I've woven a long warp for napkins, each napkin with a couple pics of plain weave between where I will cut them apart. Before doing so, I need to finish what will be the raw edge on either side of the plain weave pics between napkins. I don't have a serger, everything I read says to just zigzag stitch on either side of the plain weave then cut them apart. The problem is that I have been practicing the zigzag on some extra fabric I wove on the end of the warp and am not having any success. The sewing machine needle keeps pulling threads either from the warp or the weft, sometimes pulling the woven thread right down into the bobbin compartment. When it pulls on a thread it distorts the shape of the fabric. I've tried adjusting the stitch length, stitch width and thread tension which has helped a bit, but I can't get any combination that will stitch smoothly without catching woven threads and pulling on them. I'm afraid to try the actual stitching on the napkin edges until I can get it working nicely on the excess fabric. Any suggestions???

Try new needle

I've found using straight stitch works better. I'm also considering next time using a quilting foot which has a spring and allows a bit of give on thicker fabrics - is that an option for you - I'm a quilter too so have the tools available...

I've found using straight stitch works better. I'm also considering next time using a quilting foot which has a spring and allows a bit of give on thicker fabrics - is that an option for you - I'm a quilter too so have the tools available...

Thanks for the quick suggestions! I switched to a new (finer) needle and a straight stitch and it's working much better now. I think the straight stitch will hold just fine. I'm not a quilter (nor much of a sewer for that matter) so only have the basic machine.