My machine like to eat my fabric!!

[Susan M]

I have one machine that eats the corners and another that doesn't! So my easiest solution was to do all my chain piecing on the one that doesn't eat the corners. Silly I know and not really a solution. The paper method does work, too.

[Onetiredmomma]

I just asked about this at my machine dealer, and they said that sometimes the plate of your machine is a wider gap, and you can replace it with the one that only accommodates straight stitches. The only problem is then trying to remember that you have that plate on when you try for other (zigzag) stitches. Also keep resistance on the fabric as the feed dogs take it.

[Marebear]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and the comisserating
I started another rag quilt yesterday out of cotton, not flannel, and it went remarkably better - I'm sure since the fabric was stiffer. I sprayed it with Best Press too.
Thanks again

[Loonwatcher]

Had my machine in the shop for service and while the lady was checking it out I notice she held the threads taught as she started to sew. I asked about it and she also suggested that you don't start right on the edge but in a bit and when chain piecing just run a few stitches between pieces to move the first piece away and give you room to put the next piece in further before starting. Also said to manually put the needle down before sewing away. I like the paper idea above too - sounds like a good solution.

[bakermom]

I use paper when this happens to me. It seems to depend alot on the fabric, too.

when I learned to sew I was taught to hold onto the thread as I started. I'm very lax about that now-until I have the fabric-eating issue. It does make a difference.