(Day 2 of a 31 Day Series)
Today I was planning on talking about basting your quilt sandwich but I decided not to. Instead I’m going to talk a little bit more about the quilt guide (or “L” shaped bar) that I mentioned in the previous post. I also mentioned that if you were able to buy a walking foot with a guide you should do so. If you already have a walking foot and it doesn’t have a guide you may be able to purchase an aftermarket guide for your foot. The really annoying thing about most walking feet is that they come packaged with a bar that fits on the right side of the foot. Just like the one in the picture I showed yesterday:
The problem with this set up is that you are trying to fight the bulk of your quilt on the already small throat space of your machine. There are very few walking feet that have a left side guide bar. Bernina is one of those that offers a guide bar on either side. If you can find a walking foot that will fit your machine and has a guide bar on the left side, that is the one I recommend. Better yet, if it has a guide for either side that would be ideal. Specialty feet are expensive so don’t run out and buy a new one. I did a little research for you and I found 2 options you might be interested in. Mind you I have NOT tried either one of these items so I don’t know how well they will work.
The first one I found was at Thread Stand Hero and is priced at $19.99 (+$4.95 shipping) and is also carried at Keepsake Quilting but is currently out of stock.
This one works by attaching to the back of your walking foot with a spring clip and gives you an adjustable guide on each side.
The second one I found was at Clotilde and is priced at $6.98 (+$4.95 shipping)
This one says you can attach it either on the left or the right. Your walking foot also needs to have a flat back of at least 1/2”.
The shipping price for something so small is what kept me from ordering either one. Instead I looked around and thought about finding something else work, something that I already had laying around that some of you might also have. You will need: a giant paper clip, some masking/painters tape and your walking foot
1) take the paper clip and bend the smaller inside “hook” straight up until you make an “L” with your paper clip
2) If your walking foot has a notch for a guide it just might fit in there perfectly like this:
If not, use some painter’s tape to attach it to the back of your walking foot like this:
That’s it! You’ll have to reposition the tape if you want to move the guide over but for less than a dollar I’m not complaining.
Here are some pictures of it on my machine. The curved end of the paper clip guarantees that you won’t snag your quilt sandwich as you go. The paper clip is actually pretty sturdy so unless you’re really wrestling your sandwich around I don’t think you’ll accidentally bend it out of shape.
See you tomorrow!
~ Norma
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26 comments :
Thank you for researching and posting that information! I will definitely use the paper clip idea soon as I was going to use the guide bar on the quilt I'm working on now.
Well, I find that fascinating. I have used my quilting bar only once because like you said, I have to put all the bulk of the quilt into the harp area. Why is it designed like that??? I like your solution and will give it a shot.
looks like a good idea worth trying out...
in stitches
I love the clever idea with the paper clip!
Very creative! I don't actually know if my walking foot has both or not...sad, but I've never taken it out of the box after they showed me how to use it. =)
Great idea!! now I am off to find a paper clip in my messy office!
Nadine
I have that first one and it does work for me. But I don't use a regular walking foot anymore since my machine has a built in one, and that gadget doesn't fit on my built in one. I'm going to try the paper clip trick-thanks for the idea!
You are an angel for coming up with this. The back plastic clips broke on my walking foot a few months ago so taping it sounds perfect. Such a simple idea and it never occurred to me. LOLLLLL Thanks
I've used a bar like that since my first treadle sewing machine! They're great for faux chenille blankets too. Thanks for this series!
I don't think mine came with An "L" bar, thanks for the DIY.
How clever is this?! Now why didn't I ever think of that? The main reason I have not used my walking foot more is because of the small throat issue! Thank you Thank You :)
My machine will allow me to attach the quilting bar to the left side- upside down, but it still works.
I broke the plastic part of my walking foot where the bar attatches (and am too cheap to buy a new one!) so I'm anxious to give the paper clip a try.
Mine has the L bar but I might prefer the paper clip method since my bar seems to be too loose and moves when I'm quilting resulting in not so straight and evenly spaced lines :/
Oh my gosh! This is awesome! I just bought a new machine--that comes with a funky walking foot that hooks up electronically and blocks out the stitch I wanted to use. SO I bought a traditional foot-then didn't notice until I got home that it doesn't have a guide bar. I am going to try the paper clip for now. THanks!
I just started to quilt my 2nd quilt. For 1st one, I used blue tape. It took forever and I had to figure extra 1/4". Thank you, thank you so much for the paper clip idea. It is wonderful. So glad I found your blog.
sheiladavis8966@gmail.com
Genius. Thank you!
I know this an old post and you may never read this but thank you so much for the paper clip idea. I bought a walking foot that didn't come with a guide. I didn't do the proper research and didn't think I would need a guide. I started and have nearly finished my first rag quilt and see how handy that little guide would come in. Your post popped up first when I typed in DIY walking foot guide and I am so grateful. Have a great day.
Heather
This is a wonderful idea!!! Thank you so much. I just quilting a quilt with parallel lines and had so much trouble. My bar did fit on the opposite side but upside down and did not touch the quilt so I was guessing and had to really watch. This is so smart!! And I love cheap!
Just saw this post and it is still very revelant. I have put the L bar on the L which is upside down but still a guide.
Gi
I know this is an old post, but I just bought a Long Quilting Guide Set from Elna, which includes a left and right bar, and they are a bit longer than the standard one. Works like a charm! Prior to getting that I followed the shadow of the upside down right one installed to the left. :)
what a great idea the paper clip. I gave it a try, it worked perfectly !
I am a beginner in machine quilting and I love what I can do with my walking foot. For several years I used to hand-quilt but I had so many tops waiting to be quilted that I decided not to begin a new project without finishing the waiting ones.
And I tried to machine quilt with my walking foot without any help. I am sure that I'll find many tips in your block and I do thank you for all I am going to do. And I'll awe you something else : reading all your posts I am going to improve my english !
You are brilliant!
My machine will also allow me to attach the quilting bar to the left side- upside down, but it still works.
My machine will also allow me to attach the quilting bar to the left side- upside down, but it still works.
Does this mean if you have a walking foot you don't need to use a sewing machine at all?
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