Today I'm sharing one of my favorite stitches with you: the triple zigzag.
In a basic zigzag stitch, the needle makes one stitch for each leg of the zigzag. In the triple zigzag stitch, there are three stitches in each leg.
Most machines made in the last 30 years have this stitch! The stitch selector below is from our Eversewn Jasmine - see the triple zigzag in the circle?
Here's why this stitch is so helpful to us: less tunneling, less waving, and more stretch. Let's explore that!
Tunneling is what happens when a zigzag stitch draws up in a fold, creating a ridge (or "tunnel") in the center of the stitch line. The triple zigzag doesn't do that!
Check out the orange sample below with seam allowances pressed open - the seam allowance on the left is finished with a traditional zigzag, while the one on the right is finished with the triple. Generally the triple gives you a smoother, flatter finish.
On a sturdy fabric, this is less noticeable, but the difference becomes more apparent on a delicate fabric. The same two edge finishes were applied to the gauzy white fabric - regular zigzag on the left, triple on the right.
Can you see how the regular zigzag crumples the fabric's edge? In this case, the triple is the best choice!
Triple zigzag is also a great choice for hemming knits! If you've experienced waving or "potato chip edge" while hemming knits, try the triple zigzag for a nice flat finish!
Plus, this stitch has way more stretch to it than the regular zigzag, making it perfect for tight hems, like at the bottoms of snug leggings. You won't pop a stitch out when you stretch that hem!
Read all our previous Friday Fun Facts here at our blog!
I used it for applique mittens on the front of a child’s jacket.
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