Piecing with a FW
 

I recently acquired a FW and it only has the original foot. I want to do my piecing with this machine and I feel that I need either a 1/4" foot or a guide. What I want to know from those of you who piece with your FW is what you feel is your best way of sewing an accurate 1/4" seam. (regular 1/4" foot, 1/4" foot with the metal piece built in, guide that screws to the machine bed, or a combo?) Thanks a heap for your wisdom. Nancy

My Husq +1 really does not like to start a seam without a leader or paper under the start. It has a manuel thread cutter and I have an idea it is designed to start with the threads still in the cutter. I've tried it and no birds nest tangle if I do. I haven't sewn that way because the threads tend to be in the way. N

I've had better success with a guide that screws to the bed of the machine or painter's tape than with the 1/4" or 1/4" with metal piece feet.

We just had a thread on using various fabric guides, I think it was titled something like 'How to get scant 1/4" seams or something like that. Just a week or so ago. Lots of information in that thread. Like a dummy I didn't bookmark it.

Anyway, I use a bed mounted guide and a ruler that is punched at the width I want my seam to be. I lower the needle into the punch hole and then line up the guide with the edge of the ruler. That way the seam is based on the needle, not the foot.

Not all feet, and not all presser foot shafts are the same, so if you use a 1/4" foot with a guide or a mark then you need to make sure you're getting the seam width you want.

I have a Singer 237 that when I have the 1/4" foot with the guide on it I actually get a seam wider than 1/4".

Joe

Mike,
Thanks. I bookmarked it this time.

Joe

I purchased an after market 1/4 in foot for straight short shank machine... Also use it on my 201 Singer :)

Judy in Phx, AZ

I actually use the hemmer foot from my 1891 puzzle box. There are five different sizes including 1/4" and they all work perfectly on all my short shank Singers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_....PuzzleBox.jpg

I was fortunate enough to get a box of feet that had a 1/4" foot for my FW. It sews a great scant 1/4". I purchased a 1/4 w/guide for my Viking and although the foot measured correctly, my seams were larger than 1/4" with that one as well. The scant setting on that machine is perfect. Otherwise I used to use a magnetic seam guide on my old mechanical machine or painters tape. I find the magnetic guide (or one you screw to the bed of the machine) more accurate unless you're using a pile of sticky something.

I have used 1/4 inch graph paper or index cards with 1/4 inch lines to check where the edge of the presser foot is in relation to where the needle comes down.

I liken it to driving down a road and knowing where the edge of the road is in relation to where my car is.

One eventuslly learns that maybe one has 1/16 inch of fabric showing to the right of the presser foot, or thst it is exactly even with the edge - whatevrr works.

I've also marked the seam lines on the fabric to learn where the presser foot edge is.

These sentences are rrally awkward - I hope at least some of you are " getting" what I mean.

bearisgray,

I got what you said perfectly. I have a good eye for measurements but my biggest problem is I can't sew a straight seam without a guide to save my life. Lots of spinal arthritis and messed up disks that exacerbates the problem too.

Joe