Auto Stipple Stitch? I'm so confused!!

8 years ago

Hello everyone, I am so confused and need some guidance. I have searched for this, but I keep getting results come back that are not the answer that I'm looking for. I have a Brother HE240 sewing/embroidery machine. There is a stitch on there - an auto stipple stitch, for the sewing machine portion. I am working on my first quilt. (Sorry for the rambling, I'm just so confused).

Anyway, the auto stipple stitch....how do I use it? Every time I search, I keep getting results about how experienced quilters use a regular stitch (I think), to do free hand stippling. Maybe that's all this one is supposed to do? I don't know. I assumed naively so, that this stitch would automatically move the fabric around a bit in a stippling fashion. LOL. You know how some stitches do that, go backwards, and make stars, etc.

So, am I being naive to think that? Do I still need more experience to be able to make that stitch work?

I can use the embroidery part to do the stippling, but that requires me hooping and rehooping over and over on a big quilt. It's my first, and it was far too ambitious for my skills, but I am not throwing all that hard work away, even though it's not all that pretty. I can remember doing certain things with each block, etc, learning things and so on. Please advise me what I need to do? I would appreciate it. :)

Featured Answer

susanzone5 (NY)

8 years ago

Before I use any stitch, I make a quilt sandwich from scraps and practice sewing. You may find that the machine's feed dogs do all the work and all you have to do is guide the fabric through.

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Comments (7)

msmeow
8 years ago
I have two Brother machines and on both the stipple stitch works just like the other decorative stitches. Keep the feed dogs up and use the presser foot and let the machine guide itself. It goes through its little squiggly pattern and the end of the pattern is the start of the next repeat.

If you've tried it and the fabric is bunching up, you need some kind of stabilizer under the fabric. Sometimes just a sheet of paper is enough.

Donna
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latifolia
8 years ago
I have only Berninas, so have no experience with your Brother model. My Bernina has a stippling stitch, the same width as the other decorative stitches. I have never used it because it is too tiny to stipple a whole quilt, maybe a cosmetic bag or something. Plus, that close stitching would make the quilt stiff.

I use my BSR foot to stipple. You can also use an open embroidery foot. You lower the feed dogs, adjust the foot pressure, and then move the quilt to create your desired pattern. It takes some practice.

I think that is what you want to do. You can probably find You Tube videos. Using your embroidery unit is another option.

Good luck!
Marlene Power
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you everyone. These are some good ideas. I will need to practice. I was far too ambitious for my first quilt. I should have tried to learn quilt as you go, but my brain couldn't wrap around that either. I have big dreams and big ideas sometimes, and then my brain won't connect the dots. LOL.
glassquilt
8 years ago
Dreams are good.
susanzone5 (NY)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Quilting requires many skills that need practice. Take some classes and read some general quilting books. As you develop skills, your quilts will look better and you will feel better!

My first foray into real quilting came with the book "Jacket Jazz." The book taught about 30 different techniques. I bought a cutting mat, a rotary cutter and a ruler and it was the start of a lifetime obsession. Once you have the general knowledge about "how to," you can branch out to art quilts for your walls.

Another tip...find your local quilt guild where you can do workshops. Use your local Brother dealer fabric store to learn more about your machine.

A really good sewing machine is an absolute necessity to minimize frustration! I love my Janome. I'm just reminiscing here...have fun with it!
Fran
8 years ago
All good suggestions here. You could also visit your dealer and ask some questions.