Bells and Whistles --- sewing machines

[LadyRags]

It seems we ( me included) are either buying or own sewing machines that have a lot of bells and whistles on them. As I was playing with my machine setting and all those lovely stitches I thought to myself it is a shame we do not use more of the decorative stitches in quilting.

Do you ever quilt/ sew with the decorative stitches and if so how are you using them. What kind of blocks/ quilts? Where do you think the stitches fit in with your quilting themes?

If you do not use the fancy stitches why did you buy the machine with the decorative stitches? What do you sew besides quilts?


Just curious about what and how other quilters think...

[Georgiapeach]

Ages ago grammy65 posted pics and a suggestion for something I thought was really cool. She sewed the binding on the back of her quilt, then brought the binding to the front and sewed it down with decorative stitches. It really looked nice. I think it was a baby quilt, if I remember correctly.

I used to sew clothing before I started quilting, but since I've been quilting I don't use my decorative stitches much. When I began receiving everyone's appliqued heart blocks for Sue's quilt, though, I got a lot of good ideas, many used decorative stitches besides the usual applique stitches and it really really looks nice!

Another fun thing is to use a decorative stitch when sewing the "X" across a block for a rag quilt. Or when you make one of those "Fun-n-Done" quilts that you quilt as you sew, use a decorative stitch. I'm anxious to see how others use decorative stitches in quilting!

[ctherrie]

The only decorative stitch I use on my machine is the blanket stitch when I machine applique. I do use my machine for home decor projects such as drapes etc. So I use the blind hem, and a few of my decorative stitches on borders of napkins or placemats. My machine is geared to quilting so I don't have a ton of decorative stitches. I know today, embroidery and quilting are coming together, but I am going the opposite direction and getting into hand quilting. I would like to make a project using a crazy quilt pattern, just because I think it might be fun. I prefer my quilts to have the softness of a hand quilted quilt, sometimes when too much machine stitching is done they turn into cardboard. I do think art quilts are gorgeous and there is a lot of talent involved in that, but it is just not my love. I say think outside the box and go for it!

[SharonG/FL]

I use decorative stitches when sewing crazy quilt blocks. http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CrazyQui ... Block.html

I also use them on labels and pillowcases....I use the heart one a lot on labels.

[Marilynsgrammy]

ugh, I don't really use many deco stitches and I surely don't take advantage of all the ones on my machine....I use a couple for applique... I have used the Grammy65 method of sewing a binding.. .but it's usually straight stitch... I bought this machine because it was last years floor model in a shop in the boonies where it couldn't have gotten much use and they threw in the tote bag with wheels, a zillion bobbins, and more feet than I have a clue about... and it also came with a class... and my Kenmore wasn't thrilling me anymore.

Chriss

[mic-pa]

when I make tablerunners or wallhanging I use some of my decorative stitches. However I admit to not using my machine to its full capacity. It is also an embroidery machine and I do use that part a lot. I embroider designs on quilts, sweatshirts, scarves, purses that I make etc. My machine has all the bells and whistles because my husband insisted I get the best. He always does which makes me a very lucky person. Marge

[sewbug]

I bought a computerized machine for the decorative stitching before I caught the quilting bug. I use the pretty stitches when I'm doing fabric projects but haven't used any on quilts. I can't get an accurate 1/4 seam, the needle plate has too wide a needle hole for that. The machine was not made for quilting but it's great for sewing.

[TooMuchFabric]

One of the ladies in our quilt guild uses the decorative stitches with varigated or metallic thread and quilts her quilts. They are beautiful. I might add...she is very, very good.

[geriwood]

I bought the Bernina 630E and love the decorative stitches it has. I use a lot of them on Baby Quilts or pillows. Geri

[GrandmaTaz]

Lady Rags. I have used my decorative stitches on some bindings. I used the wider binding that you bring to the front of the quilt. The techniaue that Betty Cotton used in her Cotton Theroy. Works really nice.

My pictures don't show the stitches very well. So I didn't post them. But it's fun to do. I am handing stitching the binding on an antique quilt I finished for a friend and my fingers are very tired. So it's nice to use the machine every once in a while.

Jeanne