Can anyone tell me how to sew in snap tape edge of the tape matching right along the edge of fabric. None of my machine feet are narrow enough that they don’t hit the center snaps and then practically refuse to budge while I’m sewing.
I’m getting soo frustrated and fed up. I just want to do a simple, quick project (but it will probably be a repeated item)using only 1-2 feet of tape.
I’ve tried everything I can think of. I’d like to stitch the tape down using a narrow satin stitch edging.
If I can find black snap tape that’s wider than the standard 5/8″ inch wide tape I found at Joanne’s, I’d be able to finish my project. I need tape that’s wide enough so that any of my feet (even the zipper foot!) doesn’t hit the snap while I’m sewing the edge of the tape.
I’ve emailed Dritz asking them to explain advise which foot will allow me to sew the tape, but they indicated it could take up to two weeks for a reply. Any sewing advice and purchase info in the mean time would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Amy
Replies
Abcameo,
That sounds extremely frustating. Do you have a machine that will let you move the line of stitching to the left or right? It sounds like one of those jobs where you move most of the foot off the material and just use the far-right or far-left stitching line to get the job done.
Good luck.
I tried every foot I have and did move the fabric and needle to try to avoid hitting the snaps down the center of the tape, but the left edge of each presser foot still wasn't clearing the snaps.My Janome machine doesn't use the typical narrow, pointy zipper foot. I think that might work. I purchased a generic one, but the needle hits the edge of the presser foot on the down stroke, so that idea was also a bust. :(
You may have to free motion embroider the tape on without a foot. Cathy
>> ... generic one, but the needle hits the edge of the presser foot on the down stroke ... <<
I take this to mean the happening occurs when the bar is set at it's furthest position on either side.
How old is your machine?
Maybe by using the Ask Jan link from the company's site, you can find out if janome has a single toe presser foot you can consider purchasing. I suggest you use the Sewing Techniques from the upper left drop-down menu.
http://janome.com/index.cfm/LearningCenter/AskJan
If you can, please post and let us know how your connundrum resolves.
nepa
Thanks very much for the suggestion and link. I just joined that forum, and I'll post over there and see if anyone has an answer and if there is a generic zipper foot I can purchase that will fit my machine.I still haven't heard back from Dritz, but they did say it would take about 2 weeks.
Is the generic single toe foot from Dritz? To my knowing Singer has bubble pckg's in the Notions aisle ay Jo-Ann's.
To satisfy my curiotity, I opened Ask Jan. Opened FAQ. Scrolling down there was a Q? asking as to sewing piping & getting close enough. That URL follows. It reads like Janome has a Narrow Base zipper foot.
http://janome.com/index.cfm/LearningCenter/AskJan/Sewing_techniques/93
Reading the name description, I realized my initial search failed because I used the wrong bytes. Tried Narrow Base zipper foot and the lead entry when the next URL opened has a part #.
http://janome.com/index.cfm/Search
Please do let us know what you get from the Forum there.
nepa
Some times the best zipper foot is an old one that screws onto the post and you can move the foot itself. these seem to fit most machines I have tried. So if you have an old machine or have a machine shop near by perhaps you can find one that fits. In my town we have a wonderful old sewing machine mechanic who seems to have parts for almost every machine made. You could take your machine to a shop and try a few out. Good luck!
Sancin's suggestion to seek out a retired sewing mechanic is well said. These folks are gurus to be sure.
I've noticed some of the company's now offer a narrow zipper foot as abcameo came to know after being unsuccesful in using a generic single toe foot.
My rational is the single toe ... - aka narrow ... - might be difficult to manuufacture in a snap-on style because of the need to slide the toe as needed. But hey, some clever someone might do the designing & make it possible.
One thing for certain is having a single toe - narrow in one's arsenal is a HUGE help for specific needs.
nepa
After finding out from the Janome forum reply that the company now has the narrow, pointed zipper foot for my machine, I'm ordering it. I hope that will do the trick.
>> ... hope that will do the trick. <<
You can be absolutely certain it will!!
The issue with the generic is likely the configuration of it and your needle bar. If the diameter of the bar, & spacing as the generic attaches, are off even a cm, the problem is as you encountered. The machine needle fails to go into the correct space.
Grand you came to a solution. I figure you'll find other uses for the narrow base zipper foot.
Did you order it from the Janome site?
nepa
I didn't know Janome came out with a narrow, pointed zipper foot for my machine. Just a couple of years ago, when I tried to research purchasing this, I ended up settling for the generic part because none existed for my machine.
Anyway, I'm ordering it from Ken's Sewing: http://www.kensewingcenter.com
I like them very much--they're very helpful, good prices, etc.
Gracious of you to post the URL. Other members may find it of value.
Sure hope the narrow base zipper foot arrives in due time so you can complete your project.
nepa
I notice that you plan to use "narrow satin stitch edging". A narrow zigzag would work, with one half on the tape and the other on the fabric if you have a foot that would do that.
Thanks for this new approach. It's one I haven't tried yet. I'll see how it works when I take a break from my next project already in progress.
Have you tried using your zipper/piping foot. Your foot would be to the outside edge of the tape barely holding it in place. My zipper foot flips.
My zipper foot isn't shaped like the narrow, pointy type, so it doesn't work--I tried that.Thanks for the suggestion, though.
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