I have owned my Juki for precisely 4 years and 2 weeks.
Do you want to know what I found in my bag of tricks
today? I don't think that I can emphasize the word "today" enough.
I found this little foot. I noticed that it has a marking on the side that says CR1/4E. The 1/4 thing piqued my curiosity.
I looked in my sewing machine manual to see what it was. There was only this tiny little section talking about the "compensating presser foot". I quote "It is convienent to sew material end straight."
First off, I got a huge kick out of the wording. It just sounded funny to me. You could almost take it as "your project will come together better if you sew your ends together properly." But what the manual should say is: "Use this amazing and handy little foot to get consistent 1/4" seam allowances."
How on earth did I not know this?
See that bar on the right? It guides your fabric.
And gives you a consistent 1/4" seam allowance. Every. single. time.
I am laughing so hard at myself right now. (Because it sure beats kicking myself over and over and over and over again.) :)
Oh help!! Two quilting classes, two years of learning to quilt, mad at myself because of my seam issues. and there is a foot in my kit..odd ting. I mean, i was delighted to learn i had a walking foot - six months ago. Now..oh heck, can i cry on your shoulder, or laugh with you? I think i prefer the laughing;)
ReplyDeleteFunny! I'm so glad other people do stuff like that ....
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you discovered it but I'm sure you wish you had discovered it sooner.
ReplyDeletehaha!!! Unbelievable!!! I want one too!!
ReplyDeletehey -- it happens to all of us ... so do you like your Juki .... I think I need new machine and have been checking out everyone's likes and dislikes!
ReplyDeleteI sure wsh I'd find one of those in my bag of tricks!
ReplyDeleteWell I'm glad you found it!! I have had my machine for 20 years and I keep looking in my bag to see if by chance I missed such a foot! By alas I went on Friday to go buy one....Better late than never? That is what I am going with!!!
ReplyDeletehahahaha
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of reading manuals...
Well, I'm translator. Of manuals. From english > portuguese.
And I always advise my friends to read the manuals of whatever they put their hands on! ;-)
You see why, don't you???
Hugs, I'm glad you found your new foot,
Lia
I would like to have one of those... maybe I will have to look in my bag of tricks...amazon!
ReplyDeleteLOL. I have the same machine and have never used that foot. I guess I better read my manual. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteFor the first few years I had my old machine I didn't know it came with a walking foot. For reals.
ReplyDeleteThat. Is. Incredible! (And I wish I had one too!) I'm glad you're taking it so well....otherwise you'd end up bitter! Oh the possibilities now are just endless!
ReplyDeleteyay for fun finds like that!
ReplyDeletewow! i feel like my 1/4" foot really hurts me more than it helps, so congrats on having one that is good!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you found them. I love my 1/4 foot for my Juki also. Have fun. Its going to be a new machine now with all your new feet.
ReplyDeleteohmygosh, that is funny. Sorry, but it is. I can only imagine the quilts you'll turn out now! {grin}
ReplyDeleteToo funny!!! Glad that you found it and can now happily sew all of those 1/4 inch seams.
ReplyDeleteHa! That's too funny! Although you probably didn't think so when you discovered it. I agree with you about the wording in the manual. What would make you think it was a quarter-inch foot? It looks like it works perfectly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great foot! Good find.
ReplyDeleteJackpot! I wish my Pfaff had one of those.
ReplyDeleteToo funny!
ReplyDeleteMy quilt designer has a scant 1/4" seam stitch on one of my stitch cards. I have a tendency to forget to use it, and then wonder why my seams don't match. ARGH.
Oh, how funny. I can't live without my 1/4 inch foot.
ReplyDeleteI bought my machine used so I got a box full of feet with no labelling so I found a reference and created a sheet telling me what each foot did, then my computer with the file on it got stolen so for a year and a half I haven't bothered to replace it. I have about 20 assorted feet. I guess I should get on it.
ReplyDeleteI love my Juki too!!
