1/4" Seam using Featherweight.
 

Hi,
I love my Featherweight. As everyone who owns one knows they sew a great seam. But I can't seem(haha) to get a scant 1/4" seam with it. The foot that comes on it is way too narrow to use as a guide for the cloth. I bought a foot that's supposed to sew a 1/4" seam, but if you use the guide on it, it is way too wide.
I use my newer machine because I can move the needle to get the precise seam I want.
How do all the FW enthusiasts do it?

Also, I took it to a meeting one time and planned to sew the binding on by QOV while there. Well, that little machine just wanted no part to that.

Any suggestions?
SVAL

I have a 1/4" without guide for my FW. Just right for that 1/4" seam. I would otherwise probably just measure and use a couple of post-it notes as a guide. Or get one of the magnetic seam guides? They work very well. Used to use it all the time on my old mechanical machine. Have a scant 1/4" needle position on my newer computerized machine so gave mine away to a friend.

I just bought a few guides for my different machines from Nova Montgomery's site. But, a regular old 1/4" foot has always worked fine for me. I would be careful with anything "sticky" on the finish of a FW...meaning I wouldn't go that route.

To sew a binding, you'd probably want a short shank, straight stitch walking foot. You can get one from Sew Classic.

There should be a couple threaded holes in the bed of your featherweight that you can screw a regular seam guide to.
Rodney

You can screw in a seam guide if you don't want to use anything sticky on it. I do not measure the seam against the edge of the foot as I have not found that to be an accurate process.

Cheers, K

Foot too wide? Take it too a belt sander and grind it down! Bit at a time, test, sand more. Especjally easy if ckear plastic. You could just rub it against sandpaper on a flat surface. Just my 2¢

I've been told a "scant seam" is one needle width shy of the 1/4". So here's how I'd do it. I'd use a bed mounted seam guide and a plastic ruler. I have several that are so thin a sewing machine needle will punch through easily.
Punch a hole one needle width shy of 1/4" then use the ruler to set the fabric guide.

I use the ruler method in all cases where I do not use my 1/4" foot with the edge guide. It's very easy to set your fabric guide that way.


Joe

I like to use Nova Montgomery’s Sew Straight Guide on my Featherweight. It will adjust to any seam width and be fine, tuned. It also helps me make straight seams with my intention tremors.
http://www.novamontgomery.com/

Since I was setting up Mr. Crinkle for some bags I thought I'd take a pic or two of how I set my seam guide.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]483796[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]483797[/ATTACH]
It's an accurate, simple, inexpensive way to set your seam guide.

Joe