The edge stitch sewing presser foot is a useful tool for creating professional-looking finishes on your sewing projects. It can be used to create perfect topstitching, attach trims and bindings, and even sew in zippers (this one has me stumped).
What is an Edge Stitch Presser Foot?
The best sewing presser foot ever - that's what it is! Joking aside, it really is a useful presser foot. Depending on the manufacturer, the foot can vary slightly in appearance; however, they will look similar. The one thing that is a constant is a blade, or guide, in the center of the foot. When your needle is in the center needle position, the needle will be directly behind the blade. This presser foot has a wide opening where the needle goes into the fabric. This opening allows you to move your needle (if your machine has the capability of moving the needle). Moving your needle is the key to how this presser foot has so many uses. You'll see why soon. Read on! :)
The edge stitch foot can go by several names: edge stitch foot, stitch in ditch foot, edge joining foot, or ditch quilting foot!
Here are ten ways to use an edge stitch sewing presser foot:
Topstitching with the Edge Stitch Foot
This presser foot helps to create neat and even lines of stitching along the edge of your fabric. Topstitching and edge stitching are often confused. Top stitching tends to be a little larger than its cousin.
Edge Stitching
Of course, edge stitching! A cousin of topstitching is edge stitching. Edge stitching is defined as a row of stitching on the very edge of a garment, normally ⅛” or less from the edge. Top stitching is said to be used in more casual applications; whereas, edge stitching is used when you want to class it up a bit.
Attaching Trims
Are you attaching beautiful trim to your project and you're having trouble keeping your stitches straight? This foot will come to your rescue! You can align the guide next to the trim, move your needle over, and sew down the trim. Handy dandy!
Binding with the Edge Stitch Foot
Let's touch on another great way to use this foot! It can be used to attach binding to the edge of your fabric. This is a great technique for finishing the edges of quilts, placemats, and other projects.
Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting
This is one of my favorite ways to use this foot - stitch in the ditch quilting! This involves sewing in the seam between two pieces of fabric, creating a subtle line of stitching that helps hold the layers together.
Use Your Batting Scraps
I love this technique. Do you have a bunch of batting scraps and you're not sure how to use them? Use the joining foot to easily and quickly attach them together to make a full piece of batting! Select a zig zag stitch - I prefer the triple zig zag stitch in this application - place the blade of your edge stitch foot between the two pieces of batting. Make sure that your zig zag stitch is wide enough to catch both sides...and sew.
Hemming
Use the edge stitch foot to create a neat, even hem on your pants, skirts, or dresses. This can be particularly useful when working with heavier fabrics that can be difficult to fold neatly.
Applique
If you're adding applique to your project, the edge stitch foot can help you stitch it in place neatly and securely. This works great for straight line pieces. I find that the blade on the edge stitch foot can be a little cumbersome if you are going around a lot of curves. As previously mentioned, the appearance of the foot can vary. If you are wanting to use this foot for applique with curves, I suggest looking for an edge stitch foot that has a shorter blade; it makes it easy to move around.
Decorative Stitches
Picture this! You're attaching to pieces of fabric, but you don't want to use just a boring zig zag stitch. Select a large decorative stitch, one that will catch both pieces of fabric when sewing. Place one fabric on the left of the blade and the other on the right. Sew some beautiful decorative stitches, all while attaching the two pieces of fabric together. You could get so creative with this! Your throw pillows are going to be one of a kind. ;)
Other Applications
The above options are techniques that I have used the edge stitch foot for. I have also heard of another way to use this handy foot; however, I have not yet tried it. If you try this, please let me know!!
Installing a Zipper
For some reason, I am having a hard time understanding how this one would work, but I am all about giving it a try. I could see this working, possibly, if you wanted quite a bit of zipper tape to show. You could use the edge stitch foot follow the edge of the zipper tape and then move your needle to sew down the zipper tape to the fabric. Again, you would have quite a bit of tape showing. Hmmm...must try.
In conclusion, the edge stitch foot is a versatile tool that can help you achieve a professional finish on a wide range of sewing projects. Whether you're topstitching, attaching trims, or sewing in zippers, the edge stitch foot can help you achieve precise, even stitching with ease. If you use the edge stitch foot for a different application, I'd love to hear what it is!
Quick fun story! Sewing Parts Online Ambassador, Kourtney Govro, calls it the Stitcher Ditcher Foot! I think we all need to go play with our Stitcher Ditcher Foot!! :)
Until next time, Happy Sewing!
