Double Needles Can Be Fun

Ever wonder what to do with a double needle?  Below are some great ways to embellish almost anything.  Except a pillow.  Every sewing technique class I attend always suggests that, “...this technique would look great on a pillow”  Revolt against the pillow-embellishers and do something more creative with a double needle.

Things you’ll need:

2mm double needle

4 mm double needle

Applique Foot for your sewing machine - Check the feet that came with your machine, I bet you already have one.  It has an open toe.  You don't need a fancy-schmancy foot like I've pictured.  Any cheap-o brand will do, as long as it fits your machine.

Two spools of matching thread – in a pinch, you can wind a bobbin and use that as your “second spool”.  For a really creative look, use a rayon or polyester embroidery thread.  This will make your designs pop.  That's what is pictured here, but Coats and Clark works, too. 

A piece of 1/4”or 3/8" wide ribbon – any ribbon will do.  This a great place to get creative.  Ribbons with scalloped edges would be totally awesome!

**It is a good idea to interface your fabric before sewing with a double needle.  I prefer a woven interfacing for most projects.  It's these little steps that really make a difference.  

  

So, the first thing you will need to do is insert the 4 mm double needle.  It goes in just like any other needle.  

Threading is simple, not rocket science; only now you are threading two threads instead of one. Follow the normal threading procedure for your machine.   The only difference is this:  just before you thread the needles, the thread on the right will go through the final thread guide, then the needle.  The thread on the left will skip the final guide and just be threaded through the needle.  

Now, sew a straight stitch, attaching the ribbon.  Totally awesome, huh!  Doesn’t the ribbon look professional?  Turn over the fabric and you will see a zigzag stitch.  This is normal. (Sorry about my picture quality; I really need a macro lens!).
 

Now, let’s get fancy.  We’re going to use a few of those “mystery” stitches that most machines have.  Only, we’re going to turn ordinary fabric into something fun and unique.

Remove the 4 mm double needle and  insert the 2mm double needle.  Thread according to the directions above.  When using decorative stitches it is important to not go any higher than a 2mm, otherwise you can break your needle.  Yikes, that can be expensive!

Now have some fun creating stitch recipes.  For this recipe I made two parallel chalk lines about an inch apart in center of my fabric.  So, from the center, going out (both left and right), I used a straight stitch, then a running stitch, then a straight stitch, and lastly, a feather stitch.  

There are so many options it confounds the old gray matter.  Try using different colored threads in each needle.  Experiment with stitch combinations, let your imagination run wild.  The possibilities are endless.

Now, keep checking in with my Etsy store.  I have a new pattern about to be launched.  This pattern can easily be embellished with some of these double needle techniques.