ReplyDeleteOh GIRL! I have Juki TL98Q as well and I dug right into that bag of tricks right away and my mind was BLOWN when I saw that foot. I use it all the time. I was so aggravated that nobody who knew better had told me before! I have to keep tightening the tiny screw on the side, though. It keeps wiggling out after lots of sewing.
ReplyDeleteHaHa I have this machine too, and I just spent an hour sewing with this foot, thinking about how much I love it.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Japan for 4 years and bought my Juki after we had been stateside for just a few months, so reading the manuals odd translations was still pretty normal for me, just like my favorite restaurant serving, shradded beef and pepper :)
um, yes. i just bought a 1/4" foot for my machine (it was only $7!), and i can't believe the difference. if only i had that when i started your monster round and round quilt along! it really could've come in handy!!
ReplyDeleteI thought for SURE you already had one of these! I went into a quilting store and claimed to be a new quilter and the lady made me buy one of these feet. Best $$ I ever spent!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Juki but I do have two other machines of which I do not know what half of the feet are for - I think maybe I better take a look see and maybe I have one something like that too.
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Wait a sec - seams are supposed to precisely match up??? Where's the fun in that? :o)
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, I love finds like that - it's almost as good as finding $20 in the pocket of last season's winter coat.
LOL...I e-mailed you about that foot two months ago! I was just a surprised as you....it is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny you just now saw that! After four years.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to make sure my next machine has that attachment. :)
That is hilarious! But I can tell you I've been surprised at the things I've found just by looking at the manual after hours of trying to figure out what was wrong with my machine for nothing.
ReplyDeletebeen there done that. i apparently owned a walking foot for 2 years before i figured out what it was... i had a DUH moment.
ReplyDeleteHow did you miss that? Oh well, no bother. You have it figured out now. Happy quarter inch seams. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteafter owning my bernina for 15 years, i thought it was dead. tried everything. took it in and the woman at the counter flipped the bobbin winder thingie back where it should be, and PRESTO! all was OK.
ReplyDeletedid i feel stupid?
100 times over!
was i relieved not to have to pay for an overhaul?
heck yes!
Now I don't feel so bad....I just bought the same machine about a month ago. I knew that foot was in there but I thought it was to compensate for really thick fabric! It is called a compensating foot!! I purchased another 1/4" foot for the machine for $14!!! hahahaha Thanks for sharing this!!!
ReplyDeleteDang I wish my machine had come with a foot like that! I may have to look into buying one... looks EVER so handy for quilting! Gah!
ReplyDeleteJust used my rolled hem foot for the first time minutes ago. Wow is it easy to hem a scarf! You'll be making quilts in half the time now with your "NEW" foot Amanda!
ReplyDeletewait a minute I have had the same machine for about 5 months, I need to go look in my bag of tricks, Now where did I put that!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you know, I have it too!! Thank you so much for the post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gadget. Wish my machine had one. I go look through my bits but I don't think so. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteMy Bernina has something similar, but not nearly as nice as that one!
ReplyDeleteOH MY Goodness!!! That is such a cute story I am so glad you are honest enough to share:) I would definitely NEVER do something LIKE THAT **SARCASM DRIPPING AWAY**
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should get one of those helpers;)
This is a very interesting tip. I've considered purchasing this machine and it's always good to hear first hand from someone who owns one. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI would NEVER do anything like that .... much!!!! Such a comfort to know there are others like me in the world LOL. I am soooo glad for this post as I always forget to use mine so thanks for reminding me that I have one of those and that it is a very useful tool :))))
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've heard of that!
ReplyDeleteI found a teflon-coated foot in my sewing machine accessories about a month ago... after making something with vinyl that was so slippery. Hmm, never wonder what extra feet I have now too. I am definitely going to look at my manual again to get a refresher. Sweet find!
Do you like your Juki? Someday I'm going to wear out my Singer and I'm starting to look at what my next machine should be - definitely something with a wider throat! I'd be interested to know what you like and don't like about yours....
