Need help with sewing machine measurements
02-15-2020, 07:11 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1
Need help with sewing machine measurements
Hi everyone! My name is Renee and I am new to quilting. I have yet to start a new quilt. I will start one as soon as I can get your help. I have an older sewing machine, it’s a brother LS-1217.
im asking anyone out there if you can please help me figure out the measurements on my machine. I have looked and looked and I’m not having any luck. Also, does the needle need to be in that middle, right, or left?
Any help is appreciated. Thank you I’m advanced!
im asking anyone out there if you can please help me figure out the measurements on my machine. I have looked and looked and I’m not having any luck. Also, does the needle need to be in that middle, right, or left?
Any help is appreciated. Thank you I’m advanced!
02-15-2020, 09:01 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,433
YouTube is your friend. I searched for Beginning quilting lessons and quite a few came up. Or your library. My friend's first quilts were 10 inch squares, arranged pleasingly in rows, sewn together, then quilted. They turned out very nice. An index cards lines are supposed to be 1/4" apart. I used those to try to find where to set my needle for so that I could sew that 1/4" seam. Your journey is just beginning. Enjoy the process.
Edited to add: If you put the general area you are located in, there may be a quilter on this board that might help you learn some things. Hands on is a lot easier than online.
Edited to add: If you put the general area you are located in, there may be a quilter on this board that might help you learn some things. Hands on is a lot easier than online.
02-16-2020, 05:19 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Waterford Michigan
Posts: 7,241
Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! You will find there are loads of people willing to help you out and I am sure that in time you will feel comfortable sharing your journey with us. We love to give praise reports on quilts and help you along the way. Needle position is usually in the middle unless your foot is 1/4" inch to the outside edge. Then you would move it to the right. You want to make a 1/4" seam on you quilt block. If possible let your foot be your guide. As mentioned there are many teaching aids on YouTube that are very helpful. Again welcome to the QB!
02-16-2020, 05:48 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,480
when not sure on a machine.....I just find a ruler that I can place so I can see where the 1/4 would fall...there is usually a mark there on the machine but not always...you can also just measure and put a little stack of sticky notes on your machine to help you guide your fabric or a piece of tape....but the gold standard is to actually piece some of your cut out fabric together as directed and make sure the finished size is what it is supposed to be.....
02-16-2020, 06:18 AM
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: florida,
Posts: 262
Here is a link on tube for your sewing machine how to. There is a short intro and then the full instructions are there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1meLXxQA1E
This is a link to down load for the manual.
https://support.brother.com/g/b/manu...d=hf_ls1217eas
Here is a threading guide.
https://www.wikihow.com/Thread-a-Bro...Sewing-Machine
Just google your machine there are pages with good info.
Have fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1meLXxQA1E
This is a link to down load for the manual.
https://support.brother.com/g/b/manu...d=hf_ls1217eas
Here is a threading guide.
https://www.wikihow.com/Thread-a-Bro...Sewing-Machine
Just google your machine there are pages with good info.
Have fun
Last edited by j50; 02-16-2020 at 06:22 AM.
02-16-2020, 07:37 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,165
You've been given some good advice already, I also have graph paper handy so it is very easy for me to check the seam line.
I really suggest you look into getting a "quilting foot". This is used for piecing as we term it, not quilting. It has a 1/4" seam allowance on both sides of the foot (needle in center position) then they also usually have the 1/4" front and back marked. Using that quilting foot allows me to do a lot of nifty stuff when I'm piecing because I can sew with either the seam allowance or the block to the left or right.
I had just started on my Bonnie Hunter Frolic project when my high end machine decided it needed to go to the shop so I did the rest of the project on my very low end Cheapo brother I have as a portable machine and was delighted with the accuracy of the foot!
Here's one use, when you sew triangles sometimes the points get sucked down into your machine. Using the quilting foot alternate the triangles going in and sew on the right/left sides of the foot.
I really suggest you look into getting a "quilting foot". This is used for piecing as we term it, not quilting. It has a 1/4" seam allowance on both sides of the foot (needle in center position) then they also usually have the 1/4" front and back marked. Using that quilting foot allows me to do a lot of nifty stuff when I'm piecing because I can sew with either the seam allowance or the block to the left or right.
I had just started on my Bonnie Hunter Frolic project when my high end machine decided it needed to go to the shop so I did the rest of the project on my very low end Cheapo brother I have as a portable machine and was delighted with the accuracy of the foot!
Here's one use, when you sew triangles sometimes the points get sucked down into your machine. Using the quilting foot alternate the triangles going in and sew on the right/left sides of the foot.
02-16-2020, 07:59 AM
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,535
For most sewing, the needle should be in the middle. You change the needle position if you need the sewing to be close like when using the zipper foot. Be careful that you have the correct foot on when changing the needle position or you will break a needle if it hits the foot.
02-16-2020, 10:36 AM
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
Posts: 19,388
I no longer change the position of my needle. at least 99% of the time it is centered. my zipper foot for this machine is different in that it allows me to use it without changing my needle at all. Good luck with your machine. you might call a Guild or go to a quilt store and ask advice. they may know some things to help you or can refer you to others who can help.
