Whoever made up the phrase, ‘I can’t sew a straight line,’ makes it sound straightforward. Quite the opposite, stitching a straight line is without doubt one of the hardest issues to grasp. I’ve been stitching for too a few years to rely. Once I’m having a foul day, I can’t sew straight both!
That’s why I’m so glad many instruments (and some tips) can be found to make it a lot simpler to stitch straight. Let’s face it: stitching straight seam traces, topstitching, edge stitching, and generally quilting could make your undertaking look extra skilled.
There may be No ‘One-Dimension-Suits-All’ Resolution
None of the following tips and tips (or instruments) are a one-size-fits-all resolution. A few of these hacks will work when you’re stitching clothes, and others are higher if you’re making a quilt. I’m together with a pair for specialty stitching, like for making piping or stitching a slim strap. I’ve even discovered that I really like to make use of one stitching machine or one other for stitching in numerous conditions.
Browse this checklist and check out the stitching machine ft and instruments you have already got. In case you’re nonetheless unhappy, possibly you want a brand new stitching notion!
Use the rules in your stitching machine
Our first helpers for stitching straight traces are tips. Home stitching machines made in the previous few many years all have tips on the needle plate. These are useful but additionally very small and generally arduous to see.
Connect a stitching machine grid just like the Sew Straight Software
If the rules in your stitching machine aren’t serving to a lot, think about including a grid or gridded mat with higher tips to the mattress of your stitching machine. I’ve tried each the Sew Straight Software and the Grid Glider.
The Sew Straight Software is proven above. It have to be adhered to your stitching machine’s mattress with masking tape. That may be most popular when you have a drop-in bobbin since you’ll need to raise the mat to verify or change the bobbin.
The Grid Glider is self-stick
I want the Grid Glider. I discover that the traces on the Grid Glider are simpler to learn. It makes my stitching floor very easy and simple to make use of. The Grid Glider doesn’t want masking tape as a result of it has adhesive on the again. It’s straightforward to take away and will be cleaned with water if it loses its tack. I apply it to my Bernina – the bobbin just isn’t drop-in.
Apply masking tape
In case you want a fast guideline that may be adjusted to any seam allowance, strive masking tape. It’s the final word low-budget repair; you in all probability have already got some.
This repair works for stitching straight seams and edge stitching (topstitching on edge).
Tip: Solely use masking tape in your stitching machine mattress. Don’t use different kinds of tape that may go away a residue. That mistake led me to make use of acetone to take away the residue, which brought about me to smear the printed tips on my extension desk, which was an enormous catastrophe. Due to that, I bought a Sew Regular extension desk as an alternative (which I really like). However ruining a part of your stitching machine isn’t any enjoyable!
Sticky Notes as a Seam Information
Sticky notes from the workplace provide part of any retailer (or the greenback retailer!) are additionally a preferred seam information. Peel off a stack of sticky notes about 1/4” tall and place it wherever you want for an adjustable seam information!
Use a presser foot with a 1/4” information
Just a few various kinds of stitching machine ft have a information hooked up. Above are two quarter-inch piecing ft with a information related to the foot. Each of those are supposed for stitching straight 1/4’’ seams. They will additionally assist with stitching that must be 1/4’’ from the sting – like attaching quilt binding or large edge stitching.
Use an edge stitching presser foot with a middle information
An edge stitching foot additionally has a information completely hooked up, however this information is down the center of the foot. This foot is useful for edge stitching a hard and fast distance near the sting of the undertaking or prime stitching a hard and fast distance from a seam. To vary the gap, you’ll transfer the needle to the left or proper.
It’s additionally nice for stitch-in-the-ditch quilting – go away the needle within the center. In actual fact, my Janome has a foot identical to this that they name the ‘stitch-in-the-ditch’ foot. By no means restrict a stitching machine foot to the job in its identify – you’ll in all probability discover different issues it will probably do!
Strive a zipper foot
Bear in mind: don’t restrict a stitching machine foot to the job in its identify. A zipper foot helps sew straight subsequent to a zipper as a result of it solely pushes the material down on one aspect of the needle. That additionally turns out to be useful when making piping and attaching piping, pom-poms, and different cumbersome trims.
Connect an attachable seam information or material information
Most stitching machines include this humorous L-shaped instrument. Are you aware what it’s for?
It attaches to the stitching machine’s foot and helps you information material when stitching seams or quilting. It’s particularly good for large seams or straight line (strolling foot) quilting as a result of you’ll be able to regulate it to completely different widths. In case your stitching machine’s foot doesn’t take an L-shaped seam information, however you might have one anyway, you’ll be able to normally make it work by taping it to the highest of your strolling foot.
Change the needle place
This tip works with any stitching machine foot and another instrument so long as your stitching machine allows you to transfer the needle to the left or proper.
For instance, if you’re stitching one thing tiny that doesn’t cowl all of the feed canine in your stitching machine, transfer the needle over all the way in which to at least one aspect. Then, hopefully, your tiny merchandise is pushed by no less than one set of feed canine.
That is additionally useful for stitching a scant quarter-inch seam allowance. Simply transfer the needle a smidge to the precise after which observe the 1/4’’ guideline in your stitching machine or mat, or use a foot with a 1/4’’ information.
Quilt straight traces with a quilting ruler
Straight traces on a quilt are so fairly – and arduous to realize, even with plenty of marking.
When free-motion quilting, I really like my straight-edge quilting ruler. It’s manufactured from particular acrylic and is thicker than a daily ruler in order that it received’t slip underneath the particular rulerwork foot.
These are my finest ideas for stitching a straight line. Now, all you want is apply!
Strive Basis Paper Piecing
Basis paper piecing is a quilt piecing technique that differs fully from conventional quilt piecing strategies. It might appear tough to grasp at first, however when you perceive the method, you’ll get to stitch alongside traces printed or traced on paper! Learn the way with this free paper piecing sample.
Extra from SewCanShe
Cute Button Crafts: 25 Artistic Concepts For Left Over Buttons
10 Compelling Causes You Ought to Attend a Quilt Retreat
35 Intelligent Stitching Patterns for Gadgets Individuals Will By no means Cease Utilizing: All Free
Disclosure: a few of my posts comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you are going to buy one thing by way of a kind of hyperlinks I could obtain a small fee, so thanks for supporting SewCanShe whenever you store! The entire opinions are my very own and I solely recommend merchandise that I really use. 🙂