Sew Perfect Topstitching: 8 Things You Need To Know!

[@Thelaststitch]

Several of you asked about the link for my Sewing Jeans book (it's out now). Here it is www.thelaststitch.com/sewing-jeans-book 😊

[@momplayswow]

Hey Johanna! Does the book include an actual jeans pattern or instructions on how to draw one? Or do you need to have a pattern from before, that you can alternate according to instructions?

[@jamestateIII]

Get OUT!....4:14...that IS the definition of improvising....stacking bobbins....I would've NEVER thoughtof it.....you just saved me money...im trying that tomorrow...maybe tonight. I love it.

[@SHAREBeth]

This is so helpful. Thank you.

[@mariagalloso4080]

Love the doble thread hack

[@MomShots]

Thank you!!! Right off the bat you mentioned the solution I needed. I am using the same Machine and my tension was being horrible. I cranked the top tension up to a 9 and it worked. Yay! Thank you!

[@solarwinds-]

Thank you for the tips, just finished my first jeans jacket on 14 weight denim. I gave it to my mom for her 90th birthday. She loved it. Looks fantastic on a small frame no matter your age.

[@denisedavies9023]

Thanks you solved quite a few problems I have come across

[@raphael636]

These tips are amazing! The top tension and the lighter bobbin thread has just SAVED MY LIFE! It would have never occurred to me to use a completely different thread in the bobbin! Thank you thank you

[@bmack1778]

Very good tips. You have really given invaluable information for not only the new sewist but the the more experienced. My additional tip: I have found that "patience" is a necessity when doing top stitching. It is so easy to try to rush at this point but going slowly and being mindful results in a better product. I have learned to take my time and enjoy the process along the way. Much happier results. Thanks for the info.

[@Thelaststitch]

💯 Patience is soo important and can sometimes be lost in all the tricks and hacks, when a lot of our struggles could be fixed with just being mindful about how we sew!

[@diananorton796]

Thank you so much for a straight-to-the-point and very intelligent presentation.

[@davidanddavidstrading]

Those are great looking jeans! I would love to make a pair as well as you can. I will watch more videos!

[@bkukubo]

Great tips! You can also use a folded piece of paper to the same thickness of the fabric if you don't have a hump jumper.

[@judykski4916]

This came in very handy when I was trying to figure out why I was getting loops from my topstitching thread. I'd tried some changes in the thread tensions for the needle AND the bobbin, but just couldn't figure out the right combination. Your video helped me immediately. Thanks SOOO much!!!!

[@lucilledaub5991]

Great tips for sewing. I Love your videos. God Bless You

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear 😊

[@blumenaue7590]

Sewing a long time. Learned plenty. Thanks!

[@libbybowles]

Love these tips. I’m looking forward to trying them all. And I agree, the multiple threads work just fine. On my first pair of jeans I wanted to have lime green top stitching! 😳 I was too impatient to go looking for top stitching thread in my preferred color so I wound multiple bobbins, just like you showed. The result was really fun.

[@vivlee3840]

That's really great.. I must try this!

[@nitawilkinson]

Thank you for taking the time to make and post this video. Very helpful ¥

[@jenl2530]

Very helpful - especially on tension. Thanks!

[@Thelaststitch]

Yes the tension is a biggie, that I don't think is always mentioned when we talk about sewing with thick thread

[@DiannaAtherton]

Priceless information. Thank you so much. ❤ Also I use a wooden button to jump seams. It works. Happy Sewing

[@avrilcrisp5725]

Ive just ordered my book and looking forward to reading it alongside the videos.

[@TheCynedd]

I loved your idea of multiple threads in a topstitch needle! After watching your video I immediately had to try it and the results were great! Tip #5 is spot-on; if you want to play with bobbin tension invest in a bobbin case for specialty threads and you will always have your regular one to work with for regular sewing.

