<p>This is indeed a matter of preferences, although some generic things can be said about it.<br></p>

<ul>
<li>The wider the stitch, the stretchier the result. Imagine a zig zag stitch of width 0 (which is actually a straight stitch of course), and the result will be as stretchy as the sewing thread.<br></li>
<li>As for the length, my advice is to make them not too small in order to avoid wobbly edges. Something else may help here: a wobbly edge is the result of the fabric being stretched while you're sewing. You could stick some tape on top of the fabric and sew right next to it. <br><strong>Beware: don't use duct tape or something with a very strong glue, as you want to remove the tape afterwards without damaging your project!</strong></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-28T18:45:17.320Z
2016-06-28T18:45:17.320Z
Ji Ugug
<p>I have a standard sewing machine, not a serger, so I use a zig-zag stitch when sewing knits. Typically, I just use trial and error on scrap pieces to figure out a good size of zig-zag stitch for however stretchy I want the seams to be. This can take a few tries, and I'm never quite sure if I'm doing it "right".</p>

<ul>
<li>Is there a better way? Are there any standard sizes or rules of thumb?</li>
<li>When would I want a wider or narrower stitch? What about longer vs. shorter?</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-09T21:51:13.453Z
I forgot to say, stretch comes from 2 things in the "matrix" of sewing. Stretchy thread, and stretchy fabric.  Those two items are your answer. Cotton thread, with cotton fabric, will not stretch.  A double knit fabric and a specific acrylic thread will give you a lot of stretch.  Things to ponder.  JLH
Joel Huebner
<sewing>
How do I determine what size zig-zag stitch to use?
user812786
# How do I determine what size zig-zag stitch to use?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-01)

I have a standard sewing machine, not a serger, so I use a zig-zag stitch when sewing knits. Typically, I just use trial and error on scrap pieces to figure out a good size of zig-zag stitch for however stretchy I want the seams to be. This can take a few tries, and I'm never quite sure if I'm doing it "right".

* Is there a better way? Are there any standard sizes or rules of thumb?
* When would I want a wider or narrower stitch? What about longer vs. shorter?

**Tags:** sewing

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I forgot to say, stretch comes from 2 things in the "matrix" of sewing. Stretchy thread, and stretchy fabric.  Those two items are your answer. Cotton thread, with cotton fabric, will not stretch.  A double knit fabric and a specific acrylic thread will give you a lot of stretch.  Things to ponder.  JLH  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-06-28. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

This is indeed a matter of preferences, although some generic things can be said about it.

* The wider the stitch, the stretchier the result. Imagine a zig zag stitch of width 0 (which is actually a straight stitch of course), and the result will be as stretchy as the sewing thread.
* As for the length, my advice is to make them not too small in order to avoid wobbly edges. Something else may help here: a wobbly edge is the result of the fabric being stretched while you're sewing. You could stick some tape on top of the fabric and sew right next to it.   
  **Beware: don't use duct tape or something with a very strong glue, as you want to remove the tape afterwards without damaging your project!**


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