Have had my 1/4 inch foot for a few years, it is an add on bought from the shop that sold me my machine. I am not all that happy with it lately. It used to be right on, lately, it is not. Unfortunately I forget to check and find the finished block is smaller. I wonder can the bars that run on the side of it get sprung out? It is frustrating, will have to start checking as I go. I did mention to the shop and they said it is on. My cutting is good, I have checked it, it is that darned foot. Am wondering if I should just buy a new one and give it a try.

If your machine has changable needle position check that. If your needle doesn't move it may be the foot. I have a similar foot and it has come apart. I would buy a new foot as a last resort.

If your 1/4" foot has a little light metal edge, it can get bent or sprung out. All it takes is getting a pin jammed in there to push it out enough so that it is off. Even when these feet are perfectly straight, they can still be enough off to make your seam allowance inaccurate. Sometimes you can adjust your needle position just enough to compensate for your foot. I'd try bending the edge in a little, change your needle position and if you're still unhappy, try another foot. There may even be a generic one that will work better for you. May you soon have happy stitching and accurate too!

I love that type of foot!

On my Janome 6600P I need to move the needle over to 4.2 (the default is 3.5) to get the perfect 1/4" seam. I have 2 of those feet & the other one is spot on with the Memory Craft 3000. Go figure! I don't mind having to make adjustments if it yields a perfect (or nearly) block.

The trouble with your foot may be that the fence is riding directly on your feed dogs and the fence is being pushed off them causing it to bend out.

I have gotten the Little Foot for the prison machines. While there is no fence, there is also nothing to bend out of shape.

Kathy

I have a 1/4 inch foot but don't rely on it. I always use a strip of painters tape to mark my 1/4" line on my machine. It has never failed me and leaves no sticky residue when I peel it off.

That's exactly what I do too. Works really well for me. :)

Rachel

Thanks for the answers what could be up with this thing. You know I bought it when I started quilting, inexperienced and all it worked, now that I have been quilting for a few years it is getting harder to get my blocks to match. I am going to try the tape on my machine, I need to do something, what a pain.

Don't know what the answer is, not knowing your machine, but Just lately I"ve had a similar problem. The culprit is the screw that holds it on is coming loose. Not enough to cause a needle problem, but enough not to let the foot sit where it should. So now I check it pretty often!

Yes, those blades can get bent :(
Someone posted one on here a while ago, that had the blade, but it had another piece of metal on the side of the blade to keep this from happening.
I will be looking for one of these for my machine :D:D:D

Different materials will need experimentation to get the scant 1/4". It may or may not be a 'foot' issue. I know, from experience, that working with flannels means I'll have to move my needle position over to the right 2 spaces.

To check to make sure your 1/4 is really a 1/4 use a piece of lined index card. The lines are exactly 1/4 inch apart. Use an old needle if you are worried about dulling your favorite one!

Thank you all for the good advice and things to keep in mind should I ever be faced with the problem.

Andie

I just got one from a joanome dealer he said that it would work on my viking but when I tried to use it my needle broke (tried another needle broke)the openong sets a fraction forward on the joanome one I will have to order one from viking

Janome makes 2 1/4" feet..one has the hole a little elongated,to the right,, and the other is just a hole.. i have to have the elongated one on my Janome jem platinum.
they sold the wrong one to my friend, or she grabbed the wrong one,(who knows..:roll: ) either way, the needle hit the foot and it bent the shaft..they fixed it for free of course. but there are 2 of them to check out....
i have and use the "little foot" no bar..occasionally

the index card is a good way to check it out too..

Different fabrics and threads have different thicknesses. So it's a good idea
to check your 1/4" seam before each project. Take three 1.5" strips, sew
them side by side, press and measure the middle strip. It should be 1".
If not, adjust the needle position. Hope this helps.

I think he was full of it I'm glad I did not also get the stich-in-the-ditch I'm going to return it tomorrw and order from husqvarna they have a repair shop in the USA

I am getting ready to replace my 1/4 inch foot because I do believe the 'bar' on the side is sprung a little bit. Also, the hole in the middle is now bigger than it should be...due to my trying to make a new one with my needle set in the wrong position too many times. LOL So, yes, especially if it is a plastic foot, I do think they need to be replaced now and then. I have had this foot for about 5 years.