[@Thelaststitch]

Yay, that's awesome to hear that it worked for you too! And yes that extra bobbin is gold, I learned that the hard way by messing with my original bobbin before I saw the light 😊

[@paulagilsrud4566]

Thank you so much for this video. I was up late the other night trying to finish a project I was making for my 3 year old grandson. I tried several times to topstitch with topstitching thread. TI have a newer Bernina and have not topstitched with it before. The thread kept getting knotted up under the plate. It was so frustrating. After watching your video I was free to sew again!!

[@Cristaynful]

Thanks for this truly amazing tutorial.

[@deanna8154]

Excellent tips! Thank you!

[@maggiedamp1134]

This was very helpful, especially the bit about back stitching. Thank you !

[@mariae.villegas3933]

Really, thank you so much. You explain amazing.

[@lindabridges445]

THANKS for the tips . I am also going to try multiple colors and more than 2 threads. I have lots of thread I need to use up.

[@joannasullivan4655]

Great video and tips. Thank you

[@RaymondMonk-f9d]

The leveler was a game changer for me.. low cost and it lives in the top thread tray on my machine for easy access.

[@jacquiehonnor4989]

This is brilliant information thank you. I didn’t know you could buy top stitch needles and use 3 threads of normal thread for top stitching 😘

[@jamestateIII]

I just subscribed....i dig your teaching. I love yhe accent....you are somewhere in the UK.....i think.

[@deanalovessewn6117]

Hi Johanna!! Wonderful vlog.. Thank you.... 💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you 🙂

[@carlabinnix8802]

Thanks so much for sharing your Wealth of experience with us! I bought both of your books and they are extremely helpful and the graphics are awesome!

[@heikehoyer1284]

Many thanks for the tips!!! Did you know there are " double eye" topstich needles from Schmetz, they make it possible to use 2 Threads in different colours. Looking forward to your Book!

[@Thelaststitch]

I didn't know that, what a cool tool! I will track those down and try them out, thanks for the tip 👍

[@vivlee3840]

I've got a couple of those and been a bit nervous to use them, but will have to have a go now.

[@vivlee3840]

I love every one of your videos, you explain things so well and honestly. 💐

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you so much Viv, that means a lot to hear!

[@shirleyscott6997]

Great video and very informative for myself as a beginner. Thank you so much for posting. X

[@Thelaststitch]

That's awesome to hear! I always try to keep the beginner perspective in mind when I make my videos, thinking about the things I wished someone had told me as a beginner sewist 😊

[@No_Show94]

The info I was looking for 👍🏽 thanks

[@Untitled-r8s]

Your videos are amazingly helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@ruthirwin8222]

Love ur videos..i think ive got ur book for Christmas..im going to wash the denim just in case lol..happy christmas and have a great 2021

[@nabilhelmy7007]

Very inspiring. Thanks.

[@joygreig7768]

Enjoyed your most informative video. I’d like to add an additional tip: Always start a large top stitching project with a full bobbin.

[@Thelaststitch]

That's such a great tip! I forgot that myself last week and was so annoyed when I ran out of bobbin thread in the midst of a long topstitching sequence!

[@charlinegiroud9872]

now, I want to try topstitching with 4 threads haha. Gutterman has made a denim thread for topstitching which is way easier to use than the thick topstitch thread, and there is no need for a special topstitch needle. My tip for securing topstitches without doing back stitches, I start and finish the stitch with 10cm extra thread, I pull the thread of the bobbin so that the top thread makes a loop on the wrong side, I pull it and make a knot by hand with both threads

[@Thelaststitch]

Haha, please try and report back 😀 And the pull and knot of the thread is a great tip too, I use that sometimes as well, depending on the project!

[@virginiaomalley]

I do that too. Especially when topstitching and something goes wrong and I have to stop halfway through, just pull the thread to the other side, tie a knot, and continue topstitching where I left off.

[@myralorraine]

Great tips Johanna! 🤗 I have a question for topstitching, a lot of times you’re putting your jeans together at the same time as having to topstitch… Do you have two machines set up one for normal stitching of your jeans and another for top stitching?

