Decorative Stitch Tips

Welcome to our 125 years celebration of the BERNINA company! We’re celebrating by bringing you lots of inspiration and focusing on the technique of decorative stitches this month, and giving you the chance to win a fun prize package! Scroll down to the bottom of the post to find the giveaway.

Decorative stitch tips

The decorative stitches included in your sewing machine can be grouped into two main categories: open stitches and dense or satin stitches. Both open and dense styles of decorative stitches can add decoration to any project you are stitching, but each type of stitch has different needs to create the perfect looking finished stitch. Follow these tips and tricks to make the most out of your open style and dense style sewing machine decorative stitches.

Decorative stitch tips

Open Decorative Stitches

Stitches that are categorized as open are made of single stitches repeating to make a design or letters. Open decorative stitch patterns often work by moving back-and-forth under the needle to create the finished stitch pattern.

Decorative stitch tips

Decorative stitch tips

The Reverse pattern foot #1/#1C/#1D is specially designed to help the sewing machine form perfect open stitches. Creating perfectly sewn open decorative stitches is this foot’s special superpower! The Reverse pattern foot is engineered with a special indentation under the foot both in front of and behind the needle, to allow the stitching of thread patterns that move forward and backward. The foot is marked with a clearly indented center line to help you align stitches as you sew. While this is the perfect foot for sewing open decorative stitches, it’s not ideal for the thicker build-up of threads created with dense or satin style decorative stitches.

BERNINA presser foot #20C

The Open embroidery foot #20/#20C/#20D is perfect for sewing decorative stitches when you really need to see exactly where your stitches are going, such as on a border or around an appliqué shape. The wide open area in front of the needle gives you maximum visibility while the smooth indentation under the foot allows the stitches room to form properly.

Other favorite feet to use when creating open decorative stitches include the Reverse pattern foot with clear sole #34/#34C/#34D, Clear embroidery foot #39/#39C and the Non-stick zigzag foot #52/#52C/#52D for sewing oilcloth or tacky fabrics.

Open Decorative Stitch Tips

  • Remember to prepare your project for decorative stitching by using the right kind of stabilizer for your project. The stabilizer will help to support the stitches and keep the fabric from pulling together with the stitches to form tucks or tunneling.
  • Your sewing machine needle greatly affects your stitches, make sure to use a new needle type and size for the fabric you are sewing.
  • Since open stitches do not create a dense or thick bunch of thread on your project, you can use the same thread in the bobbin as you are using in the top thread.
  • Always run a test stitch first. Use a scrap of fabric from your project with stabilizer to make sure your thread tension is set correctly. Adjust the thread tension if necessary.
  • Changing the stitch length or width will affect what the final decorative stitch looks like. If you decide to make any changes, write down your sewing machine settings in case you need to duplicate the stitch at a later time.
  • If you stitch doesn’t look quite like it should, some sewing machine models have the ability to adjust the fine balance of your decorative stitches. Check your sewing machine manual to learn how to balance decorative stitches if your machine offers this feature, or ask for help from your local BERNINA store.

Lettering Stitch Tips

One of the most popular type of built-in decorative stitches are the lettering stitches. Not all models have lettering stitches available, but this feature is a fun way to personalize your sewing projects. Read up in your sewing machine manual to find directions for adding individual letters to your memory in order to stitch out complete words, names, or phrases. You can follow all of the same tips above to make the most of your lettering stitches. Use lettering to stitch a name on grosgrain ribbon to create simple name tape, great for tagging your sewing supplies at class or retreat, or for sewing names into clothing.

Quilt binding with words tutorial

Use lettering stitches in the binding of your quilt to add your name, a date, or a personal message.

Decorative stitch tips

Dense Decorative Stitches

Stitches that are categorized as dense or satin style decorative stitches are made of stitches formed very close together with a narrow zigzag stitch. Dense or satin style decorative stitches form behind the needle as the machine sews to create the finished stitch pattern.

Decorative stitch tips

The Embroidery foot #6 has a wide indentation on the sole to allow the dense stitches to form when coming off the needle. The indentation is wider at the back of the foot to allow for turning smoothly around corners and curves. There is a small metal bridge in front of the needle which provides extra stabilization for fabrics to help prevent tunneling or puckering while sewing. This is the perfect foot to help you create the best dense decorative stitches up to 5mm wide.

Decorative stitch tips

The Open embroidery foot #20/#20C/#20D is perfect for sewing dense decorative and satin stitches up to 9mm in width. It is very similar to Embroidery foot #6 with a wide, smooth indentation behind the needle, but the area in front of the needle is completely open to offer maximum visibility. This foot is a favorite for sewing dense or satin stitches on the edges of appliqué shapes, or any project that demands precise placement of your decorative stitches.

Other feet that work well with dense decorative stitches are the Clear appliqué foot #23 and Embroidery foot with clear sole #39/#39C.

Dense Decorative Stitch Tips

  • Remember to prepare your project for decorative stitching by using the right kind of stabilizer for your project. The stabilizer will help to support the tight, dense stitches and keep the fabric from puckering or tunneling with the stitch.
  • Your sewing machine needle greatly affects your stitches, make sure to use a new needle type and size for the fabric you are sewing.
  • Dense and satin stitches create a lot of bulk with thread. To help avoid a build-up of thick thread, use a lighter weight thread in the bobbin and decrease the top tension so that the upper thread will show along the edges of the stitch on the wrong side of the fabric.
  • Always run a test stitch first. Use a scrap of fabric from your project with stabilizer to make sure your thread tension is set correctly. Adjust the thread tension if necessary.
  • Changing the stitch length or width will affect what the final decorative stitch looks like. Write down your sewing machine settings if you make any changes, even little ones, in case you need to repeat the stitch at a later time.

Fun With Decorative Stitches

Here are some fun things you can do with decorative stitches!

BERNINA stitch recipe

Pair several decorative stitches together to create a new look! Learn how to make your own Stitch Recipe in this post at WeAllSew.

Golden reverse pattern foot #1D

Add a fun embellishment to a pair of jeans or any existing garment with this tip! Learn about Adding Decorative Stitches to Jeans in this post.

How to make a stitch sample book

Want to see what all of those decorative stitches look like when sewn out? Learn how to Make a Stitch Sampler Book as a quick and handy guide!

Your Chance to Win!

One lucky WeAllSew reader will win this decorative stitch prize package including a set of 6 assorted bright Isacord embroidery thread, one thread storage box, and one Tula Pink Hardware thread snips!

Decorative thread prize package

All you have to do is post a comment below and answer the question, “What is your favorite way to use decorative machine stitches?” The the giveaway is open through Friday, May 18, 2018!

The giveaway is open to residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. One comment per fan. Comment must be submitted to the WeAllSew.com blog by Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11:59 PM Central Time. Winner will be chosen randomly. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to contact to claim the prize.

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