bearisgray

My seams are "close enough" so that the unit or block ends up to be approximately the size I'm trying for.

My tolerance - after pressing - is about plus or minus 1/8 of an inch.

Perfect? No. Is the end result satisfactory? Usually.

Some fabrics are easier to handle than others.

It's a bit like learning to drive a car - after a while one learns where one is in relation ro the road, etc.

Practice and knowing one's machine also help.

cindypierce

I asked my land lady. She does alterations curtains quilts.well everything! She says she puts a straight edge under the presser foot.(machine off and unplugged!!!) once the edge is lined up where she wants it 1/4 inch she draws a line with a pastel permanent marker all the way across the sewing bed. She says it keeps her from "veering across the field". She talks sewing like she drives a car. "Follow the road child!"

oldbalt99

I also have problem with straight stitching. I've learned to adjust my work to my disabilities. For example, my first rotory cutter came with a guide arm that allows me to increase or decrease a seam allowance up to or down to an inch. I use a number two pencil to draw quarter inch lines on my fabric when I'm sewing by hand. We all do what is necessary to make our projects come out right.

windycitygal

Isew fairly straight seams and sew at a medium pace sewing a little bit faster on large blocks. Its the star blocks that I have yet to master-seems like I cannot get those to line up right to save my life.

Peggy Jeanne

Some days I do better than others. Once in a while I have to walk away. I guess it depends on my sewing mood!

auniqueview

If my pins are in straight, my seams are straight. I usually keep the zigzag foot on my machine, and it seems to allow me to "frame" my straight stitches easier for some reason.