With this step, you have completed a single zigzag stitch. For example, you might decide to finish the edges of a red piece of fabric with white thread for contrast, or go with a red thread that will match the fabric and blend in. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This article has been viewed 132,404 times. If your machine does not automatically adjust the width and length of the stitch for you, then start with a stitch length of 1.4 and a stitch width of 5.0. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 It may be helpful to write each setting directly onto the scrap fabric so you know what each one will look like. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. I would call it the poor man’s serger stitch. References. The zigzag stitch can be useful as a way to create a hem on a finished skirt, shirt, or other project. Your A point should be at the bottom right edge of your desired stitch line. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. By using our site, you agree to our. Approved. Pull the needle and thread completely through until the end knot lies flat against the back of the fabric. Keep the raw edge under the presser foot and sew the zig zag stitch alittle in from the edge. This will make it easier to decide on a preferred setting and serve as a helpful reference for future projects. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you are unhappy with the length and/or width of the stitches, then adjust the length and/or width to your liking. ", https://www.pinterest.com/pin/80783387041897403/, http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/chain-stitch/zig-zag-chain-stitch/, http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/chain-stitch/chain-stitch/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The zigzag edge that you sew into the hem will be decorative and functional. Pull the needle and thread completely through to the back of the fabric, creating a flat vertical stitch between. Keep in mind that an overcast foot is optional. how to zig zag stitch raw edges Home; About; Contact; Blog; References. A little line of thread should run parallel to the needle on its left side. Do not pull the needle completely through, Slide the thread underneath the tip of the needle coming out at. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 132,404 times. Insert the needle through the fabric at the starting point of your stitch line, A. Poke through from the back of the fabric to the front. % of people told us that this article helped them. Pull the needle and thread completely through so that the end knot lies flush against the back of the fabric. "I learned to sew when I was 3 years old, mostly practicing hand stitching on handkerchiefs. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Tighten the thread until it creates a flat vertical stitch at the back of the fabric, mirroring the one on the front. Only insert the tip of the needle for now. Pull the needle and thread completely through to the front of the fabric, tightening the loop you just created. These stitches should be nearly identical to the ones you created down the first pass, but they will slant in the opposite direction (left to right instead of right to left). By using our site, you agree to our. Continue pulling the needle and thread through to the back of the fabric until a flat diagonal stitch connecting, Pull the thread through completely, creating a flat vertical stitch along the back of the fabric from. It prevents unraveling of the raw edges of the fabric – when sewn by machine as well as by hand. This should create a secure knot. Before drawing the thread flat, insert the needle through the loop you just created. Zigzag stitches are used to protect the raw edges of material. Learn more... Zigzag edges are a great way to secure a hem, but they can also be helpful for preventing a piece of fabric from fraying. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Use these lines to guide the top and bottom points of your zigzags. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Do-a-Zigzag-Stitch-by-Hand-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-a-Zigzag-Stitch-by-Hand-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Do-a-Zigzag-Stitch-by-Hand-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5484969-v4-728px-Do-a-Zigzag-Stitch-by-Hand-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"