Sewing Straight, Scant 1/4" Seams

Bev,

Does your Janome have an adjustable needle position? Any of us here, who are also in the Janome 6500 (and 6600) Yahoo group will tell you that the quarter inch foot isn't always exactly a quarter inch. This gets discussed day after day after... Many factors can cause it to vary slightly. Thickness of thread, fabric weight and needle position all come into play. You just need to test to find your perfect sweet spot.

Rita L.

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

This is so true. When I have the 'normal' presser foot on, my needle position for a good, scant quarter inch seam is about 5.6. This does vary, though. I check it with a ruler every time I change it. With my walking foot, the position is quite a bit further over - almost to the other side. The advantage of these positions is that the width of the feed dogs are working *with* you, rather than against. I have found that moving the needle position has served me much better than the quarter inch foot, which I also find a little wide for scant. For foundation piecing, I have to move it back to the centre or thereabouts, or I can't see exactly where the needle is going down. . In message , Rita in MA writes

On my Janome 6500 I use the clear open foot (I think its an 'F') and set the needle over to 6.00. This, on my machine gives me the 1/4" and uses all the feed dogs as the foot is a wider foot. Of course with this setting you do not use the centre mark on the foot.

I also use postit notes sometimes. I use a block about 1/8 to 1/4" high so it is a solid barrier. The length and of the barrier is around 2 or

3" and I set it in front of the needle so the fabric is guided on the correct line from some way out.

The sticky on the postit notes does not affect the machine at all. When the tackyness has worn off the note I tear that one off.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

mchsi

"Taria">

Here's what I find helpful: Find the spot that is 1/4" from your needle. Mark a line from there to the front edge of the bed of your machine. I used a very fine tip marker; you could also use masking tape (the blue stuff is less likely to leave a residue). Guide the edge of your fabric along that line rather than along the edge of your presser foot.

Julia in MN

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snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

mchsi

"Taria">

Yes, I did try moving the needle position for the first time yesterday and that seemed to help. Now that you mentioned that, it does make sense that other factors than just distance from the edge of the fabric will affect the final seam allowance size. So, I really need to make little test samples whenever I am working with a different fabric thickness and/or thread size.

Thanks! Bev in TX

One of the reasons I like the 1/4" foot is that it has a ridge on the right hand side. The same is true for my Bernina 1/4" foot (#57 -- not the #37, which does not have the ridge).

If your feet don't have a ridge, against what do you align the seam?

thanks, Bev > This is so true.

Sally,

Thanks for explaining the post-it-notes usage. Now I just need a trip to the office supply store :-).

If you are using the "F" foot, do you align the fabric with the side of the foot?

Bev > On my Janome 6500 I use the clear open foot (I think its an 'F') and set

Leslie,

I doubt that I will be getting a "quilter's" machine any time soon, so I'll just have to work through the issue.

My Bernina does do a better job than the Janome and I wish I had the space to have both up at one time. Not that I'm complaining :-). At least I have a space in which I can leave one machine up all the time

-- many do not even have that.

Thanks! Bev > This Janome problem of yours is the difference in a 'normal' sewing machin= e

Julia,

Thanks, I'll have to try that.

Bev > Here's what I find helpful: Find the spot that is 1/4" from your needle.

Ah, yes, I didn't make that clear did I. Sorry.

I move the needle so that the cut edges of the seam can be directed along the RHS of the presser foot. What I measure with my ruler is from the point of the needle to the edge of the presser foot. . In message , " snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com" writes

Absolutely! Three cheers for you! . In message , " snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com" writes

Good idea to bring it so far forward, Julia. I would favour the tape, because with a really thick fabric and thread, you would need less of a seam or the measurements of the blocks will be slightly out. . In message , Julia in MN writes

In one quilting class I took, the teacher had us sew together 5 strips (cut

1-1/2" wide) - then press them open. The final measurement should be exactly 5-1/2". If not, you need to adjust your needle position or where your fabric lies in relation to the foot. I have a Viking (Lily) which allows me to push a button to move the needle to the right or left by tiny increments - even when using the 1/4" setting. It's been a lifesaver many a time. It's a positive use of scrap fabrics, too and well worth the time spent.

Yes - just like Pat said.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

Check out the test method that Bonnie posted on her website.

She tests the scant 1/4 inch seam with an index card. I tried this with my group, and it really opened some eyes! I knew that the 1/4 inch foot that came with the Juki wasn't accurate, but this really showed how far it was out! I'll be piecing on my new Pfaff from now on - where a 1/4 inch foot produces a scant 1/4 inch. I've also been piecing with Masterpiece thread by Superior. It is fine but strong cotton.