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Sewing Tips - How To Sew More Professional Looking Top-Stitching

By Marian Lewis

Here is a sewing tip to add to your sewing techniques book.

Learn how to sew more professional looking top-stitching at the sewing machine using your regular sewing thread.

Use the same thread that you used to sew your garment for a matching top-stitching. Or, use a contrasting thread for more definition.

When you top-stitch with a single thread, it seems to sink into your fabric and is not very noticeable.

For more professional looking top-stitching, try using three threads on the top of the sewing machine.

You don't need to buy three spools of thread to do this.

Just wind three bobbins of sewing thread and place them on the spindle at the top of the sewing machine where you normally place your single spool of thread.

Try to have your bobbins full to begin top-stitching.

Fill one bobbin as you normally do for the bobbin case.

Thread the bottom bobbin as usual.

Hold the end of each of the top three bobbin threads together in your hand and thread them as one thread through your sewing machine and needle. Moistening the threads first seems to help.

You may need a needle threader to help you do this. You can find a needle threader in the notions department of your favorite sewing or fabric store or you may already have one in your sewing case.

Set your sewing machine stitch for a longer stitch (about 6 to 8 stitches per inch).

Stitch very slowly and straight. Use a stitching guide or tape to help you if you need it.

This makes a very elegant top-stitch. Try it!

Stitch multiple rows about 1/8 inch apart for a high quality look.

Contrasting thread adds more definition. Try using white or a metallic gold or silver thread on a dark fabric or a darker shade of thread on a light fabric. Experiment on scraps to get the look you want.

Check out the finest ready-to-wear boutiques for more top-stitching ideas.

You are the designer! Have fun with top-stitching.
Three threads are better than one!
It just makes sense!

©2009 Marian Lewis - All Rights Reserved 1st Step To Sewing Success

Rowan Kaffe Fassett Thread 9 Piece Circus

From Rowan/ Westminster Fibers, these colors were handpicked by designer Kaffe Fassett to accompany his Circus fabric collection.

Includes 9 spools Nr. 50
100% Extra long staple mercerized Giza cotton
200 yards, 183 meters
Exceptional Sewing & quilting performance
Modern processing results in a consistent, strong thread with virtually no lint
Harmonizes with Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett fabrics

Rowan Kaffe Fassett Thread 9 Piece Stones

From Rowan/ Westminster Fibers, these colors were handpicked by designer Kaffe Fassett to accompany his Stones fabric collection.

Includes 9 spools Nr. 50
100% Extra long staple mercerized Giza cotton
200 yards, 183 meters
Exceptional Sewing & quilting performance
Modern processing results in a consistent, strong thread with virtually no lint
Harmonizes with Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett fabrics

Rowan Amy Butler Thread 9 Piece Love

From Rowan/ Westminster Fibers, these colors were handpicked by designer Amy Butler to accompany her Love fabric collection.

Includes 9 spools
Nr. 50
100% Extra long staple mercerized Giza cotton
200 yards, 183 meters
Exceptional Sewing & quilting performance
Modern processing results in a consistent, strong thread with virtually no lint
Harmonizes with Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett fabrics

Rowan Amy Butler Thread 9 Piece Soul Blossoms

From Rowan/ Westminster Fibers, these colors were handpicked by designer Amy Butler to accompany her Soul Blossoms fabric collection.

Includes 9 spools
Nr. 50
100% Extra long staple mercerized Giza cotton
200 yards, 183 meters
Exceptional Sewing & quilting performance
Modern processing results in a consistent, strong thread with virtually no lint
Harmonizes with Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett fabrics

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Comment by lisa on October 6, 2009 at 9:02am: Athena, thank you but am I suppose to catch it on the ditch?

Comment by lisa on October 6, 2009 at 8:59am: thank you for the tips....

Comment by Marilyn Macrae on June 24, 2009 at 10:16am: Glenda I think she's telling you to thread one needle with 3 threads not use 3 needles. Hope this helps..

Comment by deedesigns on June 20, 2009 at 12:44pm: wow
i have been sewing for years and this is new 2 me; but i will tried it with my next project....dee

Comment by Pat Gallant on June 19, 2009 at 6:43pm: Great idea! I've done two in different colours, three would be even better. Thanks for the tip.

Comment by Athena's Grove on June 19, 2009 at 5:04am: Lisa,
One sure-fire way to catch both is to stitch the wrong side first and then go back and stitch the right side. That way, they're both secure, but you only see one row of stitching on the right side.

Comment by Myra on June 18, 2009 at 8:12pm: Wow. I read your tip on Wednesday, tried it on Thursday and it really works. The topstitching is beautiful. Thank you so much for the tip.

Comment by lisa on June 18, 2009 at 6:47am: thats a great help! Thanks for the great tips. Also I always get a bad topsticth on a binding..to be able to catch the top and bottom is very tricky for me....any recommendations anyone?

Comment by Mary Ellen Edwards on June 18, 2009 at 1:01am: WOW! What a great suggestion. I am going to try this soon. I thought I was an old dog and knew all the tricks but this one is a new one for me. Thanks!

Comment by mary on June 17, 2009 at 7:38pm: When doing topstitching by hand or 'picking' a zipper for that $$$ look and must get it EVEN and it's one of 'those' times, try a basting stitch as a guide and then take the guide stitch out when you have completed the job. Using a topstitching or other heavier thread is easier than using a double thread for hand work.