What stitch needle plates do you use on your machines?
 

When I bought my Elna 7200 it was supplied with 2 stitching plates, one for straight stitching and one for zig-zag or other fancy stitches, and my little old Frister Rossman machine has 2 stitch plates as well.

Well a few of my Ladies are upgrading their basic sewng machines as they are loving quilting, but................. On a lot of the modern machine they are only supplying them with the zig-zag plate and a lot of models don't even give you the option of buying a straight stitch plate as they are not making them, like the new Frister Rossman

Now I use my straight stitch plate A LOT for FMQ and especially for piecing as it stops a lot of the tangles you can get.

Is it just me, do you Ladies have both stitching plates or don't you change them, I would really like your opinion on this as to me it's important.

I use the straight stitch plate when I'm doing piecing. I had to buy it separately because my Bernina came only with the zigzag plate. When I need to zigzag I sometimes forget to change the plate - and then wind up with a broken needle.

I only use the zig-zag plate on my DHSM because I am notorious for switching the stitch but not the plate (or foot). Clunk goes the needle.

I mainly use the straight stitch plate since I mostly do piecing. I do really love it and feel that it is a neccessity especially if you have a machine that does the larger than normal stitch width. I have a Bernina and it has the 9mm instead of the normal (5mm) capability. The opening on the 9mm plate is just too wide for piecing

I have both plates and use mainly the straight stitch plate since I do mostly piecing.

Done that so many times :) At least I change my needles frequently and as I buy them by the 100, because of classes, they are cheap enough not to worry about it. Thanks for your prompt replies Ladies.

If I had a choice, I would use a straight stitch plate. However, the company that makes my brand of machine does not even offer a straight stitch plate, only a zigzag plate! Can you believe it?

Yes I can, one of my Group bought the new Heavy Duty Singer and it hasn't got one, and she has had nothing but problems trying to do piecing with it and the New Frister Rossman quilting machine http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/frister979_info.htm doesn't come with one either. BTW I wouldn't recommend this machine, my pupils are delighted with it but besides not having a straight stitch plate but for FMQ it doesn't have an extra high lift presser foot and it's not very fast. They got a good deal with lots of goodies and are delighted with it but not for a serious quilter IMO.

I use my straight stitch plate for piecing and FMQ and the zig zag plate for machine embrodiery. I, too, like the others have forgotten more times than not to change the plate. Not only have I broken needles, I also scarred my plate so it has a barb that I tried to file smooth, but no luck so now I have to use the left hole. Anybody have any suggestions on how to get the barb out? Thanks in advance.

Wouldn't be without my straight stitch plate that came with my machine!! And the feet that come with it. :)

Luckily my Pfaff can be set to only allow straight stitches when I use it.

I had to purchase the straight stitching plate for my Bernina. I use it for all of my quilting; but use the zigzag plate for all other sewing. I would not like to piece or do FMQ without the straight stitch plate.

I too had to purchase a straight stitch needle plate and use all the time that I am just straight stitching. It just works better.

I have a Viking and you can set an indicator when you change to the single hole plate. Once set, it won't let you switch to a stitch or setting where the needle will hit the plate. Really saved lots of needles once I got in the habit of setting the indicator.

My Babylock has both plates, but I don't usually bother to change, even for piecing. My machine will not stitch if you have it set on zig zag, or a decorative stitch, if the single hole plate is in place!

My machine didn't come with one either. I had to buy a generic one and although they swore it was made to fit the model of machine it had, I still had to use my dremel to modify it to seat correctly in place.

I use both. I put a magnetic strip on my (non-computerized) machine and put the other stitch plate there. It is real handy to not have to dig for it.

piney

I use the straight stitch plate in my old Bernina because I use it exclusively for FMQ.

...the straight stitch plate in my Featherweight because it doesn't have the capacity for zigzagging (and I don't have an attachment).

...the zigzag stitch plate in my Singer 401A because I use it for piecing and general sewing.

