needle position for 1/4 inch seam
 

On my new machine (as well as my old ones, now that I think of it), to sew a 1/4 seam (especially if doing scant), the fabric is not going up both feed dogs. the fabric is going just to the left of the feed dog on the right. Do you adjust your needle position to take this into account, and then just always put it there when you sew? I'd love to hear what others are doing, since the 1/4 inch seam is the bane of my existence!

I'll be watching this, as I have the same problem.

I adjust my needle position and always piece with it in the altered position. I hane a Bernina 730 and it sews a perfect scant 1/4" seam "four positions to the right of the center position".

Yep, I also move my needle over a couple of notches to the right on my machine so that the fabric is covering all the feed dog. If I don't, the fabric gets pulled through unevenly. I use that ruler that Bonnie Hunter recommends to find your "perfect" scant 1/4" seam. However, I think someone gave me a reason once not to do that but I don't remember what that was. So, I continue to move the needle over the same amount every time I sew a 1/4" seam.

Yes, I too move the needle over so that the fabric is covering both feed dogs.

well I never adjust mine but it you do, remember to watch which foot you use. the needle still must fit into the opening.

But..... not all machines allow you to move the needle where you want it. I have two settings on my Brother and both are where they want it. The 1/4" foot will not give a scant 1/4" on either one.

I don't move my needle -- just use the 1/4 inch foot and sew.

the only thing I don't like about my newest Janome is that I have to pay more attention to my seam allowances. The 1/4" foot has a guide that tends to drag on the fabric, so I gave up on it. changing needle position is a good way to deal with the problem. Many people measure then use 2 or 3 layers of painter's tape to establish a guide. I learned where the fabric edge needs to be, which was not all that easy. My teacher said to measure each seam sewn until you are confident. Don't just measure the seam. Measure from side to side. (example: 2 sub-blocks of 2.5" unfinished size will measure 4.5" across after they are sewn together correctly.) that SCANT measure drove me crazy until I realized it is a measure from the middle of the seam thread to the hairy edge of the allowance. One fabric thread can throw you off.

What I don't understand about moving your needle a notch or two, my 1/4 inch foot is for straight stitching. If I go moving the needle I am going to be breaking it. All 3 of my 1/4 inch feet are this way. Just curious