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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: REDSTU1
Date: 08-03-2004, 12:38 PM (1 of 14)
Ok don't laught at me but I just got back into sewing. I am doing a fair job but for some reason my seams aren't as straight as I would like. I think I saw somewere hem guildes? Do they work? can you come up with something that I can do that won't cost me money? I know I can look at my plate on the sewing machine but my seam still looks wabbly. I will give you an example of what happened. I made hubby's computer room a pair of curtians out of some scrap material. I didn't notice that the material was a little uneven. I sewed a decent looking bottom but when we hung them up they go up on one end (uneven). Also a lot of times when I am sewing it seems like the fabric gets out of my control and my seams are never straight. Ok now that I have problably confused you. Any help or tips would be appreciated. 
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17 
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From: paroper
Date: 08-03-2004, 01:09 PM (2 of 14)
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A lot of machine have guides that come with them. Look and see if your machine has screw holes near the slide plate. If you do, there may be an inexpensive guide available for you. Now, if you have a guide it may look like a flat plate with a 90 degree bend on one side and a screw in the top that goes into a slit that allows you to move the plate. If you have that, you just put the fold on the mark on your slide plate where you want it be it 5/8, 1/2 or whatever and tighten the screw. My machine has a bar that slides into the back of the presser feet. It is small and round and looks like a strange bent "7". The arm of the 7 is a little bit flat to guide the material. That bar just slides into the back of my feet and there is a screw to secure it. If you happen to have this kind of guide it is nice because you raise it with your foot. In the past I have purchased a cool guide that you could easily make. The one I purchased was a long (5 or 6 inch) 3/8 inch plastic rectangle with two sided tape on the bottom. I could just pick it up and move it if I needed it. I seldom use a guide, but this one has been nice when I have had creepy fabric that I can bump up against it. It would be easy to make with any solid straight edge and some two sided tape. I don't think I would leave it on my machine all the time because of tape residue. Mine came with some waxy paper over the tape and I'd just peal it off and stick it back on when I was through with the guide. Some people use a strip of masking tape if they just need a mark. I have a peal and stick measuring tape that I line up with the last guide on my slide plate and extend on for 6 inches so that I have a guide for large hems and the like. Maybe there is something here you can use.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: REDSTU1
Date: 08-03-2004, 01:23 PM (3 of 14)
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Thank you
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 08-03-2004, 01:35 PM (4 of 14)
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I have heard that you can put a large rubber band around the arm of your machine set on the exact width of the seam you are sewing and then remove it when you are done. Some people have said this helps them better then putting tape on their machine as it is thicker and does not leave any residue. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: REDSTU1
Date: 08-03-2004, 03:11 PM (5 of 14)
Would you please explain more about the rubber band I ma having a hard time picture it and how it would work. Thanks 
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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From: beach girl
Date: 08-03-2004, 10:41 PM (6 of 14)
| Hi Lori, Maybe I can explain it to you about the rubber band. When sitting in front of your machine,look at the throat plate ( that's where your needle goes down into the machine when you sew ). On the right side of that is where the rubber band goes. Slide it under your machine & over to that spot. Then put your needle in the down position & measure over from the needle to where you want your folded hem to be in order to get the depth of hem you want. like 1", 2" or 3" hem. Hope I didn't confuse you more than ever. Don't feel bad for being confused, your frustrated at the moment. We all have been there. Theresa |
User: beach girl
Member since: 11-08-2003 Total posts: 72 
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From: REDSTU1
Date: 08-03-2004, 11:16 PM (7 of 14)
Thank you that explains it. 
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 08-04-2004, 02:13 PM (8 of 14)
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Sorry I didn't explain myself very well but beach girl did a fine job for me. Use a very wide rubber band if you try this as it is thicker and your material will stay against it better. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: REDSTU1
Date: 08-04-2004, 03:08 PM (9 of 14)
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Thank you that is something that I am going to try. Very easy to do and doesn't cost anything because I have some big rubber bands. Thank you
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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From: beach girl
Date: 08-04-2004, 06:50 PM (10 of 14)
 Violet, I didn't mean to butt in , I waited to see if you were answering back but guess you got out of the site. I did forget to mention about the wide rubber band. She sounded so frustrated I just felt for her. Please forgive me for jumping in. Theresa
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User: beach girl
Member since: 11-08-2003 Total posts: 72
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From: Raine
Date: 08-04-2004, 11:24 PM (11 of 14)
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Lori, if you sew curtains again, I also find it helpful to pin the hem and then lightly iron before I sew. Then the fabric doesn't seem to shift so much. Happy Sewing! It's a very rewarding hobby. Raine |
User: Raine
Member since: 04-19-2000 Total posts: 259 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-05-2004, 07:43 AM (12 of 14)
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Lori First, if your fabric wants to wiggle around a lot, invest in a walking foot. It makes all the difference. Secondly you said your curtains were cut a little crooked. Well if things are cut crooked and you sew straight, you will have a crooked seam or hem. What really helped me with cutting straight is a rotary cutter. I use it around curves and notches -- everything. It takes a little practice and some people don't like it, but for me not lifting the fabric to get the scissors under keeps it from shifting around. Give it a try. Fo me it was a WOW moment in sewing, making a huge difference in the finished product and, incidentally, in my comfort level when I'm cutting. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: REDSTU1
Date: 08-05-2004, 11:39 AM (13 of 14)
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Thank you!!!!! I will have to look into walking foot. My machine was built in the 70's but it should be a problem.
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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From: paroper
Date: 08-05-2004, 11:47 AM (14 of 14)
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You never can tell. I'm sure that walking feet are made to fit most brands of machines. They may not be made for all makes of those machines though. Since makers don't often change the way their feet are added to the machine so it is possible that if you can locate a dealer who sells feet that fit your machine they may have a walking foot to fit your machine also. Good luck.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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