help needed for sewing a 1/4 in seam
 

My DH bought me two featherweights a 222 and a 221.They are lovely machines, just slight tension problems with the 221.I want to use them to piece but don't really want to use tape to indicate a 1/4 inch sewing line in case I spoil the enamel .Is there a quilting foot for the featherweight ? Or can you clever girls come up with other ideas. I woild so love to make a quilt using them. Many thanks, Letty

Personally, I don't care for the feet with the edge guards so I buy only the regular, 1/4" feet. There's also a product I have that I bought at the last quilt show. I'd have to look at the name of them. But they're small, purple, vinyl strips that attach like tape does, but they're re-positionable and you can easily move and reattach them. They act like tape, but don't hurt the paint on the bed of the machine.

Or you can get and adjustable fabric guide at Sew-Classics or your LSMG:

{ http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Seam...l-SCF55415.htm }

The fabric guide is one of the OEM accessories that comes with or came with the Featherweights. It's mentioned in the owners manual with pics too IIRC.

I use these and the 1/4" foot with the guide a lot. Just depends on the machine and what type of presser feet it uses.

I haven't mastered sewing a straight seam without a crutch yet ..... :)

Joe

Some use a thick stack of Post-It Notes on the 1/4 inch line on the throatplate. That limits where you can sew.

l use a strip of blue painter's tape - does not leave any residue.

I use blue painters tape and have never had any problem with residue or taking finish off. If you want an edge barrier then cut through several layers of tape while it is still on the roll with an exacto knife and position that 1/4 inch from your needle and you'll have something to butt the fabric against.

It is possible to get a throat plate with markings. I found mine on eBay...paid $40.

throat plate
 

My 301's have a marked throat plate. Love that feature. Have seen the ads for fw in quilting magazines.

Look in the accessories that came with your FWs. You may have a seam guide that is made to screw onto the bed of your machine. That is what the two holes in the bed of the machine are for. At first I thought they were oil holes but they're there for the seam guide. Also, any low shank 1/4 " foot should fit.

I bought one too...does just fine. I also just bought a quilting walking foot but have not tried it yet.

I use Command strips that is used for hanging pictures to mark the 1/4" also. Love them, no sticky residue.

I just trimmed down a Post it note (one sheet) and it works fine. mainly just to guide. I don't sew fast. I check every couple inches to make sure everything is at the 1/4" seam. Also if you have any kind of adhesive residue a good remover is "GOO BE GONE". A little on a Q-Tip or tiny piece of cloth works great. Then just buff with a tiny soft scrap of material and you're good to go.

Dritz also offers a magnetic fabric guide. No icky tape or screws. You can get them at JoAnn Fabrics.

It only works on real sewing machines though, not the plastic ones.

Joe

I have all kinds of feet and accessories for the featherweight on my website: www.thequiltgal.com.

You could check www.novamontgomery.com she has the guide that I like the best. You can find a lot of Featherweight information here also.

I buy the feet with the guides and then do "surgery", take a pair of needle nose pliers and snap the guide off.

Morning!

There is a clear, reusable, glueless tape (probably vinyl) that I bought at an LQS a while back. It is formally called Hugo's New Amazing Tape. It is about 2 1/2 " wide, comes in a roll, can be cut lengthwise, across, however you like. It can be written on but you have to play a little to figure out what to write with so the ink does not bleed onto your fabric. The edge will serve as a marker on the bed of the machine so you only have to write on the tape if you want to.

I thought I was going to be the sole user of the stuff but it has been very popular in my husband's home office. Fortunately, it is a pretty big roll and I adore my husband.

Hope this helps. Please enjoy the day no matter what.

Pat

This is just a question and not an insult or jibe, but why or what is the fascination about tape?
There are a number of fabric guides that are designed for different machines. They do not mess up the machine or damage the finish.
Yet I find machines all taped up with masking tape, electrical tape, bandage tape ( that old white fabric type that is horrid to get off), and now all sorts of "modern" tapes.

Why use that stuff rather than an accessory designed to do the job?

Just curious.

Joe

For me, I'd rather not use tape, but I don't yet have a combination of seam guide and presser foot that works at 1/4" for my Morse -- since I've been using a standard zigzag foot, the seam guide would need to sit under the foot. I've been thinking of stealing the narrow straight-stitch foot from my Singer 15-91 until I pick up a quarter inch foot so I can use the screw-in guide (which is great for anything over 1/4"). In the meantime I have painter's tape on there which isn't the most attractive thing ever, but low-tack enough not to leave much residue, and luckily it doesn't actually sit on the bed of the machine since the bobbin plate is in front of the throat plate on that model rather than to the left of it.

I swear by the seam guide. Here are lots of different ones from different machines. http://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/guides.html

You might like to see how I use them here. http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.bl...l/Seam%20guide

PS Joe - I'm totally with you.

can anyone tell me the proper size belt for a fw221. please?

It takes a 17 1/2" v-belt.

cathy

thank you, cathy!

Thank you quilt gal and all of you who answered my questions re. 1/4 inch feet.I have been on to the quiklt site and they have all I will require.What a wonderful aid this forum is. Happy sewing, Letty