Sewing a Straight Line

What you will learn

• Controlling speed
• Guiding fabric lightly
• Keeping an even distance from the edge

Materials and tools

• Threaded machine
• Two scrap strips of woven cotton, 4 x 12 in (10 x 30 cm)
• Pins or clips
• Chalk or washable pen and ruler

Before you start

• Set a straight stitch at 2.5 mm. Draw a line 1/2 in (12 mm) from the edge of one strip with a ruler and chalk.

1. Place the two strips with right sides together, which means the printed or outer sides face each other. Line up the edges and pin across the line at 4 in (10 cm) intervals, with the pin heads toward the edge.
2. Raise the presser foot. Slide the fabric in so the drawn line runs beneath the needle and the edge sits along a guide line on the needle plate.

3. Turn the handwheel toward you to bring the needle down into the drawn line about 1/4 in (6 mm) from the end of the strip nearest you. Lower the presser foot.
4. Press the pedal gently. Rest your hands lightly on the fabric on each side of the foot. Let the feed dogs pull the fabric. Do not pull or push.
5. Watch the guide line on the needle plate and the fabric edge, not the needle. Steer by turning the fabric a very small amount if you drift.
6. Remove each pin as you reach it, before the needle touches it. Never sew over pins unless your manual allows it.
7. At the end, stop and turn the handwheel toward you until the needle and take-up lever are at their highest point. Raise the foot, pull the work back a little, then cut the threads leaving 2 in (5 cm) tails or trim close to the fabric.
8. Open the strips and look at the line. Aim to be within 1/8 in (3 mm) of the marked line.

Tips for a neat result

• A steady slow speed gives better control than a fast one.
• Watch the fabric edge against the guide line on the needle plate, not the needle.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The stitch line is straight, with even stitches on both sides.
• The two layers match at the end with no extra fabric on one.

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