[@Balkongodlaren]

I keep a vintage straight stitch only machine, slightly geared down and adjusted for heavier thread, for top stitching and thicker materials. It's of course mainly a pretext to own one more sewing machine though...

[@vivlee3840]

Haha, totally get that! 😂

[@Truthteller1985]

Hi there, just want to start by thanking you for the tips. Is it possible to share with me your Sewing machine specifications if it's ok with you. Many thanks

[@shaidabegum.]

If you don't have a jean-a-ma jig you can use paper folded as many times to the height you need.

[@Sandrab769]

I needed to hear #7

[@veronicaisaacosawere4190]

Thank you so much

[@johannaholmgren8088]

Great idea about stacking bobbins etc but i have a Brother machine and it is extremely persnickety. It will not sew, it just gets jammed. Its really annoying, and i regret this purchase but it is what it is. So i do appreciate the suggestions about topstitch needles etc.

[@twelve3250]

Thank you so much!!!

[@carolynfowler3133]

Thank you!!!

[@janine165]

Thank you so much for that information Johanna. Do you use that edge guide presser foot (No. 5 ) to edge stitching a collar stand? I have a problem getting a nice edge stitch curve on the front of a collar stand and am looking for something to improve that.

[@maddyzam3]

Hey, is the thread you're using thicker or thinner than Gutermann's Top Stitch thread do you know? Thanks :)

[@carolsilvester2447]

Love your tips. I have the same Bernina 1230 but mines around 30 years old. Could you include a link to your book please?

[@Thelaststitch]

Here it is www.thelaststitch.com/sewing-jeans-book/ 😊

[@paulavieyra4821]

Hi What thread do you use to sew the jean together ?

[@vim1471]

I have a pair of cotton chinos that i need to taper. On the outside seams, there is top stitch which am not a fan of. Can i totally remove the top stitch or will that weaken the seams ?

[@bluebannany]

Where is the recommendation for stitch length and settings for stitch type please

[@armandvanzyl1135]

What time of thread do you use on denim

[@Johnsoncrna]

Newbie question: is topstitching supposed to be a single stitch with thicker thread? I have often used the two-stitches-forward-one-stitch-backward stitch in my machine to achieve that heavier look. These tips are very helpful because I am making a denim shirt dress and the topstitching is giving me fits. Thank you!

[@Thelaststitch]

Heavier needle thread is generally a better option than the 3-step straight stitch if you want the thick look, or use two strands of regular thread 👍

[@princesaandrea74]

Ciao, ci sarà una versione del tuo libro in italiano o Spagnolo ??? ,grazie .

[@poocky100]

The crafty Gemini said to lower tension because it’ll break the threads instead. But you’re saying one has to increase the tension with thicker thread just like my repair/service fellow said.

[@jettehansen8105]

I need a link to preorder your coming jeans book, please 🙏🙏

[@Thelaststitch]

Here you go www.thelaststitch.com/sewing-jeans-book 😊

[@pattyknoll7428]

If you don't have a "hump jumper" use an empty needle case. It works just like the store bought model and you have them laying around your sewing room.

[@Paulasilva-ju5hl]

Subtitles please. thanks Obrigada

[@kyewtee]

The jean-a-ma-jig is worth its weight in gold, helps so much. If you cannot find it in stores there are 3D printed versions: www.thingiverse.com/thing:1816985, I have a few printed out at different heights for different weights fabric.

[@Thelaststitch]

Awesome tip, having different thickness is so helpful, I have one from Bernina which are three separate pieces that one can stack which is also very helpful

[@bixnash1]

Ooooooooh I've been using the heavy thread in the bobbin too. 🙄 no wonder it didn't work

[@splashluvallover]

I ordered my hump jumper from Amazon for less than $10

[@Thelaststitch]

That's awesome, such a worthwhile investment 👍

[@BADRUBULDURA]

☺☺☺