Recently when reading about a quilter it was mentioned that she likes to "bare needle stitch" her borders.
I googled that and found very little. I think it is when you do not use a foot on your machine.
Am I right? What is the advantage or result you get from this?
6 comments:
Let us know if you find out. I talked to someone the other day who uses her walking foot, does NOT put down the feed dogs but does turn the presser foot tension to zero. She swore by it.
Hugs - Marie
I used to do bare needle free motion embroidery in the late 1950's. It was easier on the older machines for some reason. It does mean not using a foot but you have to hold the fabric down tight to the machine bed or the quilt will bounce and there will be skipped stitches. The only advantage I can see would be that there is no foot to blind your view.
Hmmm...my MIL told me that when she was a young girl, she had the sewing needle go in to her finger while sewing. I really can't see the advantage of bare needle quilting except for visibility. Maybe a clear presser foot would do it?
I'd sew through my finger for sure. But I'd be able to see where I was going, that's the only plus I can imagine.
Interesting.
I know this technique only from free motion embroidery and the foot is taken off for better visibility, I thought. But with all the fancy free motion embroidery and quilting feet available these days, you have a good visibility while the foot is helping you to press the fabric down when the needle penetrates the fabric.
There are people stitching in the ditch straight lines using free motion quilting, while I use my walking foot and feed dogs up. It is all about preference and skill.
Thank you all for the interesting comments. It seems most are in agreement that it is a preference. I think I am with Rian....I will keep a foot on my machine.
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