Just a quick bit of input from a very new quilter on how to keep seam allowances...I use the 1/4" foam sticky insulation strips that come in a roll. Measure from the needle hole in your sewing plate out to where you want your seam allowance and tape a strip from the back of your sewing machine to the front. The foam is just thick enought to help giude the fabric and it comes off easily if you need to change seam allowances for different projects! It's a pretty cheap solution and, after a while, I think I can get the hang of where I need to be without it. :D