ReplyDeleteSee, you've given me yet another reason to get a sewing machine just like yours. What a wonderful little tool! Makes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteI love it when I find things like this, even if it took me forever! Congratulations!
What a fantastic foot. It makes me want to go look and see if I have one hiding in my little pouch!
ReplyDeleteOk, this made me laugh and may I say I'm SO RELIEVED - just yesterday I found out my camera tripod has a telescoping rod - I've only had it for 8 years. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one still discovering new things about older possessions, lol!
ReplyDeletecan i just say one word... lOVE!!! any day that i question my sanity is a great day... means something fabulously ridiculous has occurred!
ReplyDelete:)
heather
Does your Juki get a birthday party? Just like wine, it's getting better with time.
ReplyDeleteI have had my juke for about the same length of time, and just recently realized the same thing!
ReplyDeleteI imagine all of us have a similar story :D Thanks for letting us know we are in good company!
ReplyDeleteI need that in my life! Just checked and a similar foot is available for my machine...online. I better check my box of goodies too before hitting "purchase". Might be the best $9.99 I have EVER spent! THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteI bought one recently and almost bought an overedge foot as well, which on my machine makes a stitch resembling a serge stitch. Luckily I thought to check first and my machine came with it! I used it for the first time last week. It worked perfectly to make some clearance tights I bought for women into cute footless ones for my 6 year old! I searched forever for grey ones in her size to no avail. I just lowered the waistband, cut the foot off and used the overedge foot to create a lettuce effect at the bottom--easy! Glad you found your 1/4" foot!
ReplyDeleteI've been using a foot like that forever. You'll love it! (I had to buy mine though.) :(
ReplyDeleteOMG isn't it wonderful when this happens....at least you figured it out!!!! I am going to go look and see if I have one too...different machine, though.
ReplyDeleteexciting find!
ReplyDeleteI'm considering getting a Juki (it's one of the most cost efficient models I can find)... would you recommend it? My little Janome just can't handle anything bigger than a throw, and it gets all kinds of tension problems in free-motion (like, want to throw it across the room tension problems)
Sounds like something I would do. I do think that is a cool foot. Looks like it works great!
ReplyDeleteI have one of those and I love it! This 1/4 inche foot and my walking foot, I don't use anything else! (oh and my darning foot too, but I have just started using that one....) I'm glad you found it. Better late than never!
ReplyDeleteOH MY!! I think you've just prompted me to go and have another look in my little bag of tricks and see whether I have something that fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a find!! At least you can laugh about it :)
Oh my, tis will make life so much easier! On the other hand, you can put a feather in your cap for making so many quilts without that foot and they all look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm off to check my own little bag of tricks!
ReplyDeleteI;m jalous, I like to have such a little great foot too. But I think Brother don't has it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
Hugs Gunda
Oh that is so clever!! I am off to see what may be stored in my little bag of "I-wonder-what-this-is-for" that came with my machine :)
ReplyDeleteI might have breezed right by that one even if I had read the manual - "compensating foot", huh? Glad you found it and figured it out!
ReplyDeleteOh that's so funny! I love my 1/4" seam allowance foot! I'm so glad you found yours.
ReplyDeleteI can beat that. I've owned my machine for at least 6 years now and just last week found I had a quarter inch foot! So I truly understand, though I'm not sure I like it - I've gotten so used to eyeballing a quarter inch seam without it...
ReplyDeleteBlogger Serviced Unavailable Me LOL! Anyhoo -- congrats on finding your new foot. I LOVE my 1/4" foot -- even if I have to adjust my needle so that it's accurate.
ReplyDeleteSo, now I'm wondering what you have been sewing with up to this point! :) It does look quite different than most 1/4-inch feet I've seen.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it. I never knew they even existed until recently...So I had to get one. They work great!
