Bevsie

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

Silver Needle

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

sandy l

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

lisalovesquilting

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

maviskw

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.

brenwalt

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.....................

Barb in Louisiana

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.

jitkaau

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.

carolynjo

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.

Pete

Where do you get the needles by the 100s?