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Mastering Different Needle