Double Your Fun With Twin Needle Sewing!
It’s National Sewing Month! Did you know that you can double your fun with twin needle sewing? A twin needle can offer you perfectly tailored top stitching, two-toned decorative stitches or delicate pin-tucks. Twin needles come in different widths and sizes and are much easier to use than you think!
As long as you have a needle plate with a zig-zag opening you can use a twin needle. You’ll install the twin needle just as you would an ordinary needle with the flat side to the back or side depending on your make/model machine. Twin needle threading is a snap too! Install your auxiliary spool pin for the second spool of thread and run both threads through the thread guides all the way to the needle. The tiny thread guide above the needle is where the threads will part ways. Thread the left (horizontal) thread through the thread guide and then through the eye of the left needle and bypass the last thread guide with the right (vertical) thread and go straight to the eye of the right needle.
Once you have your needles threaded and your stitch selected, you’ll want to be sure to activate the “Twin Needle” sewing feature which can easily be done by selecting the twin needle icon on your computer’s screen. (lower right button seen here on Singer’s Signature machine) If your machine does not have this feature, you can manually set your stitch width to no more than 4mm in width to ensure that your needle on either end of the decorative stitch side sweep will avoid hitting the needle plate. With fabric in place and the presser foot down, I always turn the hand wheel towards me in a few S-L-O-W rotations to be sure that the needles will clear the opening.
TIP: You can also see the small twin needle icon on the LCD screen indicating that it is activated.
For compatible tiny pleat sewing, the width variances between the needles should coincide with your pin-tucking foot grooves. Pin-tucking feet are available in 3-5-7 or 9 grooves and the space between the needles should fit comfortably inside the grooves when you’re checking for needle/foot compatibility. These specialty needles are also available in both sharps for wovens and ballpoint for stretch knits. Be sure to check your instruction manual for the manufacturers brand and size recommendation.
The twin needles on the right are 6mm wide and would be used for top-stitching only. The red one to the right of it is a 4mm and would be used for the three groove pin-tuck foot (not pictured here) I noticed when writing this blog that the mm width varied between manufacturers. A Klasse or Singer size 2mm were not the same so it’s a good idea to stock up on a variety of sizes to be sure you’ll have the right one for the technique you want to accomplish!
Thanks for stopping by!
See you on-air in September!
SEPT 5—–Sewing with Singer 2am, 2pm IRONING SHOWS at 5am & 10am
SEPT 6—-Sewing with Singer 6am
SEPT 13— Sewing with Singer in a 24-hour craft event! 4am, 9am & 7pm
SEPT 20—Sewing with Singer 6am, 11am, 6pm
SEPT 28—Sewing with Singer 6am, 10am & 11pm
SEPT 29—5am & 12pm
Hi, just trying to find out how to join the live chat
I hate that I always miss the sewing machine sale days by any chance is there a way to know when you having a sewing machine sale? I love the Singer® XL550 Embroidery and Sewing Machine but cannot afford it I saw the day of the sale was 799.95 5 flex payments wow I could afford that but that is my bad luck! But seriously how can I know ahead of time?
Hi Darlene,
First… I must say that I am a “singer sewer” I have 4 machines & 3 are singers (7442, Professional 2010, & Futura Quartet). The last two came from HSN since the value packages can’t be beat! One of the recent times that you were on HSN you stated that there was a top 10 tip list that you could send out. How do I go about getting that? When embroidering, if there is a problem, can you have the futura start over at a place other than at the beginning? Thanksso much.
Patchkid,
Use the right arrow key to the right of the transmission page it will forward you to the next block or the last block. If you want to go back a block or to the beginning then use the left arrow key and it will bring you back to the last block embroidered or to the first block of embroidery.
If you think you have missed or skipped a stitch or want to move forward a stitch then use Forward or Reverse button on the machine. P 39 in the instruction manual.
Cupatea
Hi Darlene, what machine should I buy to do the following things: hem my jeans, make simple pillows and blankets, quilts, embroider, and occasionally make simple clothes? Thanks in advance. I enjoy watching you demonstrate all the machines on HSN :-)
Where do we find the replies to these comments?
I have figured out where the replies are, but I can’t figure out how to post a comment. I would like to know where to buy all the additional feet. I bought the Stylist II/surger in 2010, but would like some of the new presser feet you show now.
