Machine Sewing

[kristin9312]

okay...any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have already broken my singer simple machine. I am now back to using my smaller sewing machine. I did find out some better thread to use. but my next question is how do you ladies that sew on your cards get such straight lines? I know the setting is for straight lines...but I can NEVER get the straight line stitch to actually be STRAIGHT. Any advice, tips, secrets would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[gr8cards]

I stitch slowly and use the edge of the presser foot as a guide. It took practice, though, and you'll find that different cs reacts differently.

[Angelnorth]

I think part of the trick to keeping it straight is to focus on the presser foot and the edge of the card, not on the needle. Try practising with some scrap paper so you get the feel for how fast you can go and what the "pull" of the machine feels like as you control the paper being fed through, keeping your eye on the edge of the presser foot all the time.

The other trick is to make your stitching deliberately wonky! This can be a really nice look and it frees you up from worrying about it. Go round two or even three times and let the lines overlap for the best effect. I've attached a sample so you can see what I mean.

HTH!

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristin9312

okay...any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have already broken my singer simple machine. I am now back to using my smaller sewing machine. I did find out some better thread to use. but my next question is how do you ladies that sew on your cards get such straight lines? I know the setting is for straight lines...but I can NEVER get the straight line stitch to actually be STRAIGHT. Any advice, tips, secrets would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I sew a lot on fabric, and have found that putting a piece of colored "painters tape" parallel to the seam lines already on the sewing machine plate helps as an "eyeball guide" when trying to stitch straight.

[craftykarla]

Hey Joanne, thanks for the wonky look! That I can do. ;)