I have created a piece of heavy cardboard with an exact 1/4" edge on it and since I have several machines (including a couple that think "they" want to reset the needle every time I turn them on). I put a piece of 1/4" painter's tape (which actually is a scant 1/4") on the edge and measure from the line on my machine to the to the actual needle point every time and on every machine before I start sewing. My faithful 1950's 301 and Featherweight are always right on the money every time , the newer ones always have to have the needle reset every time I turn them on. Maybe this will help. After having to redo a number of strips because the needle was off just a tad, I came up with this. I can put the needle down slowly exactly to the correct setting on my "needle setting creation".