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Scant 1/4 inch seams and 9mm machines ... is this a dangerous combo or is it just me?
Canadian Jane Advanced Beginner AB CANADA Member since 10/30/10 Posts: 1149	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/23/12 1:22 PM On another thread talking about the Janome 8900, the issue came up of 1/4 inch seam vs a scant 1/4 inch machine. One poster, Ripstitcher, was saying how her Janmome 7700 had one 1/4 foot that was scant, but another one that wasn't - both Janome feet. Now that is a scary thought because I sure wouldn't have thought to check that out. I would assume a foot made by the same company would sew the same seam width. There was also discussion about the 9mm conundrum. Yes, you get those those lovely large deco stitches but that much larger hole may also impact your machine's ability to sew a straight line. So.... I tested my Pfaff QE4 for both these things. I have one 1/4 foot with a guide that I purchased separately, before I purchased the QE4. The other came with the machine when I bought it. I tested it on plain 8 x 11 paper with an unthreaded needle. I wanted a nice crisp edge that wasn't frayed or warped to see the stitch line. I drew a 1/4 inch line from the edge of the paper and lined the edge of my paper with either the guide or the edge of the foot. I repeated the experiment several times to ensure my result were consistent. Both did sew a scant 1/4 inch seam. That is the good news. The foot with the quide sewed a perfectly straight seam regardless of whether I used the straight stitch hole, the 9mm hole with or without the IDT. Absolutely no variation. The other foot, without the guide, did NOT sew a perfectly straight straight seam. It jiggled/curved ever so slightly - just a hair and towards the right. It was a bit better with the single hole needle plate and better still with the IDT engaged using the straight stitch needle plate. But still not perfectly straight. I would be interested in hearing your feedback on this. Is it me needing the guide, the 9mm opening, the machine, some combo that makes the line less than perfectly straight? Would 7 feed dogs vs Pfaff's 5 (without IDT) make a difference I wonder? What does your machine do? Also, do you sew 1/4 seams, scant or otherwise with a walking foot/IDT. Do you use a single hole needle plate? Thanks!
Jennifer Hill Advanced AB CANADA Member since 4/11/02 Posts: 1477	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 11/23/12 4:21 PM I find it extremely difficult to sew a straight seam, particularly on fine fabrics, with 9mm feed dogs. Luckily, my Singer 20U has a separate set of feed dogs, as well as a single hole needle plate, to use for such straight sewing. It takes 5 minutes to switch them over, but soooooo worth it. Industrials rock! Jennifer in Calgary
sings2high   Expert/Couture NJ USA Member since 11/25/11 Posts: 146	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/23/12 4:31 PM No surprise here and this is where people start looking sideways at the sewing machine nut. :-) It is not your imagination. Different feet by the same manufacturer are usually different widths, they were designed for different purposes. No matter what you use, measure the feet and know exactly what you are stitching. Just like a carpenter has more than a few saws because she uses "the right tool for the job" -- I have no difficulty justifying having more than one sewing machine. Since 95% of my sewing is in a straight line, I want the best. And the best is usually a vintage or antique Singer or White that only sews a straight line and only comes with a single hole needle plate. I have sewn with hundreds of machines and most of the newer machines don't cut it for a reliable, elegant and perfectly straight line of stitches. I sew scant 1/4 seams much of the time, and for quilting I use a walking foot that fits the Singer short shank machines, including the Featherweight. It is designed to work with the narrow different-length feed-dogs on those machines. And here's the great news - I've never paid more than $60 for any of my vintage machines (lol, obviously I don't have a Featherweight). They almost NEVER go out of adjustment and all fixes are inexpensive with the Singer parts still readily available. Naturally, I also have several machines that do specialty stitches and zigzag - and that's why I keep them and I don't use them for straight sewing. But if you only have room for one machine (honestly, I would have room for two even if I lived in an RV!), then you will need to maximize your stitch with what you have. Definitely use the foot with the guide whenever you can. If you must use the other, use a single hole needle plate and the walking foot. It sounds like the foot that came with the machine is also slightly thinner than the guide-foot. It may be wandering because its contact with the feed-dogs is uneven or less than 100%. This could also happen because paper is so much thinner than fabric. If the stitching line wavers on fabric, first try increasing the presser foot pressure very slightly. If that does not help, try stitching with a layer of tissue paper included in the sandwich, for extra depth. It tears away easily and this also helps greatly when stitching very fine fabrics. Another trick for judging foot width is to keep some gingham with 1/8" squares in your stash. Easy to stitch on the line and judge the distance with that. ------ Measure twice, cut once.
