Do you ALWAYS have to "scant" your needle?
03-14-2015, 08:00 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tri-Cities, Washington
Posts: 757
Do you ALWAYS have to "scant" your needle?
So I finally got around to checking my actual 1/4" with both of my piecing feet on my Bernina and neither one of them were right without adjusting the needle position 1 click to the right. Whaaat? I got the foot with the guide recently and just assumed it would be correct ... It is a Bernina after all LoL. I had a generic plastic 1/4" foot that I used on an old Singer machine for years and it was always right. So when I got the Bernina I just assumed. Bad idea! Anyway I suspected the new foot with the guide was off after using it a few times, but the flat piecing foot too? I'm shocked. It hasn't been a problem because I haven't been trading blocks with anyone but this week I will. And now I know. So glad I checked! So what has been your experience with this issue?
03-14-2015, 09:47 AM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
On my Bernina 1230, I have to move the needle 1 click to the right to get an accurate scant 1/4". For years I had to place a post-it on my machine to remind me to move the needle! (Even now, if I haven't pieced for awhile, I need that post-it.) I've always thought the newer computerized machines should give the user the ability to default to the desired seam allowance. Do any of them do that? If-and-when my trusty 1230 bites the dust, I will certainly look for a machine with that capability!
03-14-2015, 12:54 PM
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
If your quarter inch foot works without adjustments, you are lucky! I have 3 machines that I piece with, "quarter inch" feet for all 3, and Ihave to adjust all 3. It does depend on your thread weight and fabric thickness.
03-14-2015, 03:29 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,571
My Viking has a 'scant' needle setting which I use with a regular foot all the time with no problem. Thought I'd try the 1/4" foot w/guide specifically for this machine. NOT a scant 1/4 inch at all. Took that puppy back to the dealer. I'm sticking with my known quantity.
03-14-2015, 03:55 PM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
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Am I thinking correctly that you "scant" your needle to get the inside of the seam, not the outside, to be the correct measurement? That you would put your needle in the place that it gives you the right size strip, block, piece, etc? So I would really have to sew three pieces together and measure the inside one, not the size of the actual seam?
03-15-2015, 02:49 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 410
I tried a 1/4" foot, but it didn't work for me. I can't remember the exact issue, but the basic problem was that I wasn't getting 1/4" seam. I've had better luck moving my needle and using my regular foot. I haven't used very many different machines, but they're all a little different and it's probably something that needs to be played with on any new machine.
03-15-2015, 04:21 AM
#9
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,476
Am I thinking correctly that you "scant" your needle to get the inside of the seam, not the outside, to be the correct measurement? That you would put your needle in the place that it gives you the right size strip, block, piece, etc? So I would really have to sew three pieces together and measure the inside one, not the size of the actual seam?
The size of the piece BETWEEN the seams is what matters.
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