This is a (Bernina) must-have foot for lots of reasons! Most machines will have something similar… Tomorrow, I plan to showcase a project that shows this technique on an entire easy table runner project, utilizing some left-over scraps of silk I was given. (There’s a teaser photo at the end)… YOU too, can creatively apply this easy-to-use and very simple technique on your quilts and garments! Why should you own this foot? Here’s a few of my reasons:
- Visibility!
- Most folks don’t realize/see that it has a small hole in the front of the foot that enables you to load a thick thread (like Razzle Dazzle/Superior or YLI Candlelight and more), and couch it on perfectly, and perfectly centered — easy!
- The red marks provide ease for exact placement, especially the middle mark, as the thread will stay aligned in the center position, and so the red middle mark is a wonderful guide in itself, couching or not!
Choose a narrow zig zag; mine in this photo is 1.2mm wide by 2.35 long. You can adjust as you see fit depending on your type of machine. Basically it’s 1.5mm by 2.5 in length.
In the pic below, you may be able to see the very tiny zig zag stitch on the thread where it’s been stitched and then cut. To load the thread into the foot, I usually have to wet (lick!) the end of the thread, inserting it into the front, and feeding it to the back of the foot.
When I couch with a silver thread, I use a white top thread; but this is strictly a personal preference, depending on what look you’re going for. I like several different kinds; choose either a 40 weight white polyester or a 50 weight, such as masterpiece cotton for blending with the silver thread. I also love this foot for it’s clear visibility when it comes to top stitching! And.. don’t forget your needle position adjustment is a great tool to use… (Bernina’s have 9-11 different needle positions)… all of which can be moved/adjusted while you are sewing!
Perfect placement for both techniques is where it really shines! I top stitched the fabric first, using my far left or far right needle position, (and lengthened the stitch too!), aligning the edge of the foot as it worked for easy placement as a guide. With it ‘s clear visibility, it’s easy to keep a perfectly straight line, too! Once all pieces were top stitched, then I switched to the thick (Razzle Dazzle or YLI) thread, threaded it through the center hole, from front to back, set my zig zag (as mentioned in the dimensions above), center needle position, and stitch! Watch tomorrow for the full showcase on what the final project looks like!