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I too am pretty much self taught, and I love it. Put your big project aside for a few days and work on something small, table runners are my big thing right now. Everyone is getting them as gifts since I can get through them without crying finally. Then, after a week or two maybe you'll be ready to take on your big project again. Don't let it get you down, have some fun with it. :)
Great advice...... don't watch the needle....watch the fabric.
I have really struggled with my quarter inch seam also. AND I STILL DO. I have a 1/4 in foot...... but here's what helped me the most. The lines on a 3 x 5 card are exactly 1/4 inch apart. So if you put a card under your needle.... and sew an inch or two along the line nearest the edge.... that edge will be where your fabric should be for you to get a 1/4 inch seam. Then take a strip of blue (or black) tape and mark the exact place where your fabric should be. I hope that makes sense to you, honey. And as the others said... don't get discouraged. I called a good friend and whined about my seams and she said.... "just be consistent.... you want quarter inch but if all of your seams are consistent ... your quilt blocks will fit together."
I've been struggling with stitching in the ditch but my ditches need to be much wider for me to hit the middle LOL. I spent hours stitching ..... ripping out ....and re-stitching. It turned out okay but surely imperfect
I have the 1/4" presser foot but having more than one machine means it doesn't fit the other...
I use a magnet from my fridge ( Housework s**** ) and the tapemeassurer and go slow... ;)
Any magnet with a straight side will do.
http://befreetech.com/images/refrigerator_magnets.jpg
Hugs from me :)
Can you move your needle position so your 1/4 inch is actually one of the lines? If not, another good thing to use as a bumper is
moleskin, it's thicker so your fabric runs right along it. You can find it in the foot product aisle at any of the stores and it's what I used until I learned about and could afford a 1/4 in foot. I just cut a strip of it and put it where my 1/4 inch needed to be.
I'm not sure about using magnets. Don't magnets mess up some of the new fangled electronic machines?
Hugs,
They can Trish and I was about to comment on that, it is only a problem where there is magnetic storage devices like memory cards...so embroidery unit users beware. If all the computer components of the machine are 'solid state' then no problem...I work on the safe side and put nothing magnetic anywhere near my machine or computer for that matter. That includes those lovely magnetic pin holders, on my cutting table yes but not on the machine table.Quote:
Originally Posted by quiltingtrish
Lana, you made me laugh. I didn't know other people cried :-).Quote:
Originally Posted by Lana Monteith
you guys are awesome! Thanks for all the kind words and advice! I will look for a 1/4" foot next time I am out!!! The tape deals just arent good enough for me yet!!! I have a ton of index cards to I might try that with the tape combo!!
I do have a computerized machine so the magnetic guide is a no go for me!! :D
If you don't have a 1/4" presser foot but are able to move your needle position, just place a lined index card under your presser foot with the edge touching one of the lines and then lower your needle until it pierces through the next line to the left of the one on the edge of your presser foot. This will be an exact 1/4" seam. Note the setting on your machine after moving the needle so you can write it down for future reference. Hope this also helps.