KerryK

I love Love LOVE this!

happyquiltmom

A couple of tips:

Don't watch the needle as you sew. Keep your eye on the 1/4" mark on your throat plate. Try this and you will be surprised at how much your stitching improves!
Use a tool to help guide the fabric, especially at bulky seams, at the beginning of the seam and at the end. I use a large corsage pin.
Remove pins as you sew. Hitting a pin with the needle can seriously mess up the timing on your machine, break needles, or cause burrs on the bobbin case. Yikes!

happyquiltmom

After going back and reading all the replies, I see that some of you are having trouble with rulers that are not square. I use ONLY Creative Grid rulers. They are accurate, easy to read, and have grippers on the back to prevent sliding.

MrsM

I bought a 1/4 inch foot to help, I'm better but still not perfect. I think it adds to the charm of my quilts. At least that is what I am telling myself. lol

susie-susie-susie

I always use a guide to keep my seams straight. On long seams speed is the word, but on shorter seams slow is better, also I used to sew over pins, but no more. Once you get the rhythm going, you can remove the pins as you go along. I only use pins to match seams or for points. My seams are usually straight and 1/4 inch. You notice that I said usually.
Sue

CarrieC

I do not always sew straight. I own about a dozen seam rippers though! Guess why?

Slow and steady usually helps me, and I'll admit it - I'm fanatical about seam ripping when it isn't right.

KathyKat

I can't sew straight enough but I keep trying!

urgodschild2

I love this thread. I don't do perfect seams but in my mind they are perfect. Being new back to quilting there is so much to learn. I find that i do go slow when piecing together. I agree with all those who said that as long as the quilt keeps them warm and cuddly like I am hugging them, then that is all that matters. I don't' think they are looking for perfection. Although I guess If I was entering a quilt into a show I might try for perfection.........Not gonna do that one. But I can admire all those who are brave enough to do that so the rest of us can go to the show and admire their work. I'll just settle for Johnny Cash, Elvis, the aliens and the cats helping me out.

fabrichore

Ditto, I do my best. and if my bests veers to the right or left so be it, as long as it comes out fairly straight and looks nice I am happy, spent way too many hours using my seam ripper, for a straight line no such entity in my world......LOL

gypsylady5

1-4 good quilting buddy! Slow and straight. Put your pins further in so you don't sew over them. Mark the seam if you are having a real problem and sew on the straight line.