I am having trouble with keeping my fabric feeding in straight. I bought a 1/4 foot thinking it was just me being a bad sewer but when I am watching the fabric and trying to guide it under the needle it keeps moving out to the left. I just cleaned my machine and checked the feed dogs any ideas why my fabric likes to run away sideways from the needle?

possibly b/c the weight of the fabric is pulling it that way if you are sewing large pieces together. Just a guess...

Do you have a presure adjustment for your presser foot. Even some of the older machines have a threaded adjustment at the top to adjust. Sometimes if there is not enough pressure it will go off in a direction. My newer machine has a recommended pressure of 4 , the older its just guess work tightening the threaded/screw type adjuster.

If it is because it is a large pieces try to have something to catch the fabric on the left like a table. I use a childs card table to catch mine a lot. It is really too low, but keeps the fabric or quilt from pulling to the left as much.
D

I had the same problem with my Janome until I figured out that if I lifted the fabric to the height of the machine bed to feed, it fed straighter. I then added the extension table and that takes care of the problem without me having to lift the fabric with one of my hands.

I posted this same question a while back:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-115221-1.htm

I have automatic tension on my Babylock. I noticed also with the 1/4" foot with the guide that it seamed like the feeddogs were pushing the fabric to the left. Very wonky lines!

I was sewing 2 1/2" strips together and even with gently
holding the fabric straight behind the machine it still pushed the fabric to the left.

I just use the regular sewing foot and take my time and make sure I have an accurate 1/4" seam and evenly guide the fabric through.

Some feed dogs are made to use a foot the size of the all purpose foot.
When a smaller foot is used, like a 1/4" foot, the fabric is pulled to the side, because not all of the feed dog is covered by the foot itself :wink:

I am not sure what you would do to correct this, if this is what the problem is with your machine.
I hope this is not the case :D:D:D

Guess why so many quilters like Featherweights? Most of our new fancy machines that do any side-to-side stitches also have a tendance to drift to the left on a long straight seam.
Featherweights don't do zigzag, so they also usually don't drift.

peacebypiece. thank you for your comment on fabrics fish tailing to the left. I have been having this problem on 2 different Baby Lock machines bought 2005 & 2007. I just put up an old straight stitch Singer Model 99K. Did this after being nearly sick at poor 1/4 inch seams in a wedding quilt for our grand daughter. You are right! the the old Singer is sewing a "straight seam" I just did not understand why I could no longer sew straight seems like I did in the 50"s. Opps tells my age nearly. I 'am just getting serious about quilting & leaving all other sewing behind.

This is the only issue I have with my Baby Lock (and I thought it was just me). Glad you posted this topic.