When I first heard the term “satin stitch,” I honestly thought it had something to do with sewing on satin fabric. 😅
(Spoiler: it doesn’t!)
I was trying to make a cute little patch for a tote bag, and every tutorial kept saying, “Use a satin stitch for a clean, polished edge!”
But when I sat down at my sewing machine, I had no idea which setting to pick or even what a satin stitch looked like. So, I did what any slightly desperate beginner would do — grabbed a bunch of scrap fabric. Pressed every button I could find and hoped for the best.
After a few wonky, bunched-up disasters,I finally figured it out:
Satin Stitch
The satin stitch sewing is a super-tight version of the zigzag stitch. It’s smooth, dense, and transforms your project. It gives raw edges that neat, professional finish you always see in store-bought stuff.
And honestly? Once you learn how to do it. You won’t stop doing it.
Table of Contents
What Is A Sewing Machine Satin Stitch?
So after all that trial and error, I finally learned:
A satin stitch on a sewing machine is basically a very tight, narrow zigzag stitch. It’s made by setting the stitch length super short so that the zigzag stitches are packed closely together. Almost touching, which creates a smooth, shiny, satin-like look across the fabric. That’s why some people also call it a damask stitch because it completely covers the fabric.
You’ll usually see satin stitches used for appliqué edges, lettering, monograms, or whenever you want a super-polished, decorative finish. This stitch can also be used as a quilting stitch on the sewing machine.
The best part?
Once you get the settings right, the machine does all the magic — you just guide the fabric and admire the glow-up.
Can You Do Satin Stitch On A Sewing Machine?
Honestly, satin stitch was something only fancy embroidery machines could pull off. 😅
But guess what? Yes, you can totally do a satin stitch on a regular sewing machine.
All you really need is a zigzag stitch setting, a special satin stitch foot, and a little patience.
But wait!
You can definitely do it with any sewing machine, but not every sewing machine can create a perfect satin stitch.
Something I discovered while browsing Quiltboard Forums, SewingDiscussions, and even Reddit threads.
‘While many machines can mimic their look, the quality can really vary. Machines with straight needle movement usually produce a more consistent and professional-looking satin stitch.’
But that won’t give me the best-looking satin stitch.
What Is The Best Sewing Machine Stitch For Satin?
Did you think I would leave with the twist that all sewing machines can’t provide the best result?
No, I am not that cruel. This stitch isn’t as simple as a running stitch, so it needs a special machine. Here are a few machines that actually do the stitch beautifully,
- Satin Stitch Brother Sewing Machine
- Satin Stitch On Janome Sewing Machine
- Satin Stitch On Singer Sewing Machine
Satin Stitch Sewing Machine Symbol
I kept staring at the panel of my sewing machine, as if it were some kind of alien language. 👽Seriously, which one of these tiny icons was for satin stitch??
The satin stitch symbol is way closer together than the normal zigzag stitch symbol.
Depending on your machine brand,
It may also be labeled under “decorative stitches” or have an embroidery-like icon next to it. Some machines even have multiple satin stitch designs, such as straight, wavy, or floral.
So if you’re hunting for it:
Look for the tightest, chunkiest zigzag symbol you can find on your stitch chart!
What Setting On Sewing Machine For Satin?
Ok, so spotted the symbol & all, now it’s time to set the machine up right. I thought it was going to be super complicated. But honestly, it’s just a matter of getting the 2 main settings right:
- Stitch width
- Stitch length.
Here’s what worked for me:
- Stitch Width: I cranked it pretty wide, around 4 to 5 mm.
(You want that needle to swing far side to side to create a wide, filled-in line.) - Stitch Length: I dropped it way down, to around 0.3 -0.5 mm.
(Basically, you want the stitches to be so close together they touch and form a “solid” look.)
But if there is a stitch in a specific area, then here’s a glance at what you need to do.
Always test on a scrap first! Different fabrics behave differently — some like tighter stitches, while others prefer them a little looser so they don’t pucker.
How To Do Satin Stitch On A Sewing Machine?
After I understand everything. It’s time to stitch. So to do satin stitch sewing machine, you need to follow five steps,
Choose the Right Stitch
First, you need to select your stitch. If your machine has a specific satin stitch symbol (looks like a dense zigzag), choose that. If not, select a regular zigzag stitch.
On my machine, I picked Stitch 2 (basic zigzag). But some machines have “decorative” stitches that also work. For classic satin stitching, a simple zigzag with adjustments will do the trick!
Set the Stitch Width
Now adjust your stitch width. This controls the width of your zigzag.
How to decide the width:
- Narrower Width (1–2 mm): Best for small details like lingerie seams, bar tacks, or tiny appliqué.
- Wider Width (up to 4–5 mm): Better for bold decorative lines, thick appliqué outlines, or buttonholes.
For this example, I set the width to 2 mm.
Tip: Think about what your project needs — delicate = narrow, bold = wide.
Set the Stitch Length
Then, I adjust the stitch length. This controls how close together your stitches are.
For satin stitch,
You need the stitches to be extremely close together, like a lockstitch. Touching each other, but still letting the fabric move under the needle.
So, I set the length to about 0.3 mm.
Here’s what happens with different lengths:
- Too short (0 or nearly 0 mm): The Fabric won’t feed properly, your machine stitches in one spot, builds up thread, and can jam.
- Too long (above 0.5 mm): The stitch will start looking like a regular open zigzag instead of a smooth satin finish.
So I always keep it at 0.3 mm in length. Cause it looked tight and perfect. The width stayed at 2 mm, which worked well for my small appliqué sample.
So the main Goal is a tight, solid-looking line of stitching, no gaps!
Place The Fabric Under The Pressure Foot
Relax your hands and let the machine do the feeding. Don’t push the fabric. Don’t pull the fabric. Just let the machine do its thing.
Pushing or pulling will stretch your stitches unevenly and mess up your beautiful satin finish. Instead, guide the fabric gently, keeping it just lightly straight.
End The Stitch With Backstitch
At the beginning and end of your stitching, secure the thread:
- For heavy-use projects (like clothes): do a few tiny backstitches.
- For pretty finishes (like applique): pull the thread tails to the back with a needle and tie off neatly.
Bonus Tip:
Tying off threads gives a cleaner, more invisible finish if you’re working on a decorative project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What needle do you use for satin stitch?
For a satin stitch, it’s best to use a sharp or embroidery needle, typically size 75/11 or 80/12. These needles create smooth, tight stitches without damaging delicate fabrics. For thicker materials or dense applique, use a larger 90/14 embroidery needle. Always use a fresh needle to keep your satin stitches crisp and clean!
What is the best presser foot for satin stitch?
The best presser foot for satin stitch is a satin stitch foot, also called an open-toe or applique foot. This foot has a groove underneath to let dense stitches pass easily and an open front for better visibility. If you don’t have one, a zigzag foot can also work, but you’ll need to stitch more carefully to achieve the same smooth finish.
How to stop satin from puckering?
To prevent puckering when doing a satin stitch, always use a stabilizer under your fabric and adjust your thread tension slightly if needed. Choosing the right sharp needle and a fine thread also makes a big difference.
Warp Up
And there, your sewing machine satin stitch isn’t complicated once you know the right steps!
The key is to take your time, test on scraps, and fine-tune your settings depending on your fabric and thread. Every project might need a little tweak here and there, but once you get the feel for it, satin stitching becomes second nature.
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