Hi, Gals.

Help me find a way to end my 1/4" seams dead on. I am 90% a thread or two either right or left of the seam. I will appreciate all the help I can get and I will try all your suggestions.

Quilting Bud, Bernice

I'm so dense that I'm not sure what you mean by "end" your seam.

I use the seam ripper to hold the tails when I am coming to the end of the pieces to keep them from twisting and getting off of the 1/4" (if that is what you mean)..I've also used the blud painters tape to but the fabric up against (prior to getting the 1/4" foot).

I know what you mean, Bernice. Mine seem to shift a little at the end too. I'm waiting to see what the others suggest.

i do the same as sandpat, i use my seam ripper to keep the pieces together as they feed thru.

i also have a 1/4 foot for my sewing machine that has a side plate that keeps the fabric from shifting to the right, i only have to keep the end points together and make sure they don't shift to the left.

I've read about getting a throat plate (?) that just has a small hole like the old-fashioned straight-stitch only machines.

I don't know if it works or not.

I think Eleanor Burns always uses a stilleto to hang on to the end of the seam as it approaches the needle.

I too have the same problem........seems like when I get to the end of a seam I swerve off to the right. I will try to use the seam ripper to hold the material in place also.

Everything about my seams got better when I was introduced to the miracle of starch. None of those little ends get away from me so badly now that I starch everything into cardboard.

I use a stilleto and works for me. I got my from nancy's notions for 5 bucks and free shipping.

You could even use a darning needle, an ice pick, or just a sturdy pin. Depends on how "frugal" one is/or has to be.

I also use a 1/4 inch foot and seam ripper to keep to the correct seam width. One thing I've noticed when chain piecing--I tend to reach for the next piece before I get to the end of the piece I'm sewing. This can cause me to "veer off" some. Now I slow down, reach the end of the piece I'm sewing and then grab the next piece to place. Hope this helps-oh, and keep practicing!

You can put tape or sticky notes to mark where the 1/4" mark is and make sure your fabric is agains it while you sew. It will have no where to go or shift.

can you purchase a 1/4 inch foot for your machine?
:D :D :D :D

For quilt show quality, perfect results the first time, glue baste the fabric ends together and then draw a 1/4 sewing line to follow at the end . I sew very slow at the start and end of seams and push the end fabric in place. I usually use my seam ripper to push or guide the fabric. It takes practice and knowing your machine.

I found that I needed to keep my finger on the fabric all the way through the sewing process. that keeps it from shifting one way or the other.

I have some long bent tweezers that came with a foot for curves, it's great for holding that last little point in place as it goes through.

ok i am trying to visualize what you ladies are saying about using a seem ripper.. what exactally are you doing, sewing it then ripping it back up? i'm lost.

LOL use the point of the seam ripper to hold onto the fabric as it goes under the foot

lol ok now that makes sense...:)

Try looking at this it may be helpful :D http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...ail=1882703454

I use a single needle plate - the one with just a small hole for straight stitching. It helps a lot to keep your seams, as well as the beginning and ends of seams straight. I resisted getting one for a while,as it seemed like an unnecessary expense as I already had a needle plate, but well worth the cost. Mine was about $35.

kathy, do you have the curvemaster presser foot?....if so..how do you like it?

I use a wooden skewer. You can get a whole package of them for 99 cents at Walmart.

I keep a pretty vase filled with the wooden skewers next to my cooktop. I use them for stirring and poking foods. Just toss, no messy spoon to deal with. I stuck two together in a round piece of styrofoam and put spools of ribbon on it, keeps it neat and easy to dispense. I'm always finding a use for a wooden skewer.

I got so frustrated Saturday watching Fon's and Porters show. one sewed while the other handed triangles to be sewn into hst's. the lady sewing stopped sewing well before the end point and placed another set of triangles near it and kept on sewing. luckily their machine didn't make the fabric move to one side or the other. lucky!! i hold onto mine till it is in the end and then needle down before i put more in front to be stitched.
Each to her own!

I lay my finger on the fabric and snugged up to the presser foot. As the fabric moves under it, my finger is sliding along side the foot. It keeps the fabric straight to the end.


Native Texan remember they always say that they do not do their best sewing on TV they are in a hurry for taping purposes, so I wonder if they do that at home????

I too like most everyone here uses something to held the fabric straight.
I use my ripper to hold the fabric straight.
Scraq quilter

I used to have the trouble you are having, but with the recent quilt as I was sewing I kept my eyes peeled on the right side of the fabric, to see it stayed straight... the foot gives me the quarter inch seam and I know just where the quarter inch sewing has to be... and where the right side of the material should be... with all of the sewing my eyes don't stray from the right side of the fabric (where it has been cut)... hope this helps you.

Dude... I'm with you... starch the snot out of everything! LOL Cardboard is sooooo much easier to sew ;-)

I sometimes use the end of a pin to help guide the last bit in, I used to veer off at the end as well. Slowing down and paying attention right to the last stitch helped.