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Member since 8/21/06
Posts: 3
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Posted on: 11/25/06 0:11 AM ET
I borrowed a sewing machine from my friend for the weekend because I am making a dress for a charity fashion show due monday. Somehow, I managed to lose the regular foot, but I still have the zipper foot and rolled hem foot. It's a jersey stretch fabric, so I planned on using a zigzag stitch for some seams and straight stitch for areas that need to be gathered, and possibly an overlock stitch if I have time. WIll the zipper foot work as a replacement for the regular zig zag foor with those stitches? I don't have time to buy a new foot. Thanks!
  
Member since 10/19/06
Posts: 905
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Posted on: 11/25/06 0:20 AM ET
In short, no way. All you need is a foot that has an opening for the needle to zig and zag in. The zipper foot is made to sew a straight stitch to one side.

Kelly
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Kelly
  
Member since 10/19/06
Posts: 905
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Posted on: 11/25/06 0:23 AM ET
Check the rolled hem foot. It might seem awkward, but I'm looking at one now and it looks as though you might be able to zig zag with it.
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Kelly
  
Member since 7/11/05
Posts: 3783
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Posted on: 11/25/06 0:25 AM ET
Especially with a knit a zipper foot would be a nightmare. You need the stability of a foot on both sides of the needle to hold the fabric in place over the feed dogs while you zig zag seams on knits if you don't want stretched seams and puckers.

Since it's a borrowed machine, you're going to need to replace your friend's foot anyway. Might as well do it first thing in the morning. What kind of machine is it?

ETA: Most rolled hem feet have a "fence" at the toe, so that the outer edge of the fabric is held in place while you sew, so, again, it's usually only useful sewing over an edge. Most of them are set up to give you 1/4' or 1/8' rolled edges, not flat seam allowances.
-- Edited on 11/25/06 0:30 AM --
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I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work.

Chuck Close, painter, printmaker, photographer

Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage

St. Augustine
  
Member since 3/2/04
Posts: 2073
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Posted on: 11/25/06 7:50 AM ET
Just a couple thoughts about the lost foot...

Are you sure you had it, or could it still be at the owner's home?

If you know you had it, check the wastebasket by where you've been sewing...they have a way of jumping in there. I hope you find it :)

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Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
Member since 8/21/06
Posts: 3
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Posted on: 11/25/06 4:37 PM ET
In reply to chickita246
Thanks everyone, my friend found the foot at her house thankfully. I'm really glad I posted here because I was all set to use the zipper foot, but now I'm glad I didn't!
  
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