What features do you actually use on your sewing machine?
05-26-2009, 08:14 AM
#21
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Athens Ga
Posts: 11,420
Originally Posted by k3n
Originally Posted by Ninnie
Mostly I just use a #12 quilting needle and a thimble!
Ninnie
K x
threading them can drive you to a glass of wine!
Ninie
05-26-2009, 08:26 AM
#22
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somerset, England
Posts: 10,686
Originally Posted by Ninnie
I do tend to bend a lot of them! :lol: :lol:
threading them can drive you to a glass of wine!
Ninie
K x
05-26-2009, 08:34 AM
#23
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Athens Ga
Posts: 11,420
Originally Posted by k3n
Originally Posted by Ninnie
I do tend to bend a lot of them! :lol: :lol:
threading them can drive you to a glass of wine!
Ninie
K x
Ninnie
05-26-2009, 08:44 AM
#25
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: AZ and CT
Posts: 4,898
*I RARELY use the regular presser foot for piecing or quilting - much prefer the open-toe foot .
*I NEVER use 1/4" foot - prefer to move the needle and have open-toe foot really 'grab' the fabric.
*I LOVE Pfaff's IDS instead of having to attach an even-feed or walking foot - means I can use ANY fancy stitch I want to use - absolutely no limitations.
*I LOVE the needle threader. For those of you who don't have one, there's a separate needle threader for Pfaff sergers you can buy for about $3 that is a small miracle. Works on ANY needle. Better than floss needle threaders.
*Stitch-in-ditch foot has lots of uses beyond s-i-d: move the needle position to top-stitch, stitch 1/4" from seam; join 2 pieces of batting;more that I can't think of right now
*the warning light about bobbin about to be empty
*I wish I had a knee-lift like the Bernina!
*the thread cutter is handy when I remember to use it!
*I'm using my Pfaff 2170 for paper piecing for the FIRST time, and the automatic presser foot DOWN is driving me NUTS. How do I stop it from doing that so I can position the needle where I want it?
*I NEVER use 1/4" foot - prefer to move the needle and have open-toe foot really 'grab' the fabric.
*I LOVE Pfaff's IDS instead of having to attach an even-feed or walking foot - means I can use ANY fancy stitch I want to use - absolutely no limitations.
*I LOVE the needle threader. For those of you who don't have one, there's a separate needle threader for Pfaff sergers you can buy for about $3 that is a small miracle. Works on ANY needle. Better than floss needle threaders.
*Stitch-in-ditch foot has lots of uses beyond s-i-d: move the needle position to top-stitch, stitch 1/4" from seam; join 2 pieces of batting;more that I can't think of right now
*the warning light about bobbin about to be empty
*I wish I had a knee-lift like the Bernina!
*the thread cutter is handy when I remember to use it!
*I'm using my Pfaff 2170 for paper piecing for the FIRST time, and the automatic presser foot DOWN is driving me NUTS. How do I stop it from doing that so I can position the needle where I want it?
05-26-2009, 09:00 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,382
On my machines, I've used the following:
1. 1/4 seam stitch, with my edge foot. Makes piecing a breeze.
2. Alphabet stitches with the memory. I use it to label the backing of my quilts.
3. Needle up/down. Good for piecing multiple items sewn one after another.
4. Walking foot and guide. For SID quilting.
5. Bobbin winder.
6. Satin stitch. Great for fixing holes in sheets, etc. from the dog's nails.
7. Thread cutter.
8. Automatic button hole foot. Creates the perfect size button hole, based on the button.
9. If I ever do any fused applique or crazy quilting, I'll try out some of the decorative stitches. Still on my to do list.
1. 1/4 seam stitch, with my edge foot. Makes piecing a breeze.
2. Alphabet stitches with the memory. I use it to label the backing of my quilts.
3. Needle up/down. Good for piecing multiple items sewn one after another.
4. Walking foot and guide. For SID quilting.
5. Bobbin winder.
6. Satin stitch. Great for fixing holes in sheets, etc. from the dog's nails.
7. Thread cutter.
8. Automatic button hole foot. Creates the perfect size button hole, based on the button.
9. If I ever do any fused applique or crazy quilting, I'll try out some of the decorative stitches. Still on my to do list.
05-26-2009, 02:31 PM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,466
On my Bernina 153QE, I use some of the decorative stitches that are pre-loaded but have NEVER downloaded any of the other stitches available. Actually, I never even looked at them to see what is available :oops:
The knee lift thing didn't lift my skirt. Old dog, new trick, I guess. I keep thinking I should force myself to use it more so that it will be second nature, as I often hear how great it is, but haven't done that yet, either.
LOVE my 1/4" foot, that is almost always on my machine. Recently did a few bags and had to use the guides on the plate - wow, that took some thought. Although I started w/ garment sewing some 40 years ago (hey, I was a little girl!), I haven't done that in many years, and so haven't used the lines. I have the zipper foot, but put generally put zippers in bags using a regular foot.
Needle down is a must for me. Sometimes use the walking foot, as well as the grid guide. I have somehow gotten my needle threader out of alignment twice now, don't bother having it adjusted any more. So far, I can thread the needle w/out trouble but guess some day I won't be able to and will have to have it fixed.
Embroidery doesn't do a thing for me, so no desire for that. I think I'd like the BSR on the new Berninas, but have no burning desire and not enough $, lol. I've heard many times how much easier that makes FMQ. I can send several tops for quilting, though, for what a new machine would cost, and am not sure I'd like doing it enough anyhow. I don't want to buy a pricey machine to find that I don't like doing what I thought I had to have it for. How do you decide to spend that kind of money if you haven't done it? And if you buy it and don't like it, then what? :shock:
The knee lift thing didn't lift my skirt. Old dog, new trick, I guess. I keep thinking I should force myself to use it more so that it will be second nature, as I often hear how great it is, but haven't done that yet, either.
LOVE my 1/4" foot, that is almost always on my machine. Recently did a few bags and had to use the guides on the plate - wow, that took some thought. Although I started w/ garment sewing some 40 years ago (hey, I was a little girl!), I haven't done that in many years, and so haven't used the lines. I have the zipper foot, but put generally put zippers in bags using a regular foot.
Needle down is a must for me. Sometimes use the walking foot, as well as the grid guide. I have somehow gotten my needle threader out of alignment twice now, don't bother having it adjusted any more. So far, I can thread the needle w/out trouble but guess some day I won't be able to and will have to have it fixed.
Embroidery doesn't do a thing for me, so no desire for that. I think I'd like the BSR on the new Berninas, but have no burning desire and not enough $, lol. I've heard many times how much easier that makes FMQ. I can send several tops for quilting, though, for what a new machine would cost, and am not sure I'd like doing it enough anyhow. I don't want to buy a pricey machine to find that I don't like doing what I thought I had to have it for. How do you decide to spend that kind of money if you haven't done it? And if you buy it and don't like it, then what? :shock:
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