My new throat plate

I dropped in here after sewing this morning and caught your question. I've used the single stitch throat plate for both free motion and piecing now. It is better for both. Whether it's significantly better is going to be a tough one to answer. My stitches weren't significantly bad to start with.

It's better for piecing because I no longer have to pay attention to getting the pieces under the presser foot just so to avoid the corner of the first piece getting chewed up.

It's better for FM in a hard to describe way. I still have to pay attention and exercise control, but it's just a little easier to get good stitches.

There's now festive blue painters tape across the zigzag dial on my machine. That may be an advantage right there.

--Lia

Thank you, Lia. I'll get out the straight stitch plate and give it a try. My stitches aren't terrible but it if might make them a little better, it would be worth the effort. Our grandchildren always enjoy reviewing the little notes I have taped here and there. There's one on the computer that says "frantic noise? defrag". Makes sense to them. Polly

Speaking of signs, my DH put a sign on the door to my sewing room in Florida to remind me to turn off the iron. Up north I have an auto-shut off iron, and never remembered to turn this one off since. Visitors chuckle when they see the sign on the door - he placed it at eye level. Never be embarrassed to leave notes to yourself, on your machine or anywhere else!

To further the research, I got out my straight stitch plate again. Last time I'd switched it out, I'd forgotten to replace it and have been using the zig zag stitch for quite a while. So, this weekend I pieced with it. Monday I SID quilted a large table topper with it. It does add an indefinable improvement; a slight improvement, but every bit helps. My quilting had been very nice anyhow; now the process is a tad smoother. As Lia said, it is not easy to describe. Pfilomina Pfaff and I are pleased. PAT in VA/USA

I trimmed the following posts:

Pat, did you know that there is another switch that 'locks' your feed dogs into position? Last time I took Pfoebe in for a cleaning--it came back with my being UNABLE to lower/raise them. I took it into "Pati's" SM repair shop and the fella showed me right there that you HAVE TO SET IT....it doesn't just happen. This is NOT the first time I had something MORE wrong with her after taking her in to the other unnamed place. Right next to the setting INSIDE the machine is a black 'switch' that goes right or left--you move that to 'lock/unlock' them. It's very close to the regular switch --you have to know where it is to move it. I was not pleased--and yet I was happy that it was an EASY FIX.

this is the 2nd time I have 'ruined' the bobbin spoke that holds the bobbin. ...just stitching over more than 2 layers of fabric.

Mr Joe says I need a WORKHORSE of a machine--apparently Pfoebe doesn't like to 'work hard'. SIGH

Butterfly (Not sure what to look for--need a good straight stitch and I do want a REALLY GOOD satin stitch))

Ms. B: I just looked and did not see any switch. In my SM, I have to slide a little cover right to drop the dogs, and return left to engage dogs. Pfilomina is #7570. What model number is Pfoebe?

Pfilomina IS a workhorse. I worked with this SM to make a canvas cover for a

16' kayak. This meant two very, very long seams, and some shorter seams to attach handles. NOT fun, but NO problems.

PAT in VA/USA

Quilter's Expression 2046 It's a black 'slider' that is close to the bobbin area. A lil to the right--. (I'm picturing this in my head so bear with me) It would be a smidge beyond where the tray slides off for sewing sleeves would stop.When you slide the tray back on for regular sewing there is a plastic protrudence to STOP the tray from going any further to the number dial area. Its right there next to that plastic protrudence.

Geeze Louise, this is hard to put in writing. Its RIGHT THERE--see where I'm pointing?????? I can : ) Can't e a pix until Pfoebe comes back home.

I'm not looking to spend a Grand on another machine....I know the Viking was about/smidge over that but that was in the early '80's..

Butterfly (looking up your Pfilomina )

Ok, Looked yours up.It has far too many bells and whistles for what I'm looking for. maybe it's more like a Viking Lily? I'm sorry I don't know what Pfaff has that's comparable.

Butterfly (Still hunting--other comments accepted)