How to Sew a Satin Stitch

The term "satin stitch" refers to a series of stitches laid side by side. This stitch can be used as a decorative stitch or to affix one piece of fabric to another.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sweatshirts
• Ironing Boards
• Irons
• Paper-backed Fusible Webbing
• Scrap Fabrics
• Sewing Needles
• Thimbles
• Threads
• Scissors
• Scissors
• appliqués

1. Apply a satin stitch by hand or with a machine. To satin stitch by machine, your machine will need to have a zigzag setting.

2. Use a satin stitch to affix an appliqué to another piece of fabric.

3. Make sure that your appliqué has been properly affixed to the fabric. An iron-on fusible web will help.

4. Make straight, even, parallel stitches along the raw edge of the appliqué.

5. Bring your sewing needle up through the appliqué and down through the fabric.

6. Keep stitches even and as close together as possible.

7. Use your machine to satin stitch an appliqué.

8. Choose the zigzag setting and adjust the stitch width and length until stitches are the desired size.

9. Practice on scrap fabric first.

10. Try to keep stitches as short as possible while still achieving the effect you want. Very long stitches will not lie as evenly as shorter stitches and may cause your fabric to pucker.

11. Use a small, machine-sewn or hand-sewn satin stitch to outline areas of an appliqué, or use it directly on fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your fusible web is made for sewing. There are many variations, and the wrong one can cause your machine's needle to gum up and lock.
• Use a satin stitch to outline a name or initials on a sweatshirt, denim or other heavy fabric.