Would a presser foot with a 1/4 inch side help me stay lined up on seam?
 

Our 201K Singer has a rather narrow presser foot, and so far I have been using a small piece of masking tape stuck to the surface 1/4 inch away from the needle to help guide me as I sew my seams. Unfortunately, my lighting sometimes causes a shadow at the spot all the action is taking place. I'm wondering if there's such a thing as a presser foot with an edge 1/4 inch from the needle that would work better than my current approach. Or am I destined to blunder blindly as my mind plays guessing games "on the fly" about whether I'm sewing along a shadow line or along a masking tape marker? Thanks all. Don

Yes, Don, there a great little foot that will help you ... AND allow you to get that tape off the bed of your machine. It's called a Little Foot (clever, huh?) and you can order it on the web. I believe the 201 is a low shank machine (but you should check to be sure), so this one should work.

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/ac...foot-lf101.php

I have one for my 201 and another for my 15-91 and they work great! The markings are easy for my aging eyes to see, and it's marked front & back as well as to the side. You may be able to find it locally -- I got mine at a local sew & vac store. No more blundering blindly as your mind plays guessing games "on the fly" -- sounds good to me!

Hope this helps!

I've used both kinds and find my seams are more consistent with the one that has the metal guide on the edge.

me too, katier. my kenmore model has a 'fence' on the edge for a consistent seam as long as i don't 'shove' the fabric up against it. i've also used that foot on my brother 6000i. both are low shank machines.

Until you get your foot, put a couple of layers of masking tape down, so that there's a ridge formed to guide the fabric. Much easier to feel and guide rather than by eye. A recent tip was to use a 3M command strip that you would use with those removeable hooks. It comes off with no residue when you remove it and is thick enough to make a nice guide.

I wouldn't be able to quilt without my 1/4" foot. Before I got that foot, I used the edge of my presser foot, but it was more than 1/4" and changed the size of my quilt. My foot has a metal guide and works beautifully. I also can change the position of my needle (just a little or it will hit the foot and break the needle) and that makes a scant 1/4". Looking forward to pictures of your project.
Sue

Also can use a short stack of post-it-notes! stick down so the high edge is 1/4" away from needle and can be removed easily. I leave the blue painter tape down and then can re position the note pad quickly.

There was a thread recently about using a Command strip. To answer your question, I purchased the 1/4 foot similar to this one, but I still had seams that weren't perfect.
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Low-Shan...e-SCF60615.htm
Then one of my vintage machines came with a tool like this, only solid where this on is open. It works for me and is easy to pop out of the way when I want other than 1/4" seam.
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Seam-Gau...l-SCF55415.htm
I wish the metal part that guides the fabric was a little longer, but it works well. You can also adjust it to a scant 1/4 easily by loosening the screw and sliding the bar.
I've been quilting two years now and can't sew a straight 1/4" seam without my guide.

I also tried a magnetic one from my LQS. Ah, the 301 is aluminum so that was a no-go and it could be moved slightly over time on the 15.

I was pretty good at 1/4 inch seams without the foot... but bought one .... life changing.. Because I am not so focused on the action at the foot , I can concenrate on the two fabrics as the feed through. I love it.. I can sew faster and more accurate. A big plus is my eyes are not as tired as quickly.

Love mine! Wouldn't want to quilt without it!

I use a rubber band wrapped around my machine.

Try sewingpartsonline. I just bought two for my machines, they are great and wonderful.

I have been using the command tape and it works great for me.

My most accurate seams were from the foot with the guide on the side.

My new Juki didn't have this foot so I ordered a set of them on Ebay.. I also got some other feet at www.GoldStarTool.com I bought a different foot from them. Both places I was able to get great deals.... Having said that, I just ordered them early last week and neither have showed up yet.... My Gold Star package will be delivered on Monday according to the tracking...

I have a 1/4 inch foot with my machine and it real helps me a lot.

I have the Janome 7700 and there are 3 1/4" feet that can be used. If not using the Acufeed, there are two feet to use. One with a metal guide and a clear plastic one you can use with a guide or not. If using the Acufeed, the 1/4" has a metal guide on it. When using the feet with the guide, I have to be sure not to shove the fabric up againt the guide or I don't get a true 1/4" seam.

Thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to share thoughts and links. I now have several approaches to try. First, I think I'll root through all the accessories that have come with the many vintage machines Miss Penny and I own to see if perhaps there's a fence or factory wide foot that will fit my machine. Second, I'll try the thicker tape approach and third, if there's no other option I'll wrench open my billfold, blow out the dust and cobwebs and spend some money to get a new wider foot as described. Unfortunately for me though, this is a holiday week and some businesses are closing up. This is a wonderful group of folks. Don

If you do end up buying one, check to see if Gold Star has it. They're $5 with no shipping charge. https://goldstartool.com/search.php?...keep_https=yes

I have a baby lock and the first thing I bought for it was the 1/4 inch foot with the metal guide. Was the best money every spent in my sewing room other than my machine.

Yesterday I was at the Bernina dealer, and saw the 1/4 inch foot with the "fence" on it to sew at 1/4 inch. I didn't know that was available. I'm wondering if I could move my needle one step to the right to sew a scant 1/4 inch. Next time I go there, I will look into that more.

I also have the fabric fence that screws onto my old Singer that works well.

And I bought one of those magnet things. It won't work for scant 1/4 inch on my Bernina, because the feed dogs are in the way. Perhaps I could move the needle.

On my Singer, the magnet hangs on tight, but if I bump it hard accidentally, it moves.

Probably. It certainly helps me.

i use the heavy duty magnet i got at JoAnn;s I have an old singer that is all metal, so it stays pretty good where i put it. Yes, move the needle if you wanted a scant 1/4" I notice that teacher supply book stores will have heavy duty magnets, too.