sewing in circles.
Stitching Cosmos Online Course
Our upcoming Bernina, Pfaff, and Husqvarna Viking Stitching Cosmos online courses are chock full of decorative stitches and new exciting ways to use them. Sign up here on the SewingMastery.com website to be notified when this online course is launched.
Decorative Stitch Challenge
Decorative stitches can be magical. Challenge yourself to add at least one decorative stitched element to every project.
