Make Sure You Address A Good Seam Guide

By Eloise Hewitt


Sewing is an ever popular event for most men and women. Not quite as complicated as knitting, this seems to be something more people can handle. Sewing straight can be a problem for even the most experienced, for this reason most sewing machines are fitted with a seam guide.

The guide allows you to line up your fabric and run a straight line while sewing. If you do not have one, you will find it is very easy to zigzag across the material. You often only notice this once you've finished sewing your master piece. Just about all sewing machines have one, but if yours does not, you can make your own.

The guide is a steal plate that fits on the base of the sewing machine, where you place the material when sewing. This one has different measurements on it, from the center left and right. These measurements are identical either way so you can sew from either side with an accurate line. The measurements are taken from the point of the needle.

The guide is more often than not made out of steel. You fill find it just under the needle on the bed of the sewing machine. It has multiple measurements form the left and right of the needle. These measurements are taken from the point the needle and marked out on most common seam sizes. If the measurement you want is not showing or there is none at all, you can simply make one yourself.

This does not mean that you have to go out and buy a small plate of steel and start engraving lines and numbers on it. There is a much simpler method. Take a ruler and a fine marking pen, measure from the tip of the needle the length you require and make a mark. Then take some craft tape, preferably not clear. If you use clear tape you will be straining your eyes to see the marking. Remember to stick it down straight!

Now that you have your marking in place you are ready to get sewing. Line up your material on the chosen measurement and start sewing. Remember to keep an eye on the material and the guide to make sure you do not go off line. Go at a speed that you feel comfortable with, just remember that too fast and too slow is also a problem, you will learn as you practice.

If you are really struggling and you just cannot keep that line straight there are multiple attachments that can help you. You may consider purchasing a more rigid one. One that is not flush with the sewing machine bed, instead a raised edge as to form more of a lip that the material can run against. These come in different forms, from plastic to steel each with its own benefits and durability.

This goes without saying, that even with a guide you need to be careful with what you are doing. You need to always pay attention. The last thing you want is to sew your fingers by accident, because you weren't paying attention. Accidents happen quickly, so make use of yours, and remember to be alert.




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