Need help with sewing machine measurements
02-16-2020, 11:53 AM
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,143
I think you're asking about how to use the lines on your presser foot to achieve a 1/4" seam. This may not be possible, since the machine may not have been designed with quilting in mind.
On my main machine (Bernina 440) I use the Bernina 1/4" foot and move the needle one click to the right. This gives me a 1/4" seam 99% of the time. On some other machines I put tape (several thicknesses) on the bed of the machine in the right position to achieve the 1/4" seam. In any case, it's not the size of the seam that's important, but the size of the patch created by sewing the seam. This video shows how to check to be sure that your seam allowance is giving you the correct size patches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvmX8hBbgug
You need to check your patch size frequently, especially when you are using different threads or fabrics, since these can affect the amount of space taken up "in the seam" and therefore affect the size of the patch.
On my main machine (Bernina 440) I use the Bernina 1/4" foot and move the needle one click to the right. This gives me a 1/4" seam 99% of the time. On some other machines I put tape (several thicknesses) on the bed of the machine in the right position to achieve the 1/4" seam. In any case, it's not the size of the seam that's important, but the size of the patch created by sewing the seam. This video shows how to check to be sure that your seam allowance is giving you the correct size patches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvmX8hBbgug
You need to check your patch size frequently, especially when you are using different threads or fabrics, since these can affect the amount of space taken up "in the seam" and therefore affect the size of the patch.
02-16-2020, 03:07 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,254
I have sewing machine guage I use. The distance depends in your needle placement center is used for 1/4 inch foot, i believe right is for the regular foot and left might be 5/8 on regular foot but you have to check the manual. The guage i have is the ideal seam guage. It is purple and i just but my clover seam guide against it to create a guide for my seam allowance. I want to say the markings on the plate are for left needle placement. All brother markings are the same so i would just download a manual of a similar machine
02-17-2020, 04:28 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Posts: 1,811
Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting. I consider myself a self-taught beginner, and I learn something here every day! Googling unfamiliar sewing terms from these posts has led to some amazing YouTube videos. I just learned about the walking foot presser foot. If you don't have one, get one (Amazon sells them).
BTW, my needle position is usually in the center.
Look forward to seeing your projects. I enjoy pics of the process as well as the finished.
BTW, my needle position is usually in the center.
Look forward to seeing your projects. I enjoy pics of the process as well as the finished.
02-17-2020, 08:28 PM
#14
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 69
Welcome! If I'm understanding your question correctly, you want to know what measurements the lines on face plate of your machine correspond to.
If you lower your needle via the handwheel then take a ruler and measure from the needle to the first line, second line, etc. it will tell you what each line is. Needle should be in the center position for this.
Typically (I'm just going by memory here) the first line should be 3/8", the next is most likely 1/4" and so on. My machines have this in metric so 10cm, 15cm, etc.
I have never owned a Brother machine so someone who has will have to let you know if the measurements come in inches or centimeters.
Hope this helps!
If you lower your needle via the handwheel then take a ruler and measure from the needle to the first line, second line, etc. it will tell you what each line is. Needle should be in the center position for this.
Typically (I'm just going by memory here) the first line should be 3/8", the next is most likely 1/4" and so on. My machines have this in metric so 10cm, 15cm, etc.
I have never owned a Brother machine so someone who has will have to let you know if the measurements come in inches or centimeters.
Hope this helps!
02-18-2020, 04:13 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,231
I guess I'm the oddball here! I use my needle position setting all of the time. One click to the left or right can make a huge difference in getting the perfect 1/4" seam, for me anyway. I find that the thread you use can throw off a 1/4" seam by just enough to matter, so moving the needle one or two clicks over one way or the other really helps.
