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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: mom_of_rayhnebe
Date: 04-09-2006, 12:03 AM (1 of 6)
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Hi, I'm a newbie to the quilting world, I have previously sewn curtains and dresses for my kids when they were little, but the last time I used my machine was 1992! I found a fairly straightforward pattern I like to make a wallhanging as a housewarming gift for my olderst daughter. I rotary cut all the pieces (and stilol have all 10 fingers intact!) and tried at least 15 times to sew the dreaded 1/4 seam. I CANNOT for the life of me get the stitches anywhere near the corners! If I line the needle up with the corner and lower the presser foot, the fabric either gets "crumpled" under the presser foot or doesn't get pulled through by the feed dog. Any tips you can offer for me to try would be greatly appreciated! Tracy |
User: mom_of_rayhnebe
Member since: 04-08-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: Ashda
Date: 04-09-2006, 05:48 AM (2 of 6)
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Hi Tracy, I'm not the best on advice but you might try feeding a leader square first (a little scrap) of fabric and then your "real project" like you would if you were chain piecing. Hope that helps. Sue |
User: Ashda
Member since: 12-08-2004 Total posts: 3 |
From: westozmum
Date: 04-09-2006, 08:16 AM (3 of 6)
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Hi!! I am too doing my first quilt after years of dressmaking!!! Another tip that may help with your little problem is that are you using the right size needle for the fabric you are sewing on? Sometimes a needle that is too big for the job will force the fabric down into the feeddogs. It could even be that the needle is blunt/bent and this wouldn't be helping either. I do like the idea of putting a little piece of scrap ahead of your fabric.....another idea is to gently (where possible) pull the threads from the back as you begin to sew........ Good luck!! Dont let it get the best of you!! 
Westozmum aka Laura from the Land Down Under
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User: westozmum
Member since: 02-16-2006 Total posts: 41 
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From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 04-09-2006, 11:35 AM (4 of 6)
| Don't know ir this is applicable to you or not but have you got a zig-zag needle plate in your machine verus a straight stitch plate. While I don't quilt I fine that sometimes if I have the zig-zag plate in and I'm just doing straight stitch some times it screws up and when I change over to the other plate it usually solves my problem, just have to remember to change it back when you do zig-zag or you have a broken needle instantly. |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 04-09-2006, 04:49 PM (5 of 6)
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I'm a new quilter too and I highly recommend the starter fabric scrap to start sewing on. I have used this for over 30 years of garment sewing. I saves a ton of thread too and I never have to worry about hanging on the the thread when I start a seam. I cut scraps into pieces about 2" x 3" and then fold them in half (or I put different ones together) and when they get too full of thread I toss them. And yes, check your needle. Dull needles or those too large are not good for quilting. Good luck and hang in there. It gets 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: JoanieB
Date: 04-10-2006, 02:08 PM (6 of 6)
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The leader piece of fabric is a very good way to get past this problem. I have also used a small piece of tissue paper under the corners to get them started. Use the kind you wrap gifts in just the thin tissue paper.I've used both methods and they both work. JoanieB 
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User: JoanieB
Member since: 01-28-2005 Total posts: 68 |
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