Canadian Jane Advanced Beginner AB CANADA Member since 10/30/10 Posts: 1149	Login to reply to this post In reply to sings2high << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 5:58 PM Wow - you are giving me reason to keep my MIL's Elna Supermatic just for straight stitching! I would NEVER hear the end of that! I really don't like 9mm machines because of issues like this, but perhaps 7mm machines have the similar issues. What is weird is the 1/4 inch foot without the guide is the one that came with the 9mm machine. It is hard to accruately measure them but I will swear it is slightly wider than the foot with the guide but just at the back end. Since this is the last part to touch the feed dogs, I am thinking this should not cause the "wavering issue". Hummm... two machines?? You have given me a lot to think about here.
Artsewer   Intermediate NY USA Member since 3/2/11 Posts: 1236	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/23/12 6:11 PM I had a 7mm and a 9mm they have similar issues. I don't one is significantly different then the other. The advantages of the 9mm for me are preferred. On either one sometimes will need to use a 5.5 or SSplate. ------ Bernina 750Q, 635E, 380, Serger 1100DC
Warbler   Advanced VT USA Member since 4/15/07 Posts: 2580	Login to reply to this post In reply to Canadian Jane << 1 member likes this. Date: 11/23/12 6:55 PM Quote: On another thread talking about the Janome 8900, the issue came up of 1/4 inch seam vs a scant 1/4 inch machine. One poster, Ripstitcher, was saying how her Janmome 7700 had one 1/4 foot that was scant, but another one that wasn't - both Janome feet. Now that is a scary thought because I sure wouldn't have thought to check that out. I would assume a foot made by the same company would sew the same seam width I can explain why Janome has two different 1/4 inch feet... The O foot is Janome's original 1/4 inch pressure foot. It has a love hate following because with many Janome machines, one must change needle positions to get a true or even scant 1/4 seam allowance. When the 7700 Horizon was release, there was much complaint the machine did not sew well over 1/4 seam allowances and so Janome redesigned the O foot, now called the O2 1/4 inch foot. The new foot has the bottom notched out so the machine will go over 1/4 seams more easily. They also tightened the fit of the guide so it sits more closely to the edge of the foot.. I have both feet and yes they are different. I like the O2 foot because it sews a true scant 1/4 inch without having to reset the needle position. which I have to do with my standard O foot. I hope this helps. Talk to any good Janome dealer who knows. ------ Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1401	Login to reply to this post In reply to Canadian Jane << 1 member likes this. Date: 11/23/12 6:58 PM Oh, you sooooooo have to keep the SU around! I still have mine! (Haven't used it lately, tho! After I get a few more things taken care of around here, I'm thinking of sending my SU to the body shop for a paint job! I think she deserves some white pearl paint, a metallic red top (to match the ElnaPress & 7700... with just a classy little gold pinstriping done to keep her fashionably in par with the EG. Seriously... there are things to be said for those 5mm feed dogs! ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6990	Login to reply to this post In reply to Warbler << Like this post Date: 11/23/12 8:24 PM (bowing before Warbler in total humility..) Wow! Thank you for explaining this! I have two O feet and I could never understand why Janome made two. But thanks to you now I know! ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6762	Login to reply to this post In reply to Canadian Jane << 2 members like this. Date: 11/23/12 8:29 PM This was something I was concerned about when looking into getting my Pfaff Creative Performance, a 9mm machine. Turned out there was no need to worry; even without using the straight stitch needle plate and foot, and without the IDT, this machine sews a beautifully straight seam, even at 1/16", and even on knits, with no pulling to either side. So while it could be a problem with some or even most 9mm machines, it definitely is not a problem with all 9mm machines! ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
PortlandMaine   Advanced Beginner ME USA Member since 1/29/11 Posts: 1628	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/23/12 8:34 PM For all of the things that the Smarter did not do well -- the straight stitches were great and I dont know if I ever had any fabric get ate by the 9mm hole. The feed was great and straight. ------ Drag queen quilter!

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