ReplyDeleteThis would have really helped with the quilt along quilt, huh? It's still great that you found it. I use my 1/4 foot sometimes but I've found that I love piecing with my walking foot even more. I needed one or the other because my Bernina doesn't have pressure foot adjustment and with the standard foot, my sewing just did not look so great unless I really manipulated the fabric. I didn't like that.
ReplyDeleteHow big is the throat on your juki? Looks like you can fit a good bit of your quilt under there for quilting. I love sewing machines!♥
Well, don't that beat all?
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! I've been wanting a 1/4" foot with an edger(?)for my Bernina, but just haven't wanted to fork out that much cash. I would be over the moon to discover one hidden in my stuff :)
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda Jean someone told me about a thing called a quarter inch foot on my blog a few years back so I looked it up. I even managed to find one for my really really basic kenmore machine. It transformed my sewing completely!
ReplyDeleteOh, MY! I have the same machine and I didn't realize it came with that foot. I've read the manual, but sometimes they put things in the manuals that you don't get in your specific package. I went to the website where I purchased mine and it said it came with a compensating foot. Now I'll have to go home and look in my bag! How exciting! Thanks for pointing it out!
ReplyDeleteOh how I want, no NEED, that little presser foot!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat???????????????????????????????
ReplyDeleteDigging it out right now!
And seeing if there are any other treasures in that little bag.
At least you finally found it! Now you can have precise 1/4" seam allowances for the next 4 years!
ReplyDeleteI used my Brother DAILY for 4 1/2 years before I figured out it had a button that would reposition the needle.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I knew something you didn't!! Suddenly I feel almost professional ;-)
ReplyDeleteLaugh is what you gotta do....
ReplyDeleteWhat ELSE is in your bag of tricks? Just askin'...
ReplyDeleteI got my Juki in April. That is one of the first feet I tried. Love it. I also love the walking foot for this machine. I don't like the one I use with my Bernina.
ReplyDeleteI've got the same Juki, and I discovered that foot right away! I love it!
ReplyDeleteTake the bright side: you found it before the next owner :)
ReplyDeleteYou just gotta laugh! And, it is such fun finding "new" things!
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased the same machine and LOVE the little foot!!! Isn't it just amazing :)
ReplyDeleteomg, i MUST get one of those!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am laughing right now too. So easy to overlook stuff like that. I'm sure I have something like that in my kit somewhere too. Now I'll have to go check.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great foot!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnother reason for reading the instruction manual, I guess. Maybe I need to go read mine.
ReplyDeleteI inherited my machine from my Grandma when she upgraded. Being a quilter herself, she handed me the 1/4 foot separately and told me it would save me hours of ripping out my hair and then trying to style it.
ReplyDeleteOf course she never used the darning foot. After months of trying to find one that would fit my older model, I go searching for the serial number or something so I can be sure to get the right one. Open up the panel in the bottom that I never used, and there it is! Sparkling new and just laughing at me. Grandma laughed later on too.
You’re invited to a link-up event at my place on November 5th and 6th called, The Airing of the Quilts. I hope you’ll hop over to my blog and grab the event button so you can share this opportunity with your blog followers.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your blog I decided to really check what I had in my machine box, I have a Bernina aurora 440 and found a patchworking foot that I did not know was there, it is a perfect 1/4 inch foot.
ReplyDeleteSo funny. Thanks for sharing this... I was just thinking about those little feet, because I was at a quilt festival this past weekend and took a class with brand-new Janomes that did NOT have the quarter inch foot; everyone was lost, since so many of us have relied on this "crutch" for so long!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I have been loving that Juki from afar for machine quilting... do you like it?? I want one, one of these days...
I have a 1/4 inch foot with my Elna but it isn't as spiffy as yours. In fact, my guide broke off mine. I am going to see if I can find one like yours for my machine. How funny that you just found it!
ReplyDeletepam
thanks for showing your 1/4" foot...I am sure everyone that is reading your blog went to their machine. I have an antique Singer and went to my bag of attachments and there is a place you screw in......OMG.... life is so much easier with that....no more skinny seams....thank you, thank you
ReplyDeleteI could not quilt without my 1/4 in foot. This summer I found that my machine had a foot to guide cords as you sew them down!! I don't know what the foot is called, but it works!
