Replies

1. 
   FrancesC | May 02, 2005 04:14am | #1

   I have never used a wing needle, only seen illustrations of the result. After looking at the instructions in one of my books, I would say that you need to find an book, or article, to help you because it looks too complicated to explain in a reply here.

   My book is from the Singer Sewing Reference Library and is entitled "Decorative machine stitching". I'm sure that others will be able to suggest other titles. If you have any sewing books, perhaps you already have some helpful information.

   Frances C.

1. 
   hal90005 | May 03, 2005 12:25am | #3

   Thanks. I appreciate the name of the book, will look it up in the book store...

2. 
   HeartFire | May 02, 2005 06:00am | #2

   Mandy, I don't know what type of sewing machine you have, but the tric with wing needles is to use a fairly loose weave, a fine linnen is great, and if your machine has what looks like a buttonhole stitch try it with that,
   the book "fine machine sewing " by Carolle Ahles has a really great chapter on "hemstitching" which is with a wing needles. You can do some really beautiful edgings around facings and hems with it a wing needle, even more fun to play with is a double wing needle - that has one straigt (regular) needle and one wing needle.
   in the book, the 'names' of the stitches she uses with the wing needle are 'Parisian, Rhodes, Venetian, Picot, Turkish, Daisy, 4 sided & cross stitch' but these may have different names on different brands of machines. she has a great chart in the back of the book how to set up the stitches for many many different brands of machines.

   The rest of the books is just as good, if you dn't have it I highly reccomend it
   Judy

3. 
   suesew | May 03, 2005 04:09am | #4

   Wing needles are supposed to make holes in fabric. They work especially well if you have a stitch that goes back into the same hole more than once.

4. 
   carolfresia | May 03, 2005 05:36pm | #5

   Mandy,

   Threads, No. 115, had an article on using the wing needle for a hemstitched edge. It's a wonderful technique, as simple as can be. I used it to put a decorative edge around the neckline and hem of a bias-cut linen dress, and it was just the right touch. If you don't have this issue, look under "back issues" on the Threads homepage.

   Oh--I think hte stitch I used was a honeycomb stitch.

   Carol

1. 
   hal90005 | May 05, 2005 01:54am | #6

   thanks Carol. just got this copy and got some great tips. Do you know if wing needles come in different sizes?

1. 
   mem1 | May 06, 2005 08:03am | #7

   I am not sure about different sizes but you get a great result if you use a soluable stabilizer behind the stitching when you do it.Use stitches which go into the same hole a few times and the other thing which I found worked very well is to pull a thread or two in the direction in which you are sewing . This makes the hole a bit better and also acts as a guide  for your row of stitching . Its imprtant to have your cut edges very straight though or everything will be off . When you hemstich by hand you pull alot of threads and use the sewing to bundle up the threadson the upper and lower edges of the pulled threads, and so make holes in the fabric.Its a very subtle but pretty way of enhancing fine linen or other fine but open weaves.Looks lovely when combined witha wide hem on the bottom of a shirt or comined with fine pintucks down the front of a top , down the center of a sleeve etc.Its commonly a feature of heirloom sewing . I prefer the simplicity of the rows of stitching by themselves.

2. 
   GALEY | May 12, 2005 12:44am | #9

   Yes, wing needles do come in other sizes.  Perhaps a sewing supply catalog can help you.  I use Clothilde's.

1. 
   hal90005 | May 12, 2005 04:11am | #10

   Thanks. Very useful info...

5. 
   user-67089 | May 11, 2005 03:11pm | #8

   When useing a wing needle for best results I have found that if I use a stablizer under my stitiches and or stiffen the fabric with a fabric spary stablizer I get the best results.  Depending on where or what I am stitching on will determine what type I use.  Most of the time I will use a wash away.  I hope that  this helps just a bit.

1. 
   hal90005 | May 12, 2005 04:11am | #11

   Thanks for the info on the stabilizers.

1. 
   user-67089 | May 12, 2005 01:54pm | #12

   Your Welcome!  I love heirloom embroidery and using the different needles to see what differnt things I can come up!  Enjoy.  If you want to know what I use I will be happy to tell you! 

1. 
   hal90005 | May 13, 2005 01:15am | #13

   YES PLEASE!!!! I would love all the help you are willing to share.Thank you so much.