Patterns By Jen: February 2025

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 3

Have you joined in on any of the Snippets challenges yet? If not, here’s your chance. This week, we’re dusting off our sewing machines and trying out a stitch—who’s in?

Many of us have machines packed with decorative stitches, but let’s be honest... they can feel a little overwhelming. Maybe you’re not sure how or when to use them, or maybe they’ve just been sitting there, waiting to be explored. Well, today we’re changing that with a quick and simple finish.

Your Challenge:

Choose a stitch and use it to finish an orphan block. No orphan block? No problem. If you just want to practice some finishing stitches, here’s what you’ll need:

A 12 ½” x 12 ½” fabric square (this will act as your top)
A 16” square for the backing
Batting cut to 16” square (optional)

Now, let’s layer everything:

Backing – Place it wrong side up and tape it down.

Batting – Add this next (if you’re using it) and tape it down.

Top fabric or orphan block – Place it right side up and pin, keeping no more than a hand’s width between pins.

Choosing Your Thread

Are you looking for a stitch that blends in, or do you want your stitches to pop?

Tip: If your quilt has multiple colors and you want your stitching to disappear, try a neutral thread like gray or beige. Light pink and light blue also work well.

Let’s Stitch!

Gloves help. Quilting gloves (or even gardening gloves with rubber tips) make guiding the fabric easier.
No fancy equipment needed. I usually use a walking foot for quilting, but in my YouTube video, I used my "J" foot to show it can be done without one. Since we’re using programmed stitches, no free-motion foot is needed!
What if your machine doesn’t have fancy stitches? No worries! Play around with your zig-zag stitch—make the zigs and zags shorter or wider and experiment with different looks. Even basic stitches can add a fun finishing touch.

Once you get comfortable using decorative stitches, you’ll be excited to try them on larger projects.

Don’t forget to share your work

Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group.
Share on Instagram using #Snippets to inspire others.
Not on social media? No problem—email me a picture of your coaster. I’d love to see it.

Take out your orphan block, pick some pretty thread and. . .

Go make something you LOVE!

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