Straight Stitch Plate...Why should I use one?
 

I've read quite a few comments from people saying to use a straight stitch plate for FMQing. Can someone explain to me why a straight stitch plate makes it easier?

Thanks!

What I have always heard about the straight stitch plate is it keeps fabric from being eaten up by the machine (going down that zig zag opening).

Serita

I think they are talking about the plate with one small hole for the needle, thus your fabric "can't go down the hole".

The single hole plate will help stabilize the fabric and keep your stitching lines straighter and nicer. Plus, it avoids "eating" up the beginning edges of your seams.

Same for FMQ ... nicer smoother stitching.

There is more control of the fabric with the single hole throat plate. Less space for fabric or thread to get messed up in.

For fmq-ing you aren't supposed to pull or push the fabric but gently move it with the stitching. I've never broken a needle because of using the single hole throat plate.

Oh I'm more confused after reading this than I was.
I'll do what I normally do.

I'd never used one on my Janome, but when I got my Pfaff QE4 I noticed a huge difference! Fabric would invariably disappear down the hole and I'd end up unpicking knots and have frayed corners.

Apparently it's a problem recognised by Pfaff and I got a free straight stitch plate with the 'Quilters Bonus Pack' or some such.

Luckily I can set the machine to remind me when the plate is on so I don't break needles by trying to zig-zag with it on, lol. I've never encountered a problem with FMQ with the ordinary plate.

Some machines will tend to eat the start of the stitching (unless you use a scrap piece of fabric to start stitching) if you are using a regular throat plate. I've never had a problem with FMQ using a smaller hole throat plate.

What's the confusions, DottyMo?

My machine did not come with one, but I ordered one, and use it all the time when I am piecing. It really does make a difference.

OK - here goes yes you should use it for piecing at least. I have never mastered the FMQing on a domestic so I can not address that.

I used to sell Vikings and (lol) always told my quilters to use it. Of course for myself, I have always been too lazy to switch mine out. It just seemed like too much trouble. Recently ... I have been piecing lots of small things and HSTs for a scrappy quilt in between everything else. My fabric was continually "eaten" even after I tried to remember to grab the threads or use a leader. Decided to swap out the throat plate for the single hole and guess what? It works BEAUTIFULLY!

Try it and see if it improves your FMQing.

Also some of the newer machines have a 9mm opening (standard is 5mm) so that makes the opening almost twice the size. If you have a 9mm opening a straight stitch plate works wonders both with piecing and quilting. I also have one for one of my machines with the 5mm opening. I really do think it makes a difference for me

Good advise.
If you already have the plate, set it up with the straight stitch plate and give it a try. Then you'll know which you like better.
Rodney

I have a Janome Horizon 8200 which is a 9mm. I couldn't use the single hole for piecing though, as the 1/4 inch setting on my machine moves the needle all the way to the right. So it wouldn't work.

But I may try it for FMQing.

Thanks!

My Bernina 440 QE has never eaten fabric at the beginning of a seam, whether or not I'm using a leader (or "spider" as F&P call them), and I don't use a straight stitch plate. When I first got my Singer (in 1971), I would have a problem until I realized I was starting the stitching off the fabric. If I moved the fabric so that the needle would go into the fabric, I rarely had problems.

I won't use a straight stitch plate, because I not only piece, but I do crafts with my machine, and I switch back and forth between straight stitching and decorative stitching frequently. Changing out the plate would be a pain in the patoot and I would probably forget and break needles.

I agree......when i switched to the one hole plate, my stitches improved so much and there were no more eyelashes

I tried the single hole plate a few times but, after breaking the needle a couple of times, decided it wasn't worth it. The needle broke because I would forget and change to a zigzag; needle would hit the foot. It doesn't work for piecing on my machine because I need to move the needle to get my scant 1/4" seam with the foot I prefer.

You get a much nicer stitch without any eyelash effect on the curves - far superior.

Oh, the things you learn from this board!! A single whole plate will not eat my fabric!!! yeah!

You could use it if you got a 1/4" foot and center the needle in the center. For me, the 1/4" foot and the single needle plate are the most valuable items I have that go with my sewing machine. I hate to piece without the single needle plate and the 1/4" foot, and I would be really frustrated without either one of them! I use the single needle plate for FMQing and embroidery, too.

Darn it Gayle, that's a good point. I have the new 15000 and was thinking, why don't I use the single hole plate, well now I know why. I guess it's pretty useless then isn't it?

I think Gayle said in her post that using the 1/4" foot on the 9mm machine moves the needle to the right so it wouldn't be in the center, therefore she can't use the single needle plate. Are there two holes on the single plate? One that's maybe a little to the right of the center? Maybe that would work. I'll have to check it out.

When you are start out to piecing...at the very beginning, sometimes instead of the sewing machine gliding along, the very beginning (corners) of the sewn fabric will get pushed down into the hole below and bunch up. Making the piecing pretty much impossible, the straight switch plate is supposed to eliminate that problem, I still have problems with it, I hold onto the threads before I start sewing to make sure it doesn't get stuck and tangle up. I owned an Elna sewing machine for 40 years and never had this problem, I didn't even know the problem existed until I got my new Bernina, but I guess it is pretty common. I always had tension problems with the Elna, so none is perfect.

My plate has an elongated hole, I use a hopping foot, and always start off the edge of the quilt when I free motion quilt. I have never had a problem with it jamming the material in the hole. I have been doing it for about 4 years now. I use Machinger gloves, go slow, and relax.

It helps prevent the quilt or fabric from being sucked down into the needle plate opening. It is also wonderful for piecing on some of the newer fancy machines as many of them have a larger opening and tend to suck down the fabric when piecing.