How do I do zig zag edges?

[zed]

My mum gave me her sewing machine, I've roughly worked out how to do zig zag stitches, but is it possible to do them right up to the edge so they can be used as edging in the same way as blanket stitch?

The only thing I could thinkof was to use that stitch and tear (is that what it's called?)
Or maybe it's done on an overlocker and not possible?

Here's some examples
www.flickr.com/photos/aileenclarke/8027001665/in/photostream

[MTRuth]

Zed - you just do a zig zag stitch right along the edge without using any support like stitch and tear. The needle will go off the edge on one side of the zigzag stitch but that's OK. It will cover the edge of the felt. You need to have fairly firm felt for this to work. Otherwise, you would need a backing for it. Just try it out on a firm scrap of felt. It takes a bit of practice to make it look nice. I usually start with a longer stitch length and go around once. Then I shorten the stitch length and stitch around again. Then the last stitch around, I shorten the stitch length as far as I can. On the stitch width, I usually use at least 5 on my machine. On your first go round, you can do the zigzag at 4 but then increase the width on the next two rounds. At the corners is the hardest part. If you put a piece of waste thread through the corner (back from where the stitching will be) with a needle and leave the two ends loose, you can use this as a "handle" for when you're turning. It helps to guide the felt through the machine as there isn't much room to hold on when you get to a corner.

I hope that makes sense, if not, let me know and I'll try to be more clear. Also, you might be able to find instructions online if you look up using zigzag stitch to edge a fabric postcard. That is how most people do those.

[zed]

Thanks ruth. I did try it like that, but it really pulled the edge in, so I'll try again with wider stitches. It's only a simple machine so the stitch length and width are the same, you can't alter them separately, so close stitches are small, but I can go round a few times. That's a good tip about turning

[jufergu]

Sometimes, I put yarn along the edge and zizag over it. A sort of couching effect. I like the look.

[lyn]

That would also protect a delicate felt edge Judy - good idea.

[Shepherdess]

Couching stuff down looks really good with yarn and felt.

[zed]

I think everything I make will have something attached by zigzag stitch from now on