Every time I mention the Wiggle Stitch, someone asks me what it is and how to do it. I have posted on the topic before, so I hope those of you who visit here regularly aren't bored with the subject.
First of all, this stitch undoubtedly has a proper name, but I don't know what it is. It is wiggly, so I call it the Wiggle Stitch. You can see in the photo above that I am using my walking foot, with the measuring bar attached to it. The bar is set about two inches from the needle. This is a little wider than I typically like it, but I had it set this way for one of the charity quilts I was quilting. Normally, I'd do around 1 inch.
Depending on how close together your rows are, you can have a quilt that is densely quilted, or not, if that is your preference. You can also do a cross hatch design which will result in a pattern that looks like chicken wire or jig saw pieces. It is very forgiving, easy to do, and fast. Pretty error proof.
My sewing machine is a Bernina 153 Quilters Edition. The stitch setting is number 4 on my machine. If you do not have a Bernina, it may be some other number on your machine. If you have a stitch that looks squiggly, try it out, it may be the same one.
See? When I press that number 4 stitch button, it shows in the digital screen on the front of my machine. Here is something else I want to point out:
You must increase your stitch length to about 2.5, or you will have teensy weensy wiggles, which is not what you want for this type of quilting. Just play with it until it looks right to you.
Here I go, finishing up the charity quilt. This went quite fast, and I was super pleased with the result. I am no expert at machine quilting, but have been practicing a lot lately, and love this stitch for those projects I tackle myself. It first came to my attention in a post written by Camille Roskelley on her Simplify blog on Jan. 20. Turns out, as usual I was late to the party, and lots of quilters tell me they use this stitch. Give it a go, you may like it too!
40 responses to “How To Do the Wiggle Stitch”
I love this stitch too and I kick myself for not using it sooner. I did it on my Scrappy Trip quilt and it looks like ric rac to me and looks so good with this quilt. There must be other stitches on our Berninas we haven’t discovered. I’m going to have to do some investigating here today seeing how we are getting yet another foot of snow today and I’m not going anywhere.
I love this stitch too and I kick myself for not using it sooner. I did it on my Scrappy Trip quilt and it looks like ric rac to me and looks so good with this quilt. There must be other stitches on our Berninas we haven’t discovered. I’m going to have to do some investigating here today seeing how we are getting yet another foot of snow today and I’m not going anywhere.
This is my go-to stitch when quilting my charity quilts! I have a Bernina 180 and I use stitch #4 elongated, but I call it “Stitch in the Vicinity of the Ditch” 😀
This is my go-to stitch when quilting my charity quilts! I have a Bernina 180 and I use stitch #4 elongated, but I call it “Stitch in the Vicinity of the Ditch” 😀
I don’t have a Bernina but I do have a machine with lots of stitches. I am going to investigate when I get home tonight. I love the way it looks and since I have a quilt top for a baby that needs quilting I sure hope my machine can do something at least similar. (Or maybe I will just cheat and borrow my sister’s Bernina!)
I don’t have a Bernina but I do have a machine with lots of stitches. I am going to investigate when I get home tonight. I love the way it looks and since I have a quilt top for a baby that needs quilting I sure hope my machine can do something at least similar. (Or maybe I will just cheat and borrow my sister’s Bernina!)
Thank you. I am going to give that a try. Neat!
Thank you. I am going to give that a try. Neat!
I have a Janome 6600. Do any of your readers have a suggestion for a similar stich on this machine? I am looking forward to trying something similar to this!
I have a Janome 6600. Do any of your readers have a suggestion for a similar stich on this machine? I am looking forward to trying something similar to this!
Thanks for this more detailed bit of instructions for the Wiggle Stitch! I think it will do nicely for several projects that need to be quilted and I am happy my machine is just like yours!
Hugs!
Thanks for this more detailed bit of instructions for the Wiggle Stitch! I think it will do nicely for several projects that need to be quilted and I am happy my machine is just like yours!
Hugs!
I’ve used this lots of times. Back when I lived in Hawaii there was a group (and still is) making Kid Comfort quilts for the children of deployed soldiers. They featured photo transfers of the soldier and family members. We used this stitch to quilt them. It was always called the “serpentine stitch” when we discussed it.
I’ve used this lots of times. Back when I lived in Hawaii there was a group (and still is) making Kid Comfort quilts for the children of deployed soldiers. They featured photo transfers of the soldier and family members. We used this stitch to quilt them. It was always called the “serpentine stitch” when we discussed it.
