Flower Stitch Attachment

This month is all about embellsihing with stitched flowers. Currently many of the High Street fashions have as a key decorations lots of pretty embellishments - these pretty flowers are just right for a sunny summer.

We show how to use a new sewing machine accessory which can then be used to create the cute cardigan on the project page - just click here to visit this page. 

Wendy Gardiner shares how to create pretty circular flower motifs to embellish plain fabric using a universal flower stitch attachment.

 
The Flower Stitch Attachment

This little flower stitch attachment fits on most machines (although Bernina need a short shank adaptor). With it you can stitch circular flowers to decorate a plain fabric. Best of all, you don’t need an expensive embroidery machine, a simple straight and zigzag machine can be used very effectively.

It is used with the feed dogs lowered and a decorative stitch pattern such as zigzag stitch, three-step zigzag, blind hem, tricot or other stitch WIDTH patterns.

Using the flower attachment

• Attach the flower stitch attachment to the machine, tightening the screw with screwdriver to ensure it doesn’t work loose as it stitches.
• Lower the feed dogs (on some machines this may mean covering them with a plastic cover).
• As with any concentrated areas of stitching, it is advisable to sew on two layers of material or use paper/Stitch ‘n’ Tear or another stabiliser on the back.
• Set needle position to left.
• Reduce top tension on thread to 3.5 - 3.
• Bring bobbin thread up and then stitch a few stitches on the spot.
• Select stitch pattern and set to widest stitch width. 4. Try the three-step zigzag, blind hem, tricot or any other simple stitch width pattern. (Just using zigzag is not very effective and does not make pleasing flowers – the result is more like a large eyelet.) Set widest stitch width.
• Sew slowly, taking care not to trap or catch the material so that the flower stitch attachment can turn it smoothly.
• Return needle to left, stitch a few stitches on spot and remove work to cut threads.

Changing flower size

To change the flower size you realign the centre (marked G on the photo) with the guide on the front. The nearer the G to the minus sign, the smaller the flower. The nearer the G to the plus sign, the larger the flower.

Using a twin needle

Try using a twin needle and playing with different threads. However, note it is necessary to keep the stitch width to less than HALF the maximum as you have two needles to work with. Use different coloured threads for each needle to get a two colour flower. Remember, twin needles come with different gaps between the needles. Check stitch choice carefully to ensure both needles clear the flower stitch attachment and needle throat plate when stitching both left and right swings of needles.

HANDY HINT: If you don’t have two spool holders and wish to use a twin needle with two threads, wind some thread onto a bobbin and place it on top of the thread reel on one spool holder, then thread both together to through the threading path.

Play time

As with any new toy, try on a sample first because unpicking can be tricky!

Stitch types

Make a centre to the flower by returning needle to left-hand position, set the stitch to straight and continue to sew round inside the flower design.

STITCH VARIATIONS

For stitch variations shown here, use a tricot – three-step zigzag stitch.

Single Needle Stitch

Larger flowers are obtained by moving the large disc towards the + and for smaller flowers, move the G lever towards the –

Concentric Stitch




Set the marking (G) in the direction of the (+) and sew the outside pattern (using a 3-step zigzag stitch). Then raise the needle, loosen the screw on top of devise and slide the large disc together with the fabric to set the mark (G) in the direction of the (-). Tighten the screw and sew the inside pattern.

Transposition Stitch

After sewing the first pattern circle, transpose the position of the notch on the disc to the third, sixth or ninth notch and stitch again.

Combine the concentric stitch with the transposition stitch to create more variations. Change thread colour for added variation.

Stockist information

This flower attachment is available from Quilt Direct, for approximately £13.
NB Bernina owners will need a separate shank to attach this devise to your machine, (£7.75) also available from Quilt Direct. For further information tel: 0500 418 083, www.quiltdirect.com email: info@quiltdirect.com

Janome owners can get this flower attachment, that fits all models (except high shank models) from www.janome.co.uk.