No specific preparation is required for this project; however, you may find using a fabric chalk marking pen (or equivalent) to create a general “road map” for where you want specific flower embellishments can be helpful. Practice stitching is also highly recommended. By testing your stitches ahead of time, you can test a wide variety of stitch settings to ensure you achieve the desired results. Practice stitching should be done on a similar weight and type of fabric to that of the actual garment being used. If variations of thread types and weights are being introduced, testing each thread can also be useful.

For lighter weight garments, or garments that include stretch, stabilization may be required. A medium to heavy weight tear-away can be used, but for something that will be frequently laundered, a cutaway stabilizer may produce the best results. The following Baby Lock Stabilizers are recommended:

·       Cutaway – No-Show Mesh Fusible Stabilizer 1.5 oz Medium White – BLC304 

·       Cutaway – No-Show Mesh 1.5 oz Medium White – BLC301

·       Cutaway – Cut Away Soft Stabilizer – 2.0 oz Medium White – BLC201

·       Cutaway – Cut Away Soft Stabilizer – 2.5 oz Heavy White – BLC203

·       Tear-Away – Tear-Away Firm Stabilizer – 1.5 oz Medium Weight – BLT103

·       Tear-Away – Tear-Away Soft Stabilizer – 1.8 oz Heavy Weight – BLT104

This project really is a free form type of stitching which allows you to unleash your creativity to make something that appeals to you. Instead of providing a step-by-step procedure for duplicating the jacket/coat in the images provided, these instructions will walk you through the process of setting up the tapering stitches and how each of the various flowers/leaves shown in the jacket/coat were created. Use these steps as inspiration for creating your own masterpiece!

The following steps are used to set up a basic tapered stitch:

** NOTE – All Screen Images in downloadable instructions are from the Baby Lock Anthem. If using a different Baby Lock machine, refer to the Reference and Instruction Guide for that machine for information on setting up the tapering stitches. 

1. From the Main Sewing Selection Page, Select Category “T” or Tapering Category
2. A total of 20 different stitches will be shown. Select the stitch appropriate for the design you are creating.
3. In this example, Stitch T-12 has been selected. Select the Tapering Icon from the Stitch Edit Window.
4. The Tapering Window will open. From here you can turn tapering On/Off, select the starting and ending tapering angle and position, and select the method to initiate the end taper.  
5. Touch Select next to Start to open the starting taper options.
6. Select desired starting taper. Select the End tab.
7. Select the desired end taper. IN the sample, a 30 degree center taper has been set for start and end.  Select OK.
8. Select the Ending Mode. See notes below.   

There are two choices for ending type on the Anthem (there is an additional third ending option on machines that include a camera feature).

·       Reverse Stitch – In this mode, the ending taper stitch can be started by selecting the Reverse Stitch Button located on the front of the machine. Once the button has been selected, the ending taper will begin. The length of the ending taper will be determined by the taper angle and orientation.

·       Number of Repetitions – In this mode, the user is able to set the number of repetitions of the selected stitch pattern using the plus/minus icons on screen. An approximate total length measurement is shown on screen (this measurement represents the entire taper stitch, from start of beginning taper to last stitch of the ending taper. This ending mode will execute automatically based on the user’s input.

** Good to know – In the Repetition Mode, the length shown in inches in approximate to the final length that will be stitched due to the conversion of metric to imperial. If a very specific length is desired, it is more precise to work in metric (mm). 

Once the beginning and ending angle and positions have been set and the ending mode has been selected, you are ready to stitch!

The process used to create the various flowers and leaves used on the sample jacket are outlined in the following pages. Exact settings for the various stitches will vary depending on the thread weight/thread types being used, as well as the item on which the stitches are being placed. Because of this, the settings used in the sample are not given (most were left on the default), but the beginning and ending angles and positions are highlighted and the ending mode used is provided. Feel free to experiment and create your own unique style and techniques.

To create a basic leaf, the starting angle is selected as a right facing angle (the angle measurement is a personal choice, but in most cases a 45-degree angle, 30-degree angle, or a 60-degree angle has been used in the sample). The ending angle position is also right facing and should be the same angle measurement as the beginning angle. 

Lower the presser foot and stitch back in the opposite direction. Use the straight edge of the first half of the leaf as a guide when stitching the second half. When the taper is complete, use the thread cutter and raise the presser foot to end the design.  

Start stitching at the starting or ending point of the leaf. Once the ending point angle has finished, the needle will lower into the fabric and the presser foot will raise. Rotate the material by 180 degrees.

Once the stitch parameters have been selected, make sure the Pivot Feature on the machine is turned on. This will keep the needle down in the fabric at the end of the stitch and raise the presser foot, thus allowing the user to freely rotate the fabric under the foot so that the same stitch can be done in the opposite direction (see below). This is not only the foundation of most of the leaves used in the sample, but also of most of the flowers. The ending mode used here was setting a definitive number of repeats to achieve a certain length.

Bonus: Try creating a curved leaf by curving your fabric as it moves under the foot!

Creating a basic petalled flower takes the same concept used in creating a leaf and repeating it multiple times in a radial or half radial pattern. The center of the flower can be created using a tapered stitch or you can take advantage of other decorative stitch patterns or embroidery if that feature is available on your machine. 

 When you layer tapered stitches, you may want to experiment with the density of the stitch to keep the designs light and prevent any “bullet proof” stitching. You can do this by adjusting the stitch length. You can also alter the flower’s appearance by adjusting which taper is used, and even by using the taper on only one end. 

To see what the patterns might look like, open the downloadable instructions HERE.

For other exciting projects like this one, visit our website at www.babylock.com.

©2025 Baby Lock USA. This project may be freely used by individuals for non-commercial purposes. Project instructions may not be sold or distributed without approval from Baby Lock. Baby Lock must be acknowledged as the source of the project instructions through copyright or online link.