It looks a lot like a three step zigzag. That’s my mom’s go to zigzag stitch for garment sewing because it’s easier to maneuver for a straighter line than a traditional zigzag stitch. We also use it for a decorative topstitch on casual items like bags and placemats. A great versatile stitch apparently! I’ve never thought of widening it like that though…pretty and something to remember. Thanks for the idea!
It looks a lot like a three step zigzag. That’s my mom’s go to zigzag stitch for garment sewing because it’s easier to maneuver for a straighter line than a traditional zigzag stitch. We also use it for a decorative topstitch on casual items like bags and placemats. A great versatile stitch apparently! I’ve never thought of widening it like that though…pretty and something to remember. Thanks for the idea!
On the Elna 740 it’s stitch 19. I soo miss my ‘real’ machine. The old machine I’m using while my baby is at the repair shop doesn’t have this stitch. 🙁
On the Elna 740 it’s stitch 19. I soo miss my ‘real’ machine. The old machine I’m using while my baby is at the repair shop doesn’t have this stitch. 🙁
I can’t wait to try this out! I saw your last post about it, but haven’t had a project to do it on yet.
I can’t wait to try this out! I saw your last post about it, but haven’t had a project to do it on yet.
Thanks for sharing…will do some experimenting on my Janome!! Fingers crossed!!
P
Thanks for sharing…will do some experimenting on my Janome!! Fingers crossed!!
P
I love how forgiving this stitch is! I’m using it now on a couch quilt for a soon to be college grad. It is #26 on my Janome MC6600 machine. I call it the serpentine stitch, or if I’m hungry, the lasagna stitch as then it looks like lasagna noodles to me. Thanks for sharing.
I love how forgiving this stitch is! I’m using it now on a couch quilt for a soon to be college grad. It is #26 on my Janome MC6600 machine. I call it the serpentine stitch, or if I’m hungry, the lasagna stitch as then it looks like lasagna noodles to me. Thanks for sharing.
I shared this stitch with my sewing group friends last week. One of the ladies knew it as ‘serpentine stitch’ when I described it as #4 on a Bernina. That may be the technical name but I’m sticking with your official ‘wiggle stitch’ name! Call it what you will; I love the look & forgiveness it offers!!!
I shared this stitch with my sewing group friends last week. One of the ladies knew it as ‘serpentine stitch’ when I described it as #4 on a Bernina. That may be the technical name but I’m sticking with your official ‘wiggle stitch’ name! Call it what you will; I love the look & forgiveness it offers!!!
That’s the stitch I’m going to use the next time I quilt something simple. I have a 1090 so my stitch length will be longer than 2.5. What width did you set yours at?
That’s the stitch I’m going to use the next time I quilt something simple. I have a 1090 so my stitch length will be longer than 2.5. What width did you set yours at?
No, I’m late to the party too, but I did try it out, and I love the results.
No, I’m late to the party too, but I did try it out, and I love the results.
I believe the “Wiggly” stitch is also referred to as a Serpentine stitch. I don’t have it on my current machine, and yes it is very forgiving. I just love all the quilts you are working on.
I believe the “Wiggly” stitch is also referred to as a Serpentine stitch. I don’t have it on my current machine, and yes it is very forgiving. I just love all the quilts you are working on.
I have never seen the stitch on any machine other than a Bernie. You just can’t the smoothness of the wiggles on any other machine.
I have never seen the stitch on any machine other than a Bernie. You just can’t the smoothness of the wiggles on any other machine.
Great demo and info! I’ve seen this stitch used and thy always rave about it so will have to give it a try 🙂
Great demo and info! I’ve seen this stitch used and thy always rave about it so will have to give it a try 🙂
I have the Janome Horizon 7700 and am doing this stitch on a quilt I am working on now. It is the #11 utility stitch (zigzag) and I have set my width to 5 and length to 4. Play with it a bit to see what you like. I have done a couple of variations switching up the length and width but I seem to like the 5 and 4 best.
I have the Janome Horizon 7700 and am doing this stitch on a quilt I am working on now. It is the #11 utility stitch (zigzag) and I have set my width to 5 and length to 4. Play with it a bit to see what you like. I have done a couple of variations switching up the length and width but I seem to like the 5 and 4 best.
I shall have to try this out. I don’t think my Pfaff has the stitch but I think I could extend out a zig zag to do similar.
I shall have to try this out. I don’t think my Pfaff has the stitch but I think I could extend out a zig zag to do similar.