dsb38327

When you are machine stitching where do you focus your eyes (when the needle is in motion)?
I suspect there will be different answers to this question because we do things different ways. Having more than one option is important (in my opinion) because one way will work better for some of us and another way will work well for others. If you feel your answer is a 'standard' in quilting please say so. (Like using a 1/4" seam is standard.) Pictures are always appreciated.

I like to use my presser foot for my guide. This gets me in trouble because I tend to forget which part of the presser foot was going to be my marker for seam width on said project. I really like 1/2" seams. They make me feel good and lead me to believe they will not come apart in the wash.
I am converting because I want to do things the way they are intended to be done. 1/4" is the standard in quilting. I am going to train myself to sew a 1/4" seam consistently.
My answer to the post question:
I used the red line (#4) to align my raw edges and set my hands in place to sew.
As the needle goes to work I guided my raw edges against the rubber bumper (#3)
My eyes were focusing on #2 and #3 in sequence and almost at the same time. (#2: can you see the itsy red ink dot I put on the walking foot marking 1/4"?)
My seams are pretty, straight and 1/4".
I am eager for your knowledge and the different ways you do yours.

Lori L

I haven't gone to the extreme you have ( don't have the red line) but I also have added a 1/4" guide to my throat plate using 1/4" quilting tape built up in several layers. I found using only my pressure foot to guide me made me inconsistent and I'm not sure why. Probably as you suggested and I wasn't focusing my eyes on that spot. I have found since I placed my tape guide to my throat plate I am very consistent with my 1/4" seams and I find my eyes tend to go from the pressure foot and the needle back to my 1/4" tape guide and things work well!

dsb38327

Throat plate? Do you have a front load bobbin? My bobbin is top load so I can only put the rubber bumper guide on top of the plastic lid I remove when I change the bobbin. If you have pictures you will give others a visual to follow if they want to set theirs up like you have. I really appreciate the response and related to your focus spots. Thank you.

M.I.Late

When I have to be completely precise, I put layers of blue painters tape where I can't cross.

amma

I have a 1/4" foot, so my eye stays on that, making sure that my fabric is feeding evenly along the side of it.

Janie Q

I have a foot with a metal strip on it. I set my needle position to get my scant quarter. Then I push my fabric against the metal strip and sew away. It looks you have developed a good method to insure a perfect seam.

dsb38327

Would love to see pictures if you have some. My right side feed dog is in the path of my 1/4" 'line' from the front of the machine to the back of the machine. That keeps me from putting anything in that area. My only space is my bobbin cover lid.

dsb38327

Your foot with the metal strip is not a walking foot, right. Do you know the name of the foot for others who might like to try theirs? I think I have one but I am on the couch and it is in the sunroom. Do you have photos? Would love to see. Thank you for your response and your compliment. It did work for me and it was stress free. (So far!)

quiltinghere

If you have #3 over your bobbin area, do you remove it each time you have to fill the bobbin and then realign it? Is it a pain?

charmy

I also have a 1/4" foot, so my eye stays on that, making sure that my fabric is feeding evenly along the side of it. I don't think I could peice w/out one ,so spoiled to having the 1/4" foot.