Sewing Techniques

Sewing Techniques

Twin Needles – Twice the Inspiration

Twin needles are constructed with two shafts on a crossbar that extend from a single shank.  They are often used for heirloom sewing, decorative stitching and anywhere where you may require multiple rows of uniform straight stitching such as top stitching or pin tucking.

When sewing with a twin needle two lines of stitching are formed an equal distance apart.  On the underside there is only one thread coming from the bobbin.  The bobbin thread goes from side to side to catch each top thread so creating a zig zag stitch underneath.

Sizing of twin needles is slightly different than other needles as there are two numbers listed on the packaging. The first number represents the distance between the needles and the second number is the metric needle size.

The distance between the twin needles may be 2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm and a 4 mm for stretch fabrics. Use 2 mm for decorative and corded pin tucks.  A 4 mm twin needle is ideal for decorative pin tucking on polar fleece and a 6 mm is perfect for top stitching.

Setting Up for Twin Needle Sewing

• Setting up the machine for use with twin needle is quite simple.  Insert the twin needle into your needle shaft just as you would insert a regular needle.
• Place two reels of thread on the spool holders so that the threads come off in opposite directions, one clockwise and the second counter clockwise.  This will prevent the threads from possibly tangling as you sew.

HANDY HINT: If you don’t have two spool holders, wind one thread onto a bobbin and then put that on the same spindle as the first thread.

• Continue by threading the two needles through the machine following the normal thread path and separating them just before the needles. 
• The left thread will go through the needle thread guide on the left side of the needle and the right hand thread through the right hand thread guide.  This will help to keep the two threads separate.
• Thread each thread through the eye of the corresponding needle.  Manually turn the hand wheel on the side of the machine towards you to bring up the bobbin thread and you are ready to sew.  Note: Automatic needle threaders cannot be used with twin needle.
• If sewing decorative stitching it is important to reduce the width of the stitch to approximately 3 mm to prevent the right hand needle from hitting the presser foot. 

HANDY HINT: Rotate the hand wheel towards you several times to check that the needle will not hit when forming the selected pattern.

It’s fun to experiment with zig zag and utility stitches and then move on to embroidery patterns. Try using different colours of thread in each needle or even toning threads.  You will be amazed at the results.

Twin Needle for Knits
One of the great advantages of this is that the zig zag provides a built-in stretch stitch making twin needle stitching ideal for working on knit fabrics.  It makes professional looking hems and can also be used around necklines when applying binding or trims giving that all important stretch without breaking stitches.  Use a needle suitable for stretch fabrics.

Most machines will facilitate twin needle, but they cannot be used on the older machines that are side loading.  Check with your stockists or manufacturer.

This article has been prepared byJanome UK Limited
www.janome-uk.co.uk
email: training@janome-uk.co.uk
tel: 0161 666 6011