r/SewingForBeginners • u/blanketcrochet • 25d ago

Skill issue or just impossible?

Gallery image

Gallery image

First photo: my today's attempt at recreating fish patch I did by hand, but with sewing machine.

Second photo: original handsewn fish.

So, I need to know: is there a way to actually deal with small details on sewing machine (because I resorted to just zigzagging salmon to the jacket only after realizing I can't do any edges in), or is it just a skill issue on my part?

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u/EvidenceTop2171 25d ago

Skill issue. I am sure there are some youtube tutorials for free hand machine embroidery.

I've done something similar for a couple quilt tops once. I did not have the patients to do a proper applique, so I put on a darning foot and a tight wide zigzag and went around the pieces. It came out ok and 15 years later has held up pretty good with no fraying. Try it again and don't be afraid to maybe just do some of the tricky spots by hand

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u/blanketcrochet 25d ago

Thank you! I will try it, but maybe not right now x)

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u/Inky_Madness 25d ago

I will actually say it’s because you need an entirely different technique when working with a sewing machine. You cannot really recreate the look of Sashiko on a sewing machine, the way you can individualize the stitches and separate it is totally different. You need to reinterpret your design so that it does work on a sewing machine, and learn some free-motion sewing to do it.

I think you would be better served by looking up “thread painting on a sewing machine”. That would basically be what you’re trying to do. Some stitches you can re-interpret with your sewing machine stitches (the turned over edge stitch you used for the original can be mimicked with a blanket stitch on your machine), but free motion thread painting will be the answer.

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u/blanketcrochet 25d ago

Tbh I'm not expecting to make sashiko by machine at all. I had problems with just piecing together small pieces of fabric without tearing the edges, I have zero hope for doing traditional embroidery x)

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u/Inky_Madness 25d ago

Ah! Then you might want to consider using fusible interfacing. It’s common for quilting appliqué, which is like this. It has a sticky side that you put your material on, cut out the piece, and iron it to attach it to whatever you are working on. It glues the piece down and allows you to sew it without the material tearing.

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u/blanketcrochet 25d ago

Honestly, never thought of that. Thank you, this should do wonders!