IMPORTANT: Make sure your needle is in the highest position before you adjust the stitch width. The Elnita, Pfaff, and Singer all use dials for selecting stitch width. The numbers for stitch width usually range between 0-5.Įlectronic or computerized machines may use – or + to make changes to stitch width.

Many sewing machines have dials you turn to select the width of the stitch. Note: If your machine has an all-in-one dial like the Brother pictured in the Stitch Options section of the post, length/width is already assigned to each stitch. However, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of raising the needle by turning the flywheel toward you so it’s in its highest position before making any changes. The needle doesn’t move when you change the stitch length. When you choose a certain stitch using the stitch selection, look in your instruction manual for the recommended stitch length. Frequently, you will set the stitch length between 2-3 to get a medium stitch. The longest stitch is 4 (or the greatest number) on the stitch length dial.

The Elnita, Pfaff, and Singer all have dials to select stitch length.Ī setting of zero means the needle goes up and down in one place (no length). The feed dogs control the movement of fabric under the presser foot when you step on the foot control. When lowered, the presser foot holds the fabric against the feed dogs (also called feed teeth). When you select a stitch on your sewing machine for either decoration or function, you may need to use a specific presser foot and make changes to the stitch length and width. Other examples of functional stitches are zigzag stitches and blind hem stitches. For example, if you’re sewing on a knit fabric, you can select a specialty stitch that will stretch with the fabric. Many stitches are decorative, but there are several that serve a specific function. The brand and model of your sewing machine will determine the number of different stitches you’ll be able to sew. Your sewing machine may only make a straight stitch or it may have thousands of different stitch options. When a needle moves up and down in the fabric on a sewing machine, the top and bobbin threads come together forming a stitch. The most basic definition of a stitch is a length of thread holding two or more pieces of fabric together.

The goal of this post is to provide a framework so you understand the basics of sewing machine stitches regardless of brand or model. Because there are so many different sewing machines, it’s impossible to share with you specific details about the stitches on your make and model of machine.

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