Originally Posted by
bearisgray 
I use a stlleto, toothpick, long straight pin - whatever - to hold the fabric/ quide it - the last inch or so - the holder is almost under the needle as that last bit is sewn.
some say that using a single hole needlrplate also helps. the downside to using that is to straight stirch ONLY - otherwise one ends up with broken or bent needles.
Originally Posted by
slbram17
So true, it is very easy (for me) to leave that straight stitch plate in and then proceed to use a zig zag or something else. Ugh! (I have even tried the leaving of a post it note on the machine to help me.)
I have one straight stitch plate that goes on 6 or 7 of my machines. They are older mechanical machines. I use a small refrigerator magnet on the front of whatever machine has the ss plate on it so I don't forget and switch it to zz. I used to break a couple needles a week but haven't broken any since I started doing this.
Cari