I use both on my machines that have zigzag capabilities. Since I mostly piece on my treadle it only has a straight stitch

I love my straight stitch plate for piecing and free motion. For piecing, the ends of the fabric doesn't get dragged down into the throat plate. And for free motion.....I think I get a better stitch quality.

Now my regular throat plate I have been using quite a bit for buttonhole stitching on an applique project.

I couldn't see living without both.

Some lady was saying she just used tape to make her zigzag straight the other day, with I could find the thread for you

I have one plate that does both kinds of stitching. Its a Brother

I use both stitch plates. The straight stitch plate for piecing and FMQ, the regular plate for everything else.

You can use a jewelers cloth or take the plate to your sewing repair person they can file it off for you

Thank you! I'll do just that.

Wow, I never knew there was any other type of stitch plate other than the one that has always come on my machines. I am off to ebay to see about getting one for my Husky Sapphire. Thanks ladies you are all the best!

Boy am I dumb! I have never looked for a generic straight stitch plate! That will be my very next task when I leave the QB! I love your little sweetie in the picture for your avatar! She says "I've been sewing so much I need to lay here awhile and rest"!

"I've been sewing so much I need to lay here awhile and rest"!

She does so much quilt testing that she gets so tired, heehee

I only use straight stitch machine and only have one Stitch plate.

I sent off a request for machines that have straight stitch plates to an online supplier and they are quoting £35/$56 for a straight stitch plate, is that a rip off or what?

I mostly use the zig-zag plate for every everything...I tend to go back and forth between projects and have broke too many needles. If I know for sure I will ONLY be doing straight stitch for a long time, I will use my straight stitch plate, and then I put a REALLY bright colored post it note on my machine as a reminder what plate I have on. That way, I am much less likely to break a needle, though, it has still happened.

Hi,

I use my straight stitch needle plate for FMQing and to not forget and get that broken needle this is what I did.
I put a small piece of bright red electrical tape kiddie corner on the top right corner of the plate.....so I always know I have my straight stitch plate on. Doesn't interfere with anything, just a reminder to me!

Really helps me remember to change the needle plate.

Bev

I use the straight stitch plate for everything, except when I need to zigzag.

The Janome Horizon only comes with one plate, but has a "program" that allows you to set it for straight or for zig-zag.

Same with me. I use a small scrap of fabric as a leader to stop the tangles and fabric going down inside.

What do you do with those broken needles? My friend Judi says throw the sharp end in your "sharps" container for the trash, and pound the other end in the wall to hang lightweight wall hangings. When you change your mind and want to put other hangings up that need to be hung differently, just pull out the broken needle and put it where you want it. That little hole made by the broken needle won't show.

Single Stitch Plate is a MUST
 

A single stitch plate is a MUST !! .... and you are correct, the option to obtain one just isn't there anymore. I have "collected" four sewing machines over the years. One is set up with the single stitch plate. Another also has a single stitch plate. The 3rd has the zigzag plate and the 4th has the single stitch plate. I use the SS plate for more than the zigzag. Have no idea what has gotten into the manufacturers.....................

I love a straight line stitch plate, but do all my piecing with a zig-zag. Reason: I have to move the needle to get an accurate 1/4" & especially scant 1/4" & you can't do that with a straight line plate. I, too, have broken needles, forgetting which plate I have on the machine.

Stitching with my zigzag plate, I have to have a leader or hold the thread when I start. Otherwise, I get birds nest & other worse things....fabric gets punched all the way down into the bobbin & more. Regardless...I will piece on any machine, but some things make it easier & moving the needle is a biggy for me.

I use both and one can really notice the difference that a single stitch plate makes to fmq - I would not buy a machine without one.

I would try to make a straight stitch plate from a credit card if one did not come with my machine. Some one also posted just the other day about using tape to make a straight stitch opening for the needle. Good luck finding something that works for you.

Where do you get the needles by the 100s?