Quilting with Decorative Stitches Using the BERNINA Three-Sole Walking Foot with Seam Guide #50

Although the holidays are over, I’m excited to share how I quilted a Christmas stocking using the BERNINA Three-Sole Walking Foot with Seam Guide #50, Aurifil 28wt thread, and SCHMETZ Topstitch needles. This technique is perfect for adding texture and beautiful decorative stitches while keeping your layers perfectly aligned.

Why Use the BERNINA Three-Sole Walking Foot with Seam Guide #50

The BERNINA Three-Sole Walking Foot with Seam Guide #50 is designed for stitching through multiple layers evenly. Its dual-feed action prevents shifting, stretching, and puckering—especially helpful when quilting with thicker threads or decorative stitches. It also includes three interchangeable soles and a seam guide attachment, making it versatile for straight-line quilting and decorative work.

Materials Used

• BERNINA Three-Sole Walking Foot with Seam Guide #50

• Aurifil 28wt (top thread)

• Aurifil 50wt (bobbin)
• Schmetz Topstitch needle 100/16 (or 90/14 depending on fabric)

• Hobbs batting
• Fabric sandwich: front fabric + batting + backing
• Fabric pencil for marking
• BERNINA machine with 9 mm stitch plate

1. Mark Your Quilting Design

Start by preparing your fabric sandwich.

• Mark 60° diagonal lines using a fabric pencil.

• These lines create diamond shapes, which will be your guide for spacing your decorative stitches.

• One of the demo photos shows this marked layout.

2. Set Up Your BERNINA Machine

Before quilting, take a few minutes to set up for success:

Choose the Right Needle

• Insert a Topstitch 100/16 needle when using 28wt thread
• For lighter fabrics, a 90/14 may also work

Install the 9 mm Stitch Plate

Decorative stitches require full needle swing, so switch to your 9 mm plate.

Thread Choices

• Top thread: Aurifil 28wt for bold, defined stitches
• Bobbin: Aurifil 50wt to keep the underside smooth

Adjust Tension

• Reduce upper tension to around 3

• Every machine is different—test and adjust as needed

3. Attach the BERNINA Three-Sole Walking Foot with Seam Guide #50

• Attach the Three-Sole Walking Foot #50
• Insert the seam guide into the foot

• Set the bar width according to your diamond spacing (for my sample: 3″ apart)

The guide bar helps you maintain perfectly parallel stitch lines and even spacing.

4. Test Everything First

Before stitching on your project:

• Create a small scrap fabric sandwich
• Test your thread tension
• Test the decorative stitches you want to use
• Confirm the needle size handles the 28wt thread cleanly

For my sample stocking, I used:

• Stitch #308
• Length: 6.8
• Width: 5.5

One of the photos shows the thread options and needles used for this step.

5. Quilt Using Decorative Stitches

Use your marked lines and the #50 seam guide bar to follow the diamond pattern. The walking foot ensures smooth, even feeding while your machine creates bold, beautiful decorative stitches.

6. Finished Stocking

Once your quilting is complete, you can cut and assemble your stocking. The final image shows the completed stocking with the layered decorative stitches—full of texture and holiday charm.

Final Tips

• Slower speed gives better decorative stitch quality.
• Heavier threads like 28wt look best with simple, open decorative stitches.
• If stitches look distorted, try increasing presser foot pressure slightly or lowering speed.