Feston stitches are commonly used to sew the edges of tablecloths, table lace, quilts, etc., or to make the edges of fabrics, including clothing. The feston stitch is similar to the method used for buttonhole stitches, but there is more space between the stitches and the stitch size must be the same. This stitch is pretty easy and makes a great project to work on with the kids!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Starting the Stitch
Step 1. Remember regular stitches when sewing a feston stitch
Feston stitches serve as decoration as well as for sewing. Regular stitches that are evenly spaced will give a nice, even look.
You can also change the vertical stitch to the look you choose. For example, you could sew one stitch close to the edge and the next stitch further from the edge, then close again and so on
Step 2. Choose your yarn
Since this feston stitch serves as a decoration or decoration, it is better to choose a slightly thicker thread. This way the thread will stand out from the fabric. The yarn color can be selected according to your taste, which matches your fabric.
Step 3. Thread the thread into the needle and tie a dead knot at the end of the thread
Thread the thread into the needle. Leave one end of the thread long and the other shorter, about 15-30 cm. For children, it may be best to use a double thread and tie the ends together. That way they won't be upset about the thread coming out of the needle.
Step 4. Choose your sewing direction
It can be from left to right or from right to left. Many choose from left to right although either direction works well.
Step 5. Push the needle through the fabric from back to front about 1 cm from the edge
Use your left thumb to hold the thread so it doesn't pull away from the needle (if you've knotted both ends of the thread this isn't necessary anymore). Going from front to back will leave your knot on the back side so it's not easily visible.
- If you are sewing a single layer of fabric, the knot should be on the back side of your fabric.
- When you sew two layers of fabric, the knot should be between the two fabrics so that you can't see it. Once you're done sewing, the knot will be in and the stitch will look neater.
- If you are sewing from the edge (two pieces of fabric with the fabric on the top smaller than the bottom) the first stitch should come out from the bottom edge of the fabric on the top.
Step 6. Bring the thread around the edge of the fabric and back through the same point as your first stitch
Your first and last stitch or stitch should always be two jumps at the same point. That way the first and last stitches are vertical like the others, not diagonal.
Step 7. Stick your needle through the circle you made
when you sew from left to right, your needle should be stabbed to the right along the fabric. And vice versa when you sew from right to left. This anchors the stitch but not the actual stitch.
Part 2 of 4: Sewing Around the Edge
Step 1. Move slightly to the right (or left when sewing from right to left) and insert the needle into the top end of the line
The thread will come out directly under in the bottom line.
Step 2. Pull the thread through the newly formed loop
The loop should be under the thread coming out above it. You just finished your first feston stitch! Continue with the next stitch by moving to the right and inserting the needle at the top end line one more time.
Step 3. When you reach the corner, stab the needle diagonally down across the corner
You can sew into the same hole as the previous stitch or just punch holes in a diagonal line.
Step 4. Pull the thread through the loop like a normal normal feston stitch
After piercing the needle down, pull it through the loop as you would when you were sewing around the edge. You have now completed the corner stitch!
Step 5. Thread the thread vertically to the next edge
The following stitch can be in the same hole as the corner stitch and the last stitch on the previous edge, or it can be in a new hole. This stitch can be chosen according to your wishes.
Part 3 of 4: Adding New Yarn
Step 1. Thread the needle down as if you were starting a new stitch but don't finish the stitch
- If you are sewing a single layer of fabric along the edge or sewing in from the edge, remove the thread behind the fabric.
- If you're sewing two layers of fabric along the edges then pin only through the top layer, so that more thread comes out between the two fabrics.
Step 2. Leave enough loop for the following thread to go through it
The loop cannot be so loose that there will be more thread, or so tight that the next stitch won't catch the loop as in a feston stitch. You can pull the yarn sideways so that it pulls evenly over the end of the stitch to determine how loose you should leave.
Step 3. Make a tight knot along the length of the fabric
You need to make the knot right at the edge of the fabric (on the back side or between the two fabrics) so the thread isn't too loose.
Step 4. Insert the new thread into the needle
You can choose a different color for the next stitch as a variation or use the same thread color. Tie a knot at the end of the yarn, at the longer end of the yarn or tie the two ends together in a knot.
Step 5. Start stabbing with advanced thread
This will start the stitch with your extra thread.
- If you're sewing a single layer of fabric along the edges, you'll need to tie the thread in a knot at the end of the old thread, hooking the two together.
- If you are sewing two layers of fabric along the edges, your new thread should start between the two layers and work your way out through the back of the fabric.
- If you are sewing inward from the edge, your new thread should start the same way you started the first stitch, back to front along the bottom edge of the fabric.
Step 6. Insert your needle from under the loose loop you left with the previous thread
Insert your needle from under the loop so that it looks like a stitch or the seam doesn't break. It's like you finished the second part of the basic feston stitch (pulling the yarn through the loop) with your new yarn.
Step 7. Pull the thread firmly and continue sewing as usual
After pulling the thread, stab the needle down along the top line and pull it through the loop as you would a basic feston stitch.
Part 4 of 4: Dead Seams
Step 1. Repeat the stitch through the loop until you reach the end of the fabric
Step 2. Connect your last stitch with the first stitch by inserting the slanted needle under the first stitch
This completes all edge sewing stitches.
If you sew in from the edge, you don't need the stitch to slide down. You can poke the needle down through the back on the right side of your last stitch. Then knot the thread on the back side of the fabric
Step 3. Thread the thread through the top of your first stitch and make a knot in the back
This will result in two threads in the same line and finish your stitch.
If you are sewing two layers of fabric along the edges then do not stab the needle through the top of the first stitch. It's better to make a loop with the thread under the first stitch one more time and before pulling it firmly, stab the needle through the loop to make a knot. Then pull firmly
Step 4. Pull off the excess thread
Trim the remaining thread so that your stitches look neat.
If you sew two layers of fabric along the edges, you can thread the thread between the fabrics and out through the front about 2.5 cm from the edge. Then cut the thread closer to the top layer of fabric. Pull the thread in, hidden from being seen
Step 5. Add variety when needed
Now that you've mastered the feston stitch you can try a new style with a different look. Feston skewers may vary as follows:
- Tilting stitches alternately to the right and left
- Make two or three stitches, then space them out, then repeat; or
- Sew a second row around the edge of the fabric over the first with a different color of thread.
Tips
- Thick thread is usually used for sewing feston stitches because these stitches themselves are often a decorative element as well as a way to sew the edges of fabric.
- When sewing a feston stitch around the trim of a quilt, keep the stitches even by hooking the stitch at one point on the back of the quilt design and bringing the thread up like new thread.
- Variations of feston skewers include knotted blanket, knotted edging, and whipped.
- Try this stitch around the edge of the pillow for a nice effect.
- This feston skewer is easy enough to make a fun craft project for the kids!
