Twin needle is one of the most versatile sewing tools, yet is often overlooked. It's relatively cheap, but brings a lot of value and you can use it on essentially all modern domestic sewing machines. In this post, I'll share7 ways how you can use twin needle - starting from my favourite techniques and ending with creative methods you probably haven't seen before.
This tutorial is created in partnership with Organ Needles - needle industry experts.
Organ Needles are one of the leading brands in needle industry, with over 100 years of expertise in needle making. Organ Needles have a wide range of products and you can find a right needle for any type of project that you have on hand - even for tricky materials like super stretch fabrics. I've been using Organ Needles for several years in all of my machines - industrial sewing machine, domestic sewing machine, embroidery machine and serger. It's easy to recommend them as I use them regularly and their needle quality speaks for itself!
Now let's learn 7 ways how to use Twin needle!
7 ways how to use Twin needle
Technique No.1: elastic hem
My favourite technique is to hem knits, creating elastic seam finish.
To get really professionally looking results, I start first by serging around the hem. Then I fold seam allowance on the inside of the garment and press, so that it sits nicely in place. Then, I baste stitch right through the middle of serger seam - this will work as a guide when sewing with twin needle. Next, we move to the sewing machine where we have installed twin needle. Important part here - if you're hemming knits, you have to use Stretch Twin needle. Compared to Universal needle, Stretch needle has rounded tip, which prevents skipped stitches on knits and this is of course something you want to avoid. With Twin needle, you're sewing from the right side of the garment and navigate fabric, so that the right needle is going along the baste stitch. Once you went around the hem, remove baste stitch and hem is finished.
From the right side of the fabric, Twin needle creates two rows of stitches, and from the inside it creates zigzag that gives seam it's elasticity. Now because we used baste stitch at the middle of serger seam, you can see that the zigzag fully covers the edge of the overlock seam and it's not rolling, giving it a becautiful, professional finish. Great substitute for coverlock machine when sewing tshirts or sweatshirts.
Technique No.2: pintucks
To get pintucks, use pintucking foot, increase thread tension to max and reduce stitch length (I used 1.5mm stitch length in the sample above). Sew a straight stitch and you get pintucks.
Use this technique to create pintucks on blouses, dresses or home decor projects.
Technique No.3: square pintucks
Same as with pintucks, use pintucking foot, twin needle and sew with increased tension and reduced stitch length. First, sew vertical lines and then horizontal ones, crossing vertical lines at 90 degree angle.
Square pintucks create beautiful texture that will work great for decorative projects.
Technique No.4: topstitching
Twin needle is an easy way to do topstithing, especially if you're sewing denim. If you want to get really beautiful top stitches, pair thicker thread and higher size needle, like 100 or higher.
Also remember that Twin needle comes in different widths between needle, so choose which on works best for your design.
Technique No.5: decorative stitches
Use narrow Twin needle, wide-opening presser foot and decorative stitches to create double decorative seams. Important: before sewing this technique, make sure that the needle does not touch the presser foot when moving from side to side!
Technique No.6: attaching elastic binding
Use Twin Stretch needle and pair it with binding foot to attach elastic binding. This technique will work great for baby clothes or swimwear.
Technique No.7: attaching straps
Use wider Twin needle to attach both sides of strap using just one seam!
I hope you enjoyed learning these 7 ways how to use Twin needle. Learn more about Twin needle in this video:
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