Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
 4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Subject Topic: beginner sewing...straight lines? Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
anniemm
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Sept 19 2006
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 348
Posted: Dec 03 2007 at 1:22am | IP Logged Quote anniemm

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???

__________________
Andrea
__________
Wife to Charlie (03)
Mama to four little girls (04), (05), (07), (09),& my 1st little guy 11/11
www.hiswillmypeace.com
Back to Top View anniemm's Profile Search for other posts by anniemm Visit anniemm's Homepage
 
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
Posted: Dec 03 2007 at 7:42am | IP Logged Quote Mary G

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!

__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)

my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
Back to Top View Mary G's Profile Search for other posts by Mary G Visit Mary G's Homepage
 
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
Posted: Dec 03 2007 at 7:55am | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm

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.

__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
Back to Top View lapazfarm's Profile Search for other posts by lapazfarm Visit lapazfarm's Homepage
 
marcie
Forum Pro
Forum Pro


Joined: March 02 2006
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 135
Posted: Dec 03 2007 at 8:35am | IP Logged Quote marcie

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.

__________________
Marcie Melancon
New Iberia, LA
Back to Top View marcie's Profile Search for other posts by marcie
 
KellyJ
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: June 29 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 598
Posted: Dec 03 2007 at 7:45pm | IP Logged Quote KellyJ

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!

__________________
KellyJ
Back to Top View KellyJ's Profile Search for other posts by KellyJ
 
Cindy Mac
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: April 21 2005
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 576
Posted: Dec 04 2007 at 11:01am | IP Logged Quote Cindy Mac

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.

__________________
Cindy - wife to Chris, mommy to my 4 sons!

Kellys Klassroom Korner
St. Anne's Academy
Back to Top View Cindy Mac's Profile Search for other posts by Cindy Mac Visit Cindy Mac's Homepage
 
mavmama
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Nov 01 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 618
Posted: Dec 04 2007 at 11:53am | IP Logged Quote mavmama

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!

__________________
Liz
Blessed by 4 wonders
dd11, dd911, ds9, ds8
Back to Top View mavmama's Profile Search for other posts by mavmama
 
~Rachel~
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: March 29 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
Posted: Dec 05 2007 at 1:46pm | IP Logged Quote ~Rachel~

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

__________________
~Rachel~
Wife to William
Mum to James 13, Lenore 8
Lighting a Fire
Back to Top View ~Rachel~'s Profile Search for other posts by ~Rachel~ Visit ~Rachel~'s Homepage
 
anniemm
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Sept 19 2006
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 348
Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 2:57am | IP Logged Quote anniemm

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!

__________________
Andrea
__________
Wife to Charlie (03)
Mama to four little girls (04), (05), (07), (09),& my 1st little guy 11/11
www.hiswillmypeace.com
Back to Top View anniemm's Profile Search for other posts by anniemm Visit anniemm's Homepage
 
lilac hill
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 643
Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 5:17am | IP Logged Quote lilac hill

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.

!

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.

__________________
Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
Back to Top View lilac hill's Profile Search for other posts by lilac hill
 
KerryK
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: June 30 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 265
Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 2:37pm | IP Logged Quote KerryK

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!



__________________
Kerry
Mom to
Matthew (10)
Mary (6)
New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 9 angels in heaven

The Eyes of My Heart
Back to Top View KerryK's Profile Search for other posts by KerryK Visit KerryK's Homepage
 
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 8:26pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn

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.

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
Back to Top View JodieLyn's Profile Search for other posts by JodieLyn
 
organiclilac
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: March 30 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 640
Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 9:22pm | IP Logged Quote organiclilac

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!

__________________
Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
Back to Top View organiclilac's Profile Search for other posts by organiclilac
 
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 11:34pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn

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.

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
Back to Top View JodieLyn's Profile Search for other posts by JodieLyn
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com