|
I agree with franc36 - I seem to have much better luck with the open-toe foot than the edge joining foot. I guess it's because I can see better what I'm doing. But I totally LOVE prism's idea of using the serpentine stitch - will definitely try that on my next project!
|
Something that really helps me is to put 2 door stops under the back side of my machine to slightly tip it forward. It changes the angle and I can steer much better with far less fatigue in my shoulders. You can get them at Dollar Tree ... there are two sizes and I buy the larger one ... it even comes in white to match my furniture! LOL
|
I don't have a serpentine stitch on my machines, but do it free motion over the ditches and it comes out okay. It will not be absolutely uniform in appearance, but then, neither are my quilts!
|
Can you move the needle position on your machine? I move mine to the far right so the edge of the foot rests right next to the ditch. Then when I'm feeding the fabric I don't watch the needle but instead keep my eye on the foot. It's kind of like when you're driving - you look ahead on the road instead of right at the front of the car.
|
I have tried the invisible thread, the kind that looks like nylon fishing line. The result was a mess of tangles that I had to
rip out. Is there some secret about using this thread? |
Originally Posted by Dakota Girl
(Post 5497537)
I have tried the invisible thread, the kind that looks like nylon fishing line. The result was a mess of tangles that I had to
rip out. Is there some secret about using this thread? What brand of thread did you use? |
I will do this the next time instead of SID - no matter what I try to do, I am not happy with my SID>
Great idea!!
Originally Posted by Prism99
(Post 5493565)
I refuse to do SID because it drove me crazy!
What I do instead is a serpentine stitch over seams. Serpentine is a built-in decorative stitch on many machines; looks like an S. I adjust the stitch length and width on my machine to create an S shape that I like. Because serpentine uses more thread than a straight stitch, I like to use Aurifil 50wt 2-ply. This thread is perfect because it creates very little lint, it's finer because it's 2-ply instead of the more standard 3-ply, and the bobbin can hold a lot more of it before the bobbin runs out. The *huge* advantage over SID is that I can depress the foot pedal completely and merrily sew away on top of seams. The serpentine is *very* forgiving of minor deviations. I no longer have eyestrain and also have no emotional tension trying to achieve a "perfect" SID. Plus, I like the soft effect the serpentine stitch gives to the quilting. |
I do mostly charity quilts but I am never happy with my SID either. I use a zig zag stitch and I'm happier with the results.
|
Originally Posted by Elise1
(Post 5493710)
Using invisible or clear thread makes mistakes less noticeable. :thumbup:
|
I have SID quite a few times and the most important thing is that the seams are pressed to one side. Then you sew on the side where there are no seams, that is the ditch. Go slow till you get the feel of it.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:21 AM. |