Friday, April 29, 2011

Friday Confession

My sewing machine offers 3 needle positions - offset left, centered and offset right. I almost always use the centered position. The exception is when I am sewing three rows of gathering stitches. Using the 3 different needle positions allows me to run the fabric through 3 times along the same measurement line on my sewing machine needle plate.

So I've been wondering if there are other times / good reasons to use the offset needle positions...

How about you? Does your machine offer 3 different needle positions? How often do you use the offset positions and why?

13 comments:

Becky said...

My zipper foot requires using one of the offset needle positions--if it stays centered, the needle hits the foot and breaks! Sometimes I'll also move it over for getting topstitching closer to the edge than I would otherwise. (I've got 5 needle positions, btw.)

Julie said...

I shift the needle to the left side and use the 1/4-inch foot with edge guide to do perfectly straight top stitching. That is my most common use for changing needle positions.

mamafitz said...

my needle can move over incrementally. i use it when i put in invisible zips, so i can get closer to the teeth (i just use my regular zipper foot).

Claire S. said...

My Kenmore has 3 positions - generally I use the center, but use the others as well. If I feel more secure with more SA under the foot, I'll move the needle position to allow that. I'll also move it when understitching and/or topstitching.

Cole's Corner said...

I love using the far set left for attaching bias tape.

judidarling said...

I like the control of having all of my presser foot in contact with fabric, so I move my needle as needed. I have a Pfaff, so the faceplate markings don't have the traditional markings. I figured out where the needle needs to be for 5/8 inch, etc. seams. Works for me.

Anne L said...

Hvem I want to get really close to the edge I feel I can control it better hvem I have the needle to the right or left.

debbie said...

My machine has 14 needle positions and I use them constantly to get the seams right where I need them. I also use them for topstitching placement. There's probably more but they escape me at this moment! Let's just say I'm always playing with needle placement.

Your confession taught me something. I never thought to move the needle for gathering stitches. D'oh. Slaps forhead!

CarlaF-in Atlanta said...

Zippers and top stitching

marysews said...

Also Zippers and topstitching.

Dana said...

Ha! I never knew about using it for gathering stitches. What a great idea! I move mine all the time, mostly for edgestitching and zippers.

gwensews said...

Edgestitching, topstitching, zippers, piping and cording.

Summerset said...

It depends on the type of foot I'm using - the machine requires certain needles positions for certain feet.