fabrics aren't feeding equally
 

i have a singer 301a

as i'm piecing my first "real" quilt, i noticed that no matter how carefully i pin things... my seams aren't lining up. after some arguing with myself and my machine, i started to realize that the two pieces of fabric are not going under the presser foot at the same rate. the lower piece of fabric is going through at a slightly faster rate.

for now, i'm mis-matching my seams to compensate. this is all fine and good for the next hour or so... until we go out to dinner... but i don't think it should be the way i do things long-term.

help, please.

thanks in advance

You should get a walking foot for your machine, it will help to feed your fabrics evenly.

Also, try using a glue stick. I started using the glue stick, then putting the Clover Wonder Clips on it to hold it in place, then remove the clips as I sew and it has been like magic.

Try adjusting your presser foot pressure - I can't remember if this type of misfeeding means your pressure is too high or too low, but twiddling it should help.

i'm sorry... i might have not been clear. it's not during the quilting process. it's during the piecing process.

Jennifer23, presser foot pressure? interesting. i'll look into that. thanks

Is there a walking foot for the 301A? I was under the impression that the slant needle design machines didn't have a walking foot. I agree with the person who suggested tweeking the pressure on the presser foot.

Google says yes. Sew classic carries them but they are out of stock.

if you are sewing two layers of normal weight, not stretch, cotton or cotton blend, this should not be happening. I'd check to make sure your foot is lined up square with the dogs, and that you are using a NARROW foot, not a wider zigzag foot that may give you a 1/4" gap, but does not line up correctly with the dogs.

Also check the bottom of the foot and make sure it's smooth so not catching the top fabric in any way. Then try adjusting your foot pressure and see if that works.

though with my last quilt, I had one cotton fabric that was lighter weight, and had a lot more "give" to it. it didn't feed at a different rate, but wanted to stretch as it was sewn, so I had to be careful with that one.

thanks. i'll spend some time checking the foot, the dogs, and the pressure.

Yep. I used to have one made by Singer.