Hi Darlene,
I am so excited I just bought the heavy duty singer machine with the quilting table. I saw where you said we could get in touch with you and get your cheat sheets for the different feet included with my machine. Let me no how to obtain those sheets from you. I could watch you demonstrate for hours. I love it. Thanks for your tips.
Hi Darlene, I have a previous version of the heavy duty sewing machine HD110 and would like to know, if I can get the flower foot and the other foot that does the threading, that was shown with the model today. Do you think that those feets are compatible with the model I currently have? Thanks and love the sewing shows….
HI Linny730, Thanks for watching the sewing airings on HSN and for purchasing your HD110 machine! You chose a good one and YES! Both of those feet will work on your model:) If you send me your e-mail address on FB, I’ll send you the “Cheat Sheets” for these feet to increase your options! Happy sewing!
Thank you for your reply. I sent my email address to you via Facebook. Look for to hearing from you.
Hey Darlene!
You just said on air that if someone wanted the daisy cheat sheet to let you know…. I need that cheat sheet Please :) Looking forward to using that foot on a few projects!
Thank you!
HI Debylee, I need your e-mail address to send them to: You can e-mail me at darlene@darlenecahill.com Thanks for asking!
I am a novice sewer and have a question. When is it appropriate to serge vs. using a sewing machine. It just seems that all seams should be serged, but then, I’m not sure about that. I am learning to make clothing, and I think I should run all the pieces through the serger before sewing, but, I’m not sure. Please advise!!!
Ladychow1, Your instincts are correct! When sewing garments, it’s a great idea to serge all of your pieces first to finish off the edges, especially if the fabric frays easily or the garment will be unlined. Then you can construct as usual with your sewing machine and your seam is finished off on each side and pressed open.(it’s beautiful!) For stretch knits and ready made—you can simply serge both seams together, encasing the seam allowance in between the 4 threads. Enjoy your serger!!!
Ho, I’m a crocheter too that’s why the play on the name (-:
Hi Darlene I try to watch all the sewing shows on HSN because I learn so much from your shows. I record them so I can watch them more than once to make sure I understand what you are doing. I would like to get the tips for the Singer Quartet Embroidery Machine and I would like to know what stabilizer you said you use for embroidery so that the material dose not need to be hooped. Thank You for all you do.
ahooker, Thank you for watching the sewing airings on HSN! I’ll need your e-mail to send you the Top 14 Quartet tips. I use STICKY stabilizer. You can tighten both hoop pieces together, then stick a piece over the bottom of the hoop and press around the edges and up the sides to secure in place. Now carefully position your project in the hoop and press gently on a hard surface to ’stick it’ in place. Use this for knits, items too thick to hoop and things not seen on the underside. Have Fun!
HI mamadboss,
You asked a complex question. IF you’re comfortable with your computer and are willing to journey over the leasrning curve, the Singer Quartet will offer the most options. It works with Windows, comes with a bundle of softwrae, performs multi-hooping for xtra large designs 11″ x19″ and will stitch any Font on your computer’s hard drive along with clip art and photographs—ALl viewable and editable on your own computer screen. These are all options not offered by the other brand.
for the end of a bed. Last month I believe it was a recycled pair of jeans for a jeans apron. Plus there are other sewing projects to print out and make on the site. Go check it out and see if it is something you would like.
I made the apron when I joined up but the contest was already over. It came out pretty good. I am not a great sewer but get by.
Hope that helps you out.
CupaTea
Sorry Kendra 4,
This was the contiuation of what I was saying to you about Darlene’s website. Do not know why this jumped to the top of the page sorry.
CupaTea
Mommadboss,
I own the brother se270 embroidery machine,it has the thread cassette!I’ve done at least 70 t-shirts,the small brother does 4×4,I’ve had no problems with mine,it was very user friendly. It doesn’t do big monograms though. I had to buy the ped basic to download from the internet, that was a little complicated, but I figured it out.I can only speak to the brother product, I’ve loved mine,but it is limited to pes designs, and the size. It’s enough for me. It depends what you want to do.
Jazzie Joanie, Thank you for sharing your comments about your Brother embroidery machine. HSN has something for everyone! So happy for you that you’re enjoying yours!!!
mommadboss, don’t know if this will help you or not but I did have two Brother machines that would do embroidery. They are good machines but I sold them and I now have the singer futura 250 and the sesq6000 multi hoop. I prefer the singer and one reason is it was so hard to get anything to work with Brother unless it was their own product. I also like the stitches on the Singer better . Much easier to get other programs to work. that being said, you’ll make your own mind up. Good luck.
