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anniemm
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| Posted: Dec 03 2007 at 1:22am | IP Logged
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Ok, so I finally started sewing on the machine that my husband got me LAST Christmas. For the life of me, I can not sew a straight line. Is this normal? I just feel like when I press the petal that it goes SO FAST that I loose control. I googled it and haven't found any help. I thought maybe you ladies would have some suggestions on how to sew in a straight line? Am I hopeless, or is this normal??? 
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Andrea
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Mary G
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Think of the pedal as the gas pedal in your car -- regulate it as you would your car....
Another thing that helped me when I was starting out was to draw straight lines on paper (and later spirals, etc), and practice with no thread in the machine. The paper is good because it's stiffer than fabric and you can get used to regulating your speed and preciseness.
Also, a piece of masking tape (especially in a color) on the base plate to mark your seam allowance helps enormously. I know some machines have an attachment that is a guide (sticks up a bit and you keep the fabric against that), but I've always found those just get in the way.
And, Andrea, at least with sewing you're normal   ... sewing a straight seam takes practice ... so don't worry!
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MaryG
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lapazfarm
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Oh, so it isn't just me!LOL!
I am a complete spaz when it comes to sewing. I have to make sure my "seam allowances" have a wide margin of error because I am all over the place! And I totally cannot control the speed. Good thing my sewing machine isn't a car or I would have been pulled over and locked in jail by now!
I AM getting better, though, really!
And you will too.
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marcie
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You could trim your seam allowance so that the edge of your foot would rest on the edge of the fabric. My foot is 1/4 inch on one side, so I make my seam allowance 1/4 inch instead of 5/8.
I also use my left foot to "drive" the pedal. It took alot of practice but I find it helps with controlling some of the speed issues.
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Marcie Melancon
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KellyJ
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I don't have any suggestions, but I'm in the same boat with you. I can't seem to draw a straight line with a ruler even. I hope you get the knack of it soon!
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Cindy Mac
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Oh thank goodness it's not just me! You could ask my mom about the miserable experience we had together with her trying to teach me how to sew that darned straight line  . I may take some of Mary's suggestions for practicing when we get the sewing machine out of storage. Thanks for the advice.
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mavmama
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Something I have always been taught and teach now, is that you should not be watching the needle, but the edge of your fabric and where it is going. This is hard to learn, because we are naturally inclined to watch the needle. I would agree with Mary's advice to practice on paper also. It gives good practice with something a bit more "controlable."
Good luck!
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Liz
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~Rachel~
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Firstly, the BEST way to do it is to line up the edge of your fabric with the marker on your machine (I either use the foot edge or the line on my machine that means 1/4 inch or whatever the seam allowance is  )... and watch that. Keeping it in place will make that line straight.
Of course, if like me you CUT it wibbly, your line is still not straight . For that you need one of those round fabric cutters and a large mat and straight edge to cut against
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anniemm
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 2:57am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the help ladies! I did find that I was looking at the needle and had a lead foot on the petal. Once I eased up a bit and watched the edge of the fabric, my lines got a little more straight. Not perfect yet, but at least it helped! And Rachel, you are SO right, I can't cut straight either and that was causing problems!
Thanks so much!
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Andrea
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lilac hill
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Mary G wrote:
Also, a piece of masking tape (especially in a color) on the base plate to mark your seam allowance helps enormously. I know some machines have an attachment that is a guide (sticks up a bit and you keep the fabric against that), but I've always found those just get in the way.
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I made my tape guide quite long and had better luck.
MAking sure the pedal did not slip helped me keep the speed under control.
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Viv
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KerryK
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Wow, reading this makes me feel a whole lot better. I really did think I was the only one with this problem and was kind of embarassed. My Mom never really sewed, so I have no sewing "mentor". Thanks for the tips!
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JodieLyn
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Don't feel like you have to use the pedal of the machine the "right way" I've had times that it works better for me to be able to rest my foot on the "pivot" point of the pedal.. and point my toe down a bit to run the machine.. it does give more control.
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organiclilac
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I find I cannot sew well with shoes or slippers on - I have to be in socks or barefoot. Just another thing to try if you have trouble going too fast!
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JodieLyn
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you might also try setting your foot up on a block or book or something.. you have much more control if your foot can rest on something solid while you control the pedal.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: beginner sewing...straight lines?
