How To Keep A Straight Line When Sewing

Is sewing a straight line challenging for you? Of course, it would be as it is one of the hardest things to get done. Several experts have been sewing for years to count, but only some of the time or never, they can sew a straight line.

That is why you are glad to have this article. Yeah! We have got your back as here we have some tricks and methods for you to help you sew a straight line.

These methods make it easier to sew a straight line with ease. And, who doesn’t want to sew a perfect line as it is one of the things that makes the project look highly professional?

You need to keep in mind that these methods we are sharing don’t suit all types of stitching, so read before you apply. This article will help you out with the methods on how to keep a straight line when sewing.

Here we begin.

How To Keep A Straight Line When Sewing?

Keeping a line straight while sewing seems challenging for everyone, from beginners to masters. Several methods are available to sew the straight line perfectly, but some of them still get it done.

Some of the methods include sewing the line with a grid, masking tape, zipper foot, attachable seam guide, ruler, and many more. To sew the straight line, you need to get a fabric piece ready for practice.

You just need a primary scrap of fabric or cotton rather than something stretchy or knit. You need to fold it to sew through the fabric layers.

Firstly, thread the machine you are using, ensuring that the machine is set for sewing at standard stitch length. Next, you need to adjust the stitch length, and in this, you need to make sure that you are sewing at the appropriate stitch length.

For the foot machine, you need to place the fabric under the presser foot and lower down the foot to hold the fabric intact. Before sewing, use the handwheel to lower down the needle to comprise into the fabric. Now, slowly start pressing the foot pedal downwards to sew.

You need to stitch forward for one inch and then reverse the push for one inch. After reversing over one inch, continue with the forward stitch.

By doing so, a knot will be created to tighten the stitches. Try to keep the fabric’s edge lined up with the presser foot’s edge to maintain a straight line. On reaching the end, knot the fabric again.

Raise the presser foot and remove the fabric. Snip the remaining threads attached to the fabric, and here is your straight line sewed.

Let’s discuss some methods to keep a straight line while sewing.

7 Methods To Keep A Straight Line When Sewing

Method 1 – Attach A Grid To The Sewing Machine

The first method is to attach the machine to the grid. When you place a grid over the machine, it will provide you better guidelines to keep the line straight while sewing. You can use the grid glider. The grid must be intact to the bed of your sewing machine with masking tape. You can also use a bobbin instead of masking tape.

However, it is easy to read the fabric with a grid, and it doesn’t need masking tape as it has adhesive on its back. It’s easy to remove and can be wiped with water if it loses its tack.

Method 2 – Apply Masking Tape

If you require a quick method to keep a line straight while sewing, then you can use the masking tape. It can be used on any seam allowance and fits your budget.

It would be best to use masking tape that doesn’t leave a residue. Otherwise, you need to use acetone to remove that adhesive residue from your fabric. This may lead to smearing a part of the sewing machine.

Method 3 – Use the Zipper Foot

Never limit the sewing to one method only. Always keep trying several methods to complete the project. This method is all about using the zipper foot. Zipper foot is used to insert zippers and make or insert the cording and piping in a fabric. They allow the needle to stitch closer to the traced edge, like the zipper’s teeth and the cording’s thickness.

It is an essential accessory for fashion sewing or decoration projects, and this time, we will use it to sew a straight line. Here, a zipper foot will help sew straighter to the zipper because it will only push the fabric down on one of the needle’s sides.

Not only that, it arrives in handy when making piping and attaching piping, bulky trims, or pom-poms.

Method 4 – Use an attachable cloth guide or seam guide

Nowadays, several sewing machines arrive with the L-shaped tool in them. Did you know what the tool is for? It is attached to the sewing machine’s foot and then helps you guide the fabric while sewing. It is suitable for broad or straight lines because it can adjust distinct widths.

Meanwhile, a seam guide is the machine bed marked with seam allowance lines, and if you keep the fabric’s edge aligned with it, you can stitch the straight line.

They are effective for several stitching types because they clip the fabric back to the free arm.

If your sewing machine does not have any L-shaped seam guide, then you can use the one you have. You need to rig it to work by taping it on the top of your walking foot. Then, you can adjust its distance from the needle via the on-screen commands. And with that, you are all set to keep the line straight while sewing.

Method 5 – Change The Position Of The Needle

Changing the needle position may also help in sewing straight. This works with any type of sewing machine or other tools until your sewing machine allows you to move the needle to the right or left.

If you are stitching something small that is not covering all the dogs on your sewing machine, you need to move the needle to one side. By this, your small item will be pushed by one set of feed dogs on the sewing machine.

It is also efficient in sewing the scant quarter-inch seam allowance by just moving the needle to the right.

Method 6 – Sew Straight Lines With A Ruler

Straight lines are easier to sew with a ruler and hard to achieve with a lot of marking.

When the free motion quilting is there, you can sew your straight line with a ruler. It is made of exclusive acrylic and is thicker than ordinary rulers. Due to its thickness, it won’t slip under the ruler’s work foot.

How To Sew A Straight Line Around A Corner?

When you come to the corner while sewing the straight line, you need to turn to continue sewing.

You should sew almost to the corner but leave about half an inch of space between your needle and fabric’s edge. Ensure you lower the needle to the fabric as it is essential and then lift the presser foot.

Your fabric will stay intact because the needle will be holding it, but you can pivot it to continue sewing in position in a new direction. Lower the presser foot and begin sewing again.

Sometimes, you may require a baste, the long stitch that is looser than the regular stitch. When you baste, you need not knot the thread at the beginning and the end. You will be picking the baste stitch, or you will use it to gather the fabric.

So, it’s all about how to keep a straight line while sewing. Though it is a challenging task for a beginner as well as an expert, this guide has all you need to know about keeping the line straight while sewing.

It may seem impossible initially, but with time and practice using these simple tricks, you may become an expert in it.