My blocks use to always be too small and then I bought a Bernina 830 and now all my blocks are too big. I have the 57D foot but my blocks turn out too small. I moved my needle and use the 34D foot and my blocks are too big. I know it's me, but how do I fix me?

What exactly is a "scant" 1/4" seam? I'm not sure what "scant" means.

[quote=Just-Lee]You can also put a piece of mole skin on your machine bed for marking...although I have no idea where you get it, I have seen it used to teach kids about seams.

Moleskin comes from the drugstore where they've got all the foot stuff-appropriate hunh??? It's other use is for corns and callus on your feet, it pads them

;-)

Pressing makes a difference in your finished block. If you routinely press flat first from the wrong side and then turn over and press very carefully from the right side you should be able to improve your accuracy. The pressing technique is just as important as using a scant 1/4" seam. Also check the angle from which you view the fabric under the foot. Sometimes just raising or lowering your chair height results in a view that improves your seam allowance accuracy.

me too.....you cannot beat the stitch quality or the visability of SINGER 301A

That was my first thought - that little machine is great!

I also just switched back to my regular foot and moved my needle over to the right so that more of my fabric gets fed through the feed dogs. Helps prevent the wavy seams.

Just got the 301 a week ago but I love the 1/4 inch mark on her bed plus, she sews such a straight line that I truly cannot believe how all my seams are the SAME!!! Scant 1/4 inch, when I put the fabric just over to the line but not quite touching it, I get a perfect scant 1/4 inch seam EVERY time!!

I hear you sister!

babylock symphony, even better than my viking se.

I love my Viking Designer 1. It has a built in 1/4" inch stitch in it's programable stitches. Works beautifully!

great idea Kris

The new (expensive) Brother actually does atomaticly do a 1/4 inch seam. You don't have to guide it at all. It is a fabulous machine. If I hadn't just bought a new Viking I would have bought. I atomaticly threads your needle, as well. I am talking fully automatic with a camera that looks at the needle. Very Cool!
Judy

This sounds like the lint clogging the feed dogs again.Time for a complete cleaning. I could be wrong, but then again I could be right.

I love my Janome! Perfect 1/4"!

I have a#l Viking. The needle adjusts left and right.
I use the quarter inch foot that goes with my machine.
I change the needle position to the far right then move
it to 4.0. When cutting I line the ruler mark to the edge
of the fabric...not on the edge...if that makes sense.
You will wind up with a perfect scant quarter inch seam
every time.

Brenda from Wadesville In

I use the magnetic strip from walmart they use them on frig. magnet take your ruler put under presser foot and put needle on the 1/4 inch and lay strip on the side of it on and it stick to the machine.

Any machine on which I am not sewing }:o)

I puarchased a Bernina 75th aniversary patchwork model and it has the perfect 1/4 in foot.



colady

WoW!!! What a great idea! Thanks!!

We know this Don't we! HA HA! Marty from Hahira

I agree, it usually is not the machine. However, I have had several different brands, Singer, Viking, and now two BERNINIA's....first a 180 (very good model) I have recently upgraded to a 440 with embrodiery.....By far, the very best, features, attachments, ease of operation and yes, accuracy.

Remember, measure accurately, use a guide (there are several) and practice. (mark fabric, mark your machine, start slow and gradually increase speed, and have fun, Rome was not built in a day).

Hope this helps, I am truly a Berninia Girl now!!!!!!

I have a designer 2 huskvarna and it has the regular 1/4 setting but also a scant 1/4 setting that is just perfect i do all my quilt top sewing on this mching or my tredel