Hi Darlene, last month I prchased the today’s special and you were showing a roll to store all the feet that come with the machine. How could I get the instructions to make this roll. Thank you and keep the good work.
Hi Kendra4,
You can get the foot roll up bag from two places. One you can email Darlene or you can go to her web site or facebook. website is http://www.DarleneCahill.com
There you will find the instructions for the foot roll up bag. You can sign up for free or subscribe to her Dar’s stars. I am a member of Dar’s stars and really enjoy her site. She has lots of info on her site plus she has a sewing contest each month and the winner gets a prize. This month it is a tootsie warmer.
HI Kendra4,
Thank you for watching the sewing shows and shopping with HSN and for asking about the Wrap N Snap! You can download and print a copy of the instructions from my website darlenecahill.com ENJOY!
HI, AND THANK YOU DARLENE!!! WHAT MACHINE CAN I BUY THAT DOES EYELET SEWING? PLEASE HELP!! THANKS Noreen Kazer-Rak
HI nkr1,
The Singer Curvy and Stylist ll computerized machines both have an eyelet stitch. Hope this helps!
NKRI, I checked this out for you! Singer’s 9960, the L-500 , the Superb, the Signature and the 1000 stitch also ALL do an eyelet stitch. I would recommend an eyelet puncher though, rather than an awl. The puncher will poke out a hole while the awl will only poke a hole and then push fabric to the side. Happy sewing!
Hi Darlene
I just bought the Singer Signature sewing machine (model #9340)with the added value package. This is my 1st embroidery machine. Is there a way to inlarge the Alphabets(block & script)? They seem small to momogram names.
Thanks
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thank you for purchasing your new Singer Signature from HSN. You chose a wonderful computerized sewing machine, not an embroidery machine. There is no way to enlarge letters more than 7mm, the standard size for decorative stitching. This size is good for labels, tags, ribbons, greeting cards, etc…If you’re interested in larger letters and monogramming, I hope you’ll consider one of the Futura or Quartet machines from Singer. They will hook up to your computer.
Hi there Darlene so happy to see you this month. I still havent decided on a embroider machine. I have been looking at brother and singers and reading all the reviews and they all say something bad and good about both so since im new to embroridery and i no you are fixen to have new machines out this month and you have used most of all machines which one would you choose to buy that is easy to understand and to grow with. Im looking to do it on clothes and towels and big monagrams. thanks
Hi Mommaboss,
I am also new to embroidery machine sewing. I have the singer futura sesq6000. I have a total of 3 singer machines. One is the heavy duty commercial grade. The last being my 26 year old machine.
I too have done lots of embroidering on my sesq6000. I find it easy to work with. the software is very good. Can you embroider right out of the box yes you can just install the software on your computer. The key to this machine is the software. I would think any of the futura machines.
would fit your purpose. I like the FQ machines because you can do any kind of sewing with them as well. Check HSN they have several on their site. Watch the videos to get an idea of what each one can do. Darlene is the best at what she shows you on her demo time. Great presentations from Darlene. Plus you really do get lots of extras.
Hope this helps you out,
CupaTea
Thank you Cupatea for answering in my absence! YOU are a doll and your support and helpful advice is appreciated very much! I completely agree that the software is key and there’s really no better value out there for versatility, relevance and ease of use! Thanks again!
DC you are so welcome. I try to help out where I can. Love love love your site. I have enjoyed all the videos. Watched you in the Sept NSM on Hsn. I have learned a few more things from you. Glad you are on the mend and doing well. Look forward to seeing you on HSN again real soon.
Your sewing friend,
Cupatea
HI JazzieJoanie,
Sewing with metallic thread is a great question! I recommend a metallic needle and a lower tension setting to accommodate the thread’s increased width. Practice first. I also suggest you select stitches that only move forward such as a satin stitch or crescent rather than a stretch stitch that will backtrack–this may cause shredding and frustration. I had great results cutting appliques with the Slice.
Hi Darlene!
I have a question about sewing with metallic thread…what is the best tension and settings to sew with it, without it breaking? Is there a special needle? Also, have you ever used the cricut to cut fabric for applique? Love watching ya, missed one of your shows, kept checking the schedule and your blog to see when you were one, being sewing month…forgot to check e-mail..duh! There it was reminding me! Hee! Keep up the awesome work, totally enjoy watching ya!