Pressure feet not covering feed dogs
 

I wanted a 1/4 foot with guide for my Brother 8500. The dealer sold me one. The foot is not wide enough to cover the right feed dog. Is that normal? I called the dealer and he said I asked for a foot that would fit the 8500 and the foot fits the machine. No return. ?

sometimes that does happen. hopefully it is the right foot. by the way he sounded, it may not be. I do wish people would be more responsible. pay more attention to the fabric fitting right next to the 1/4 guide on the edge of the foot and not the feed dogs. just hold the fabric with your left hand or a stiletto while it's going under the foot being sewn. don't let it wander. Just like driving a car. keep the fabric "in the lane".

The whole right food dog is exposed and guide is to the left of the it. That leaves only the left one to feed the fabric. The dealer said that was normal as the wide feed dog machines were not made for 1/4 pressure feet. His tone is 'I know because I'm the expert' Annoying.

The 1/4 inch foot for my Janome 7700 is like that. The guide hits the middle of the right feed dog. I also found it annoying and despite being "responsible" and staying in the lane I had trouble keeping a consistent 1/4 inch. So much so that I bought a Pfaff Ambition Essential for piecing, which is wonderful.

I was moving the needle as far right as possible to get the 1/4 seam but had to use a seam guide of some kind. I thought a foot with guide would solve the problem but it won't. Good news is the new foot fits my Janome portable perfectly.

My Pfaff QE 4.0 is like that so I don't use the 1/4 foot. I use a regular foot and adjust my needle to the right so that the edge of the foot to the needle is a scant 1/4.

Do you have a single hole stitch plate? The one for my machine covers up the wider feed dogs.

Did you set your machine for a center stitch? The 1/4 inch foot won't work in the other modes. If left or right mode is used, them you are only on part of the feed dogs.

With the 1/4" foot only center mode will work as it has only one center hole. The foot isn't wide enough to cover the right feed dog. I have to use a regular foot and move the needle over to 7 in order to get a 1/4 seam. I think I'll stick to piecing with my Bernina, the 1/4" foot fits over the feed dogs. The Bernina is heavy and I don't like toting it to classes and workshops though. The Janome is lightweight but has no auto cutter. I'm spoiled for that feature. It sure saves thread. I wish I could design a machine just to suit me! Wouldn't that be great to be able to custom a machine just for yourself?