Joe, some of the Japanese machines have dedicated left needle positions. That is the default for them. My Universal is like that, but unlike yours, it ZZs and does the decorative stitches from that position. I could get used to it if I only sewed with that machine, not a variety, but I'm having trouble visualizing a 1/4" seam on it. The right feeddog is more than 1/4" from the needle, I'm thinking. After I put the new plug on, I'll have to play with it.
I just visited a Yahoo site that says your Dressmaker was made by Dressmaker. There was a manual for $17.00. For that price, I'll figure the Universal out myself.