I use the zig zag stitch when sewing clothing as a way to finish the edges. I don’t sew clothing much anymore, instead I mainly quilt. If I appliqué, I usually use a blanket stitch. Occasionally I use a zig zag, especially when the applique piece is small.
I do alot of animal portraiture using the raw edge appliqué technique. After I heat bond all the individual fabric pieces, i use clear monofilament and a zigzag stitch to secure all raw edges. This locks all edges down extra well and also creates some texture since I’m sewing through all 3 layers of the quilt sandwich. Since many pieces have weird shapes, I sometimes zigzag with feed dogs in place and sometimes zigzag using a hopping foot and feed dogs down.
I do appliqué on quilts, but I stitch the pieces only on the top. Can you explain why you appliqué on all three layers? It sounds interesting, but can’t it be seen from the back? Does it give the piece more interesting texture? This sounds intriguing.
two reasons that I stitch through all three layers. 1) more texture. I use a fairly low loft batting (not too "poofy") but even so, when I stitch around individual pieces it does create some dimensionality to them, which I like. 2) having three layers to sew through gives a little more stability to the fabric - without it, sometimes the zigzag stitch I use can tend to bunch the fabric up in a way that I don't like. I can avoid some of this by careful adjustment of the thread tension, but its tricky because I use monofilament in both the top and bottom thread. So, all three layers it is. And it also makes for a very interesting reverse image on the back of the quilt sandwich.
Hi Garbie! I am a new comer and love your content! I use the Zig-zig stitch as overlock since I do not have a serger yet. I also use the Zig-zag for appliqué. I have made a couple amazing banners! I use it for mending and I also use it for fabric appliquéd greeting cards! I have not used it for stretchy materials, but I am going to start. I have altered a few T-shirts and tank tops in the past and had no idea that was an option. Thanks!
Maybe this is a weird question, but when is it actually better to use a straight stitch? I feel like I'm always either working with fabric that is woven or stretchy, and the zig zag seems better in both those situations!
I use the zig zag stitch when sewing clothing as a way to finish the edges. I don’t sew clothing much anymore, instead I mainly quilt. If I appliqué, I usually use a blanket stitch. Occasionally I use a zig zag, especially when the applique piece is small.
I do alot of animal portraiture using the raw edge appliqué technique. After I heat bond all the individual fabric pieces, i use clear monofilament and a zigzag stitch to secure all raw edges. This locks all edges down extra well and also creates some texture since I’m sewing through all 3 layers of the quilt sandwich. Since many pieces have weird shapes, I sometimes zigzag with feed dogs in place and sometimes zigzag using a hopping foot and feed dogs down.
I do appliqué on quilts, but I stitch the pieces only on the top. Can you explain why you appliqué on all three layers? It sounds interesting, but can’t it be seen from the back? Does it give the piece more interesting texture? This sounds intriguing.
two reasons that I stitch through all three layers. 1) more texture. I use a fairly low loft batting (not too "poofy") but even so, when I stitch around individual pieces it does create some dimensionality to them, which I like. 2) having three layers to sew through gives a little more stability to the fabric - without it, sometimes the zigzag stitch I use can tend to bunch the fabric up in a way that I don't like. I can avoid some of this by careful adjustment of the thread tension, but its tricky because I use monofilament in both the top and bottom thread. So, all three layers it is. And it also makes for a very interesting reverse image on the back of the quilt sandwich.
Hi Garbie! I am a new comer and love your content! I use the Zig-zig stitch as overlock since I do not have a serger yet. I also use the Zig-zag for appliqué. I have made a couple amazing banners! I use it for mending and I also use it for fabric appliquéd greeting cards! I have not used it for stretchy materials, but I am going to start. I have altered a few T-shirts and tank tops in the past and had no idea that was an option. Thanks!
Maybe this is a weird question, but when is it actually better to use a straight stitch? I feel like I'm always either working with fabric that is woven or stretchy, and the zig zag seems better in both those situations!