best tool to find 1/4 inch seam?
 

I've been messing around with this and finally decided to ask the experts. Is there a tool that will show you a perfect 1/4 in seam? Someone suggested using the lines on an index card, which is a great idea. I put tape down, but every time I have to change my bobbin I have to start all over again. (Darn top-loading bobbins!). The 1/4 inch foot that I purchased especially for my machine is not 1/4 inch, I had purchased a guide that you put on your machine, but I can't use that either because it goes over the plate for the bobbin.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Okay, this is down and dirty and it works for me. I took a piece of cardboard 4 " x 8", marked exactly 1/4" on the edged of the 8" side all the way down the cardboard and gently put it under my needle with the point right on the 1/4" mark from the edge. Then I took blue painter's tape (could use the green, either one works) and put it gently on my sewing machine exactly next to the cardboard with the needle right my 1/4" line. Remove the cardboard. Now, I have a perfect 1/4 inch from the point of the needle to the edge of the tape. If I have to take it off (and I do because my bobbin has to be changed and that little plastic piece has to come up), I can put it right back on the bed in exactly the right place. I had to do this because every time I turn off my machine, it defaults to the left and then I have to center it again and again and again. Hope this helps.

With a top loading bobbin I'm not sure any of the typical solutions would not have to be moved. Can you draw a line with a permanent marker on the bed of your machine? You'd have to be careful about the edge of the line depending on how thick a marker you used.

Instead of a "guide" can you purchase a throat plate with quarter inch marks? If you use the tape method, you could cut the tape on both sides of the bobbin cover so that when you remove it, the tape stays on the cover. On occasion when I've wanted the marks to extend to the edge of the machine's bed, I've taken a soft leaded pencil and made little marks along the quarter inch line right on the machine bed. My machine is quite shiny and smooth and the marks come off easily, so it is a short term technique.

I line my presser foot up with the edge of the fabric and move my needle (left or right) until I get my perfect 1/4" or scant 1/4" seam. Works great. If you can't move your needle it's kind of a moot point though.

That is brilliant!

I think finding the 1/4 inch seam is a bit like learning how to drive in the proper lane. Or how to park. One just learns where to 'aim'

I used an index card (or graph paper) and lined that up to see where the 'edge' should be in relation to the presser foot I am using. It may be that you line up your fabric exactly with the edge - it may stick out 1/16 of an inch to the right of the presser foot - it may be that the presser foot 'covers' the edge by 1/32 of an inch.

It's much easier to learn 'where' your 1/4 inch is than to rely on a crutch that has to be replaced all the time.

Bonnie Hunter sells her seam guide at her classes for $3. She doesn't mail them though. Walmart has them in the red colored plastic. I think by Dritz.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/--GC4n9zh_XA/UT...5B5%25255D.jpg

Here is a picture of how she handles the top loading bobbin seam guide.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3hmC4FGGbts/UC...5B9%25255D.jpg

I have a 1/4" foot for my machine....LOVE it!