Double needle Sewing machine Definition

First of all, a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch are very common stitches on sewing machines. If you have a very basic machine (or sometimes an older ones), you may not have a zig-zag stitch. Or you may have a fancier machine with tons of other options and stitches. Those are exciting too.

But these two stitches are controlled by the stitch width and stitch length. You should have some sort of knobs or buttons on your sewing machine to control these 2 functions.

If you are using the straight stitch and adjust the stitch length, you will produce different looking stitches. The largest stitch length (shown on the left) is also called a basting stitch and can help you with temporarily holding fabrics in place or to use to gather fabric (gathering tutorial here). If you adjust the stitch width of the zig-zag stitch, you’ll get wider zig-zags…….and if you increase the length, you will increase the distance between each zig-zag.

Play around with some scrap fabric and adjust your settings. See what you can come up with.

Now, have you ever needed to sew two stitches right next to each other……and hate how your stitches aren’t perfectly straight?? ? Well, if you look down at your clothing, you may see 2 stitches right next to each other. (Yes, the stitches below are done with a serger……but you can mimic the look with a double needle.)

Or maybe you are quilting, making a bag, or sewing some hot pads…..and would like 2 straight stitches next to each other. Well here’s how to do it. Easy, easy.
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Now, let me explain something. I have had a double needle for a couple of years and rarely pull it out. You need (or so I thought) 2 mini spools of thread to fit on the top of your sewing machine, to thread into the 2 needles…..and I rarely have 2 of the same color……..especially in the color I need. And I always grumble while sewing 2 seams next to each other, wishing I was using my double needle. The other day, someone commented about using a double needle for something and I laughed it off, knowing I didn’t have enough spools in the correct color. And then I realized I could just load up a bobbin and use it as a spool of thread. Oh, that seemed obvious? Oops, it took me a while. Dang.

So after 2 years of loving my double needle but rarely being prepared……..my double needle and I are now great friends. I love those 2 straight lines.