Is there a foot to achieve a SCANT 1/4 inch seam??
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,327
Some of my machines don't let me move the needle, so I have to use some kind of a guide. A quarter inch foot does a quarter inch, so have to squinch the fabric over. Not easy for me. I still struggle with the 1/4 inch.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Finger Lakes, NY
Posts: 1,873
I have a Janome 6300 and I adjust the width to 4.5 and use the 1/4 inch foot and it gives me a scant 1/4 inch.
It's just where you can adjust the stitch length and width. I assume your machine has that feature.
It's just where you can adjust the stitch length and width. I assume your machine has that feature.
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I find it a lot easier to use moleskin than a special foot. As someone else mentioned, moleskin is available in the foot section of pharmacies. I use my rotary cutter to cut strips of it to have on hand.
To position the moleskin, I use my favorite ruler (you can also use 4-to-the-inch graph paper) and lower the needle so it touches a little to the right of the 1/4" mark. I make sure the ruler is positioned straight from front to back (I often place another ruler next to the one I am using and position the straight lines on the ruler in relation to the needle plate markings), then lower the presser foot to hold it in place. I remove the backing paper from a strip of moleskin and position it so it butts right up against the edge of my ruler. I like the moleskin to run as far as possible to both the front and back of the ruler; helps me keep the fabric feeding evenly.
I find with this physical barrier that I can sew long strips together much faster than by using my eyes alone, plus it is easier and more accurate.
To position the moleskin, I use my favorite ruler (you can also use 4-to-the-inch graph paper) and lower the needle so it touches a little to the right of the 1/4" mark. I make sure the ruler is positioned straight from front to back (I often place another ruler next to the one I am using and position the straight lines on the ruler in relation to the needle plate markings), then lower the presser foot to hold it in place. I remove the backing paper from a strip of moleskin and position it so it butts right up against the edge of my ruler. I like the moleskin to run as far as possible to both the front and back of the ruler; helps me keep the fabric feeding evenly.
I find with this physical barrier that I can sew long strips together much faster than by using my eyes alone, plus it is easier and more accurate.
#15
Originally Posted by watterstide
try Moleskin..it is sticky on one side..removable..you will find it in the foot area of your drug store. just cut a strip of it.
the rest of the advise was great!
the rest of the advise was great!
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The California Hills
Posts: 626
Thanks for the suggestions of moleskin and even a smaller stack of post-its!!
Also, the comment about cutting with the ruler measurement marking a bit on the fabric instead of beyond the fabric. I learned that the hard way on my first big quilt that had numerous pieces per block--I ended up almost a 1/4 inch short on every single block so I had to cut them down and then the matching sub-seams were not even from block to block. When I thought about it, I realized that the way I placed the ruler on the fabric made the cut just a hair short; so that combined with the fabric "lost" in the seam I was bound to end up a bit short on the block size.
Also, the comment about cutting with the ruler measurement marking a bit on the fabric instead of beyond the fabric. I learned that the hard way on my first big quilt that had numerous pieces per block--I ended up almost a 1/4 inch short on every single block so I had to cut them down and then the matching sub-seams were not even from block to block. When I thought about it, I realized that the way I placed the ruler on the fabric made the cut just a hair short; so that combined with the fabric "lost" in the seam I was bound to end up a bit short on the block size.
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