Use a Twin Needle to Make a Reusable "Corrugated" Coffee Cup Sleeve
August 21st, 2008 in sewing, patterns & designs, quilting, home decorating
Mary Ray, contributor
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Keep your coffee hot and your hands cool with this reusable "corrugated" sleeve.
Photo: Mary Ray
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DIGGI think the twin needle is just the best. I’ve always been a fan of plain straight stitching, and this needle just doubles the impact. I basically use mine to add detail to a garment and to enhance a quilting design. But they’re used a lot for heirloom sewing as well. (If you want to learn more about this, check out Martha Pullen's website. She wrote the book on heirloom sewing.) And they’re great for hemming knits.
A twin needle is two needles on one shank. They come in a range of sizes and widths. You’ll find two numbers on the package. The first refers to the distance between needles and the second indicates the size of the needle. They’re available in a stretch version as well, and there are triple needles (called drilling needles), too. But before you run out and get one, be sure your machine has zigzag capabilities and a throat plate that will accommodate both needles. You also need two spool pins. You can wind a bobbin for the second thread source, but it needs to sit on its own pin for proper tension. Thread each needle separately to prevent the threads from twisting as you sew.
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Twin and triple needles have one shank with multiple eyes. |
I like using the narrow-width double needle to add details. It can turn an otherwise plain fabric into something special and bolster the look of a simple grid-quilted bag.
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Twin-needle stitching adds subtle detail. |
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Rows of twin-needle stitches highlight the back of my simple little jacket. |
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I used a twin needle to quilt this purse—inspired by some pistachio-studded baklava. |
For the cup sleeve we're going to make here, I wanted a raised look, so I used a 3.0mm-width needle. The fabric is cotton stretch twill. (Fabrics will react differently and may require some adjustment to the machine’s tension, so always do a test sample). I chose to retain the “corrugated” look and inserted cording through the ridges, which I’ll show you in a moment. For a flatter, striped look, simply press the ridges flat.
To make the cup sleeve:
Using a paper cup as your pattern guide, cut two sections from the fabric with seam allowances on all four sides plus an extra 1/2-inch extension at the ends.
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Cut two sections of fabric using a paper cup as a guide. |
Sew even rows of twin-needle stitching the length of one section.
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Sew rows of stitches across one section. |
Thread a large-eyed tapestry needle with cording and lace it through the stitches on the back.
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Feed cording under the stitches on the wrong side. |
Sew a narrow strip of hook-and-loop tape to the right side of the facing section.
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On the right side of one end of the facing, sew a narrow strip of hook-and-loop tape. |
Place the sections right sides together and sew, leaving one short end open.
Turn to the right side. Press in the seam allowances on the open end and stitch together.
Sew the remaining piece of hook-and-loop tape in place.
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Sew the other strip of hook-and-loop tape to the right side on the opposite end of the sleeve. |
After you make this project, show off your work to other members!
Post your project in the gallery
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Comments (10)
As long as ANY machine can do a zigzag, you can use a twin needle, I have 4 differen brands of sewing machines and I use the Univeral needles on them and they all work fine.
The only controlling factor would be the width of the throat plate. Take the plate with you when you shop to verify the width will fit the size of the needle you want. But I think
they all would be OK. Good Luck Posted: 4:24 pm on August 30th
You need a zigzag capable machine so that the hole in the throat plate will accommodate both needles. If your machine only sews straight, chances are the throat plate has a single small needle hole.
You sew with a straight stitch, but since there is only one thread in the bobbin, it needs to go back and forth between the two top threads, forming a zag-zag looking stitch underneath.
To thread the machine, first thread one needle -- as you normally would. Then thread the other, following the same pattern. If possible, place one thread on one side of the tension disc and the other thread on the other side.
Hope this helps!
Oh, I like the comment about the woolly nylon thread. You can also just press after you've stitched and that will flatten out the channel between the rows of stitches. Posted: 5:24 pm on August 25th