16
BUILT-IN STITCHES
STITCH “A” - STRAIGHT STITCH
SEAMING
Use for seaming two or more layers of fabric together.
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 hea
vy, 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.
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.
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.
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.
STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT
A 0 3 All-purpose
STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT
A 0 4 All-purpose
STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT
A 0 3 Blind hem
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fi
g. 7
Fig. 2
Fig. 6
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
STITCH STITCH WIDTH STITCH LENGTH PRESSER FOOT
A 0 4 All-purpose
Fig. 10