1/4" seams-Newbie's request for help..

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02-02-2009, 06:59 AM

#31

Sally Dolin

Member

Join Date: Jan 2007

Location: Rock Island, IL

Posts: 63

My vote goes to the Guidelines 4 Quilting Prep tool. Looks pretty useless, but will assure you of the correct seam allowance with any foot. It tests the position of the needle with relationship to the foot you have on. You can set the needle or change the foot till you are comfortable that you can control the flow of fabric with those guidelines. Remember that the smaller foot doesn't hold your fabric as steady as a larger foot. I have 1/4" feet for all my machines, but since purchasing the Prep tool. I use the normal sewing foot, make the necessary needle adjustments and have better accuracy.

02-02-2009, 08:16 AM

#32

stonington

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: sebago, me

Posts: 66

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Ah, so it's not just me and I use a Brother as well. For some reason it will "kick" the fabric out from under the foot and I end up sewing right off the edge of the seam. I did see a hint on sewing with strips and it was to let the strip feed over the finger of the opposite hand that is feeding it into the machine. BY lifting the end every so slightly, it seems to feed in better but I still have the problem with it "kicking" the line of stitching out.

I've also used the masking tape as a guide and it worked quite well. I've bought two seem guides and neither seem to do the job. And I'm in Maine as well so maybe our hands are frozen from this horrible winter????

Roberta! That must be it! lol.. I purchased a seam guide at Joanns and it does not work at all because for one thing the foot is beyond the 1/4' and if you have your fabric pinned the pins will hit the guide - a conundrum. I have tried various "feet" and think I have it down pretty well, but the machine does seem to have a mind of it's own sometimes. For extra help I might try the tape. Thanks! Enjoy this one warm (everything is relative isn't it?) day before we go back into the deep freeze.

anne

02-02-2009, 08:20 AM

#33

stonington

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Thread Starter

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: sebago, me

Posts: 66

Quote:

Originally Posted by judee0624

Hi Mainer,
I finally learned that I can adjust my needle position. Amazing! Then I practice the stitching on some extra fabric and measure it to be sure it is 1/4 inch. I have a 1/4 inch foot but measuring first insures accuracy.

Good luck from a former Mainer.

judee

Judee,
Quite a move from ME to CA. I would be willing to send you some of our snow if you are feeling homesick. :) I have played with the needle position too. I think if I had started out by using the edge of the foot as a guilde to begin with at least all of the blocks would be the same size. But I kept trying for that 1/4 inch. The last 2 that I finished are the same! yay!

anne
sebago, me
home of the 4 ft snowbank at the end of the drive.

02-02-2009, 08:26 AM

#34

Quiltntime

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: Florida

Posts: 607

You might want to order your attachments on-line. Sears Kenmore attachments are generic, and they fit my Viking machine. A lot less expensive than Viking attachments. No shipping charge, if you pick up your purchase at your local Sears.

www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02006701000P

02-02-2009, 09:13 AM

#35

quiltingmeme

Member

Join Date: Nov 2008

Posts: 1

Because I mostly hand piece, I still mark all of my seams with a pencil. I make sure I use the same ruler each time, because some will vary a little. And as we all know a little bit adds up to a lot over time. If you only use a machine to piece, a 1/4 inch foot works great. I just go sew slow.

02-06-2009, 03:38 PM

#36

christina bennett

Junior Member

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: Hiding in Maine

Posts: 206

I love all the advice. After many years I still have a hard time sewing a straight line. I have the 1/4 foot,have tried tape and every thing else. I have gone slow,fast and inbetween.
It does matter...but I can't cry over it. Once every thing is together and hand tied you have to look hard to see my problem.
I keep telling myself to sew often,practice makes perfect.
chrissy b

02-08-2009, 03:00 AM

#37

GailG

Super Member

Join Date: May 2008

Location: Louisiana

Posts: 6,764

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Roberta, I'm wondering if the pressure of your presser foot is tight enough. There is an adjustment screw somewhere at the top of your machine that allows you to tighten the pressure. Perhaps you could try tightening a little to see if that will hold your fabric in place better.

02-08-2009, 03:06 AM

#38

GailG

Super Member

Join Date: May 2008

Location: Louisiana

Posts: 6,764

Quote:

Originally Posted by christina bennett

Christina, here's one more suggestion. Someone earlier mentioned "spotting." First go at a comfortable speed for you. Instead of watching where the needle goes up and down, keep your eyes focosed on the EDGE of the fabric that is against the 1/4 inch mark on your machine (or the presser foot or wherever the mark is). I find that if I do this, it allows me to travel a little faster. Also, the hint about holding the fabric up a little with the opposite hand works well.

02-08-2009, 07:10 AM

#39

robbijmorris

Junior Member

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: Amarillo,TX

Posts: 112

That is what I do, too. I use masking tape. I have a roll of that colored 1/4" seam tape you can buy for quilting, so I just figured out where 1/4 " was on my machine, then I put two or three layers of it on the machine. This creates a little bit of a lip I can butt my fabric up against while I sew. It was the best thing I ever did for my quilting! Was trying to post a pic, but my computer doesn't like my camera today! Sorry