Its like Rocket Science..SERIOUSLY!!!

[rebeccas-sewing]

Emmari,

This cartoon really tickled my funny bone!

Rebecca

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.



Hugs from me

[rebeccas-sewing]

Since you have a computerized machine just move the needle 1/4" away from the edge of the presser foot. Line up the edge of your fabric with the edge of the presser foot as you sew. As you are sewing keep your eye on the edge of the fabric to make sure it lines up with the edge of the foot.

I agree with Mia. Consistency is the most important thing. If you sew every seam the same throughout the quilt, everything should fit together nicely. That 1/4" foot should help you stay consistent since you're running the edge of the fabric along the guide on the side of the foot.

[sunflower1944]

I love my 1/4" foot, it is a life-saver!

[Shannon]

I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one that struggles with keeping my seams at exactly a 1/4 inch! I hadn't said anything because I didn't want the ladies here to figure out that I am totally inept at a straight seam.

They are right about Jenny's video, she makes it look really easy but more importantly..she shows you that it is possible to do this quilting thing.

I only have one friend that sews and her favorite quote is "if you can't see the mistake from a galloping horse, don't worry about it", she's from the south.. what can I say?

I think the biggest thing (my theory anyway) is that it's not supposed to be perfect, if it was you could buy it at the store.

Heck, even Nancy Zeiman (sewing with Nancy) said that she sometime has her thumb over a mistake when she is showing something that she is sewing..if it's good enough for a professional like her, it's gotta be good enough for me.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[MarianneK]

Yes, you need a presser foot that will give you an accurate 1/4". And then, practice, and practice some more. One of the first projects I made when I first started 20 years ago was a baby quilt with 3-dimensional pinwheels! I must have made 100 blocks to get 20 the same size. But I learned so much doing that one quilt. I would also suggest making a bunch of 9-patch blocks. That will give you the needed practice to get that seam straight and at 1/4". It will be easier and less noticeable to trim down the blocks to put them together into a quilt.

[Leigh]

I used to have one of the magnet guides....but found it was more trouble then help really. For years I was just lining up between the two prongs of my right feed dogs because that was the place. Recently I bought a 1/4 inch foot. (I had to buy it with the shank 'cause I couldn't get one for my old machine.) IT IS HEAVEN!! So much easier then what I was doing and SO fewer mistakes. I really didn't think I would love it as much as I do....It is worth the $25 or whatever. really.

[jrchapman]

I find it difficult because, being in Europe, all the markings on my machine are in centimetres, I have to buy fabric in metres but all the patterns are in inches. Even the British ones!

I bought a quarter inch presser foot which is really handy. I used my mum's quarter inch foot with a guide but I found that it bent out of shape over time. I'd definitely recommend the presser foot though.

[toggpine]

My presser foot wiggles. I don't know if it is from the fact that I switch it out with the other specialty feet, zipper, buttonhole, etc, but it does wiggle a little bit. I have found that the 1/4" guide that is on the throat plate is a little harder to see, but doesn't move. I just fix my eyes in the spot where the fabric needs to be fed through.
If I watch the needle constantly I'll mess up. The only time I really watch the needle is when I am making points.If you watch where the needle crosses at the seam and stitch on or just barely outside of the point intersection, the tips won't get eaten up in the seam allowance.
Sometimes the bulk of a several layers of seams will cause the fabric to feed unevenly. I usually slow down when coming to a thicker seam. This allows me to keep control of the fabric as it feeds and you don't end up with wiggly seams as the foot goes over the hump. I have also found that a bamboo skewer can help keep things where they belong without smooshing your fingers. Some places sell them as stilettos. I can get a package of 100 for a couple of dollars and have some handy sticks for snacks on the grill too!

[Mimis-quilts]

Trish, I couldn't have said it better!! That is exactly what I was going to suggest.
Kim, by all means don't give up! I learned by watching my mom, but never had any help when it came to making my own. Just keep at it, and as a couple of the others said, sometimes it doesn't matter. Eventhough I've made several quilts, I am still learning and perfecting!
Pat

Hello Kim - and welcome! We surely don't want you getting discouraged.
I use a piece of black electric tape - but maybe you'd want to use a piece of blue painters tape. The black electric tape can leave a residue on your machine.
Anyways, try this. Take your blue painters tape and cut off a piece about 3" long. Put that on your machine where the edge of your fabric would butt up against it. Now, put 2 pieces of scrap material in your machine and put your needle down like you are going to start sewing a seam. Sew a little bit. Take the fabric off and measure from where the seam runs to the edge of the fabric. That's what you want as 1/4". So, if your seam is too big, move the fabric over a little and your painters tape and keep doing that until you get it right. When you get it right, that will be where you always want your fabric edge to butt up against.
I hope this made sense to help you out.

Oh, and when you get to the end of a seam, the fabric wants to do its own thing and turn inwards unless you pay close attention and try to hold it straight - some people use a stiletto or even maybe a pair of tweezers would work.

Hugs,

[Elaine]

That's what I use, 1/4" foot with the guide. Helps me.