Core skills

Zigzag Stitch

How to set and sew a zigzag stitch, and how width and length change its look and its use.

Beginner15 minMachine

What you will learn

Check that the foot has a wide opening. A straight-stitch only foot will be hit by the needle.

Choose the zigzag stitch on the selector. It looks like a series of Z shapes.
Check the stitch width control. A width of 0 gives a straight stitch. Set it to about 3 mm to start.
Set the stitch length to 2.5 mm for open zigzag. Place scrap under the foot.
Lower the foot. Turn the handwheel slowly toward you by hand for two full stitches, one to each side, to make sure the needle clears the foot on both sides.
Sew a line of zigzag along the edge of the scrap. Look at the stitch width.
Change the width to 5 mm, or to your machine's widest setting if that is less, and sew another line. Wider zigzag is useful for edge finishing and decorative stitching.
Reduce the length to 0.5 mm for a dense zigzag. A very close zigzag is called a satin stitch and is used for appliqué and bar tacks.
Keep the scrap and label the settings for each line.

Test the settings on a scrap of the same fabric each time.
A zigzag stitch uses more thread than a straight stitch, so check the bobbin before long runs.

The needle hits the foot or plate.

The foot or plate is for straight stitch only, or the width is too wide for the plate. Reduce width and use a zigzag foot.

The fabric puckers along the zigzag.

The tension may be too tight or the stitch too dense for the fabric. Lengthen the stitch a little and test.

The stitch pulls to one side.

The fabric is being pushed. Let the feed dogs do the work.

Safety and fabric care

Always turn the handwheel by hand for two full stitches, one to each side, after changing width, so the needle does not strike the foot and snap.