ReplyDeleteWell, count me in the minority--I don't love that foot! I have the Juki TL98Q as well and I always use the regular standard presser foot and here's why: when I've used the 1/4 inch foot with the guide my seams come out just fine at 1/4 inch, but my blocks are always up to a 1/4 inch off when they are finished! I press my seams open, so I don't think I'm losing too much in pressing. I can't figure it out. But everything works out hunky dory when I use the standard presser foot, which results in a smaller than 1/4 inch seam.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was making a lot of strip quilts using paper foundations when I first got my machine and I couldn't use that foot with that type of sewing.
However, YAY for finding new and awesome things to do with your machine!!
I need one of those attached to a walking foot!
ReplyDeleteHA HA!! That's so funny!! That foot is the reason I bought my machine!
ReplyDeleteI have had that machine for 2 years and that foot is still in it's original little plastic baggie. I even bought a screw type seam guide because the metric equivalent of 1/4 inch was so wrong. Anyone want to buy a little screw in seam guide?
ReplyDeleteMy machine didn't come with a little bag of goodies like your lovely Juko, but I did find out these 1/4" seam feet existed and bought one for my machine about a month ago - it is SO amazing! Best $5 I've ever spent for sure. The backs of my quilt blocks actually look NICE for the first time ever. So glad you are also enjoying your life-transforming foot!
ReplyDeleteThis is on my list of items to buy for the machine. It's also helpful for sewing clothes and getting even topstitching or finishing ruffles. Guess it helps to open the bag every once in a while. I still have a ruffle foot for my serger that need a test run or two.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I had been thinking of putting this on my Christmas list, but now I think it is a must (it will also shorten the list considerably) I have a bernina that they reffer to as vintage in the shop (12 years old) and the last foot I bought would have bought a small county!
ReplyDeletehahahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it!!
Small bags can hold wonderful things! Glad you found it.
ReplyDeletethank you so much! i just got this machine and had no idea it was in there!!! Someone needs to rewrite that manual!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! I want one of those feet for my machine!
ReplyDeletethis is what i've been trying to tell you. there's a foot for that.......
ReplyDeleteOMG, I have a Juki too (since last Christmas) but didn't know I had that foot, though I remember reading the manual and wondering what they were talking about right there. I'm going to check it out right now! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is f.u.n.n.y. I need one now. Had no idea it existed either!
ReplyDeleteI think that's funny... I blogged about this foot when I first got my machine. I don't like it. I find it's not quite scant, and my seams are always slightly off in measurement when I use it. The other thing that is annoying is that if you have a little thread from the fabric fraying, or whatever, it gets caught in that little pressure thing on the right, and then mucks it all up. Also, when you do 1/2 other sewing, such as 1/2 square triangles, you cannot use it to do 1/4" seam down the center diagonal of the square, as the compensating right part won't allow it to feed through. I actually ordered a scant 1/4" foot for my juki and it's been a dream. My seams have been perfect, except when I'm tired or not paying attention ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo freakin' way! I have had my Juki for 3 years now and never knew it had that! I know I've seen it, just never used it - I have to go check it out right now! Thanks for the heads up! Woo Hoo I'm excited!!
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself. I have owned my machine for 12 years and finally discovered I had one of those feet a couple months ago. 12 years. Not 4. Twelve! I lOVE it now that I know about it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, leaving a comment on a super old post. Will see if you get it. That compensating foot. You still using it to piece? Just got my machine yesterday and figured out quickly the little 1/4 inch mark on the throat plate is generous, though the 1 inch mark is right on. Saw that foot, read the manual, tried it anyway because at least it gives me a target. Jumped online to see what others are doing for a workaround. Your post popped up first. Why didn't I go to you first since you are the reason I bought this machine!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! Thank you! I think I can FMQ!! This machine has brought new life!