Just call me CHEAP, but I use narrow painters tape. With the tape still on the roll, I take a very sharp knife or one of those tools which has a blade, I suppose they are called a box blade, and cut through about 6 - 8 layers of the tape. Then I turn the "spool" about 8" and make another cut. This is then removed all together in a thick layer and placed beside my 1/4 pressure foot to create a ridge for the fabric to follow. (I have measured to be sure that I have this placed correctly to achieve the 1/4" seam). This strip of tape extends to the front and back of the pressure foot and is absolutely great to have when sewing strips because it keeps the fabric straight behind the pressure foot after it has been sewn and helps feed the fabric several inches in front of the pressure foot. My experience has been that keeping the fabric straight behind the foot helps keep the fabric from getting messed up in front. Having several inches of this tape ridge in front of the foot helps me sew faster because I now am not watching the needle, instead I am keeping an eye on several inches of fabric and guiding it in a straight line before it is even close to being sewn. I have also seen a lady using this ridge of tape on her ruler. She just placed this at the 2 1/2" mark on her ruler in several places to butt up against several layers of fabric to be cut into strips. I have not tried this just yet, probably because I could not easily find the roll of tape.

I have also heard of doing that, but, because I do other sewing that requires other size seams, I haven't done it.

Yeah, I use to do all that stuff, with carpet tape and all kinds of tape, post it notes, you name it, but I too do all kinds of sewing so got tired of moving tape. Foot that you can adjust is so much easier and at $10.00 I think it is actually is cheaper in the long run and definitly less of a headache :!: (so you buy less aspirin- had to put that in :lol: ) :D

And I also have the top loading bobbin, so would have to move it a lot.

I use 3 different feet for my 1/4" seam. I have an 30 yr old Bernina 830 and I just got a new 730. I did buy their 1/4" foot with a guide however the guide inhibits what I want to do sometimes. I do use my edger foot, love it for lots of things including paper piecing. I have a clear 1/4" I belive it was called the Big Little foot, I have had it for a long time and with all the adapters you can buy for the different type of feet, it has fit everyone of my machines including a very old Singer. Also, when I use any of my feet even if it has narrow opening I can move my needle 1 or 2 clicks for my skant 1/4" even if I am using my single hole needle plate. I just have to be careful and put a note on my maching not to switch to zig-zag. Or there goes another needle. My new machine does have a security I can set however if I set it when I put the single hole plate on I can not move my needle for the scant 1/4". I love using all these feet for different sewing items. Well, I have to face it I love computers, sewing and quilting so the new computerized machines are a blast for me. If you can see the attached I am showing pictures of all the adapters & 1/4" feet that I have. Hopefully some of you will learn from this. You DO NOT need to buy every foot for your machine! Investigate you may have some that will work on your machine. However, just becareful machines are too expensive to repair. There is a lot of good info out there at shows, shops and dealers. Buy wisely and have fun.

I think we've been talking about 2 different things for free-motion: 1- the teflon-coated sheet that smooths the 'bumps' under the quilt; 2- a TABLE-like device that moves the quilt around under the needle. There are 2 models of the TABLE. One just moves the quilt more easily. The more expensive one ALSO regulates the stitch to match the speed at which you're moving the quilt - which means the stitches are ALWAYS the same size no matter how fast or slowly you move the quilt! It's pricey though - $1200. Pfaff, Viking and Bernina all sell it for their machines - maybe more dealers, I don't know.

Elizabeth A - you said Inspira sells it for $300. Do you have a web site for Inspira or an address or phone number?
Thanks, Joanne A

Do you know if this foot works on all machines? Or is it limited to Singer?

It looks like it fits a lot of different machines.

I believe it's called Inspira Fab-U-Motion. The listed MSRP is $499, and the link below is to someone who is offering it $100 off. http://www.pfaff.com/ca/en/media/Ca/BigCoupnEvent.pdf

and this one is 25% off, though I'm not sure ~ it looks like a local store only.
http://www.donssewing.com/50thanniversarysale.html

Now all this searching was done online. I'm certain my local friend said $300, I will try to remember to ask her the store she saw it at and post the info back here. :wink:

Yes they have the feet for all different types of machines. My foot was for my brother. Feet are interchangeable. But they sale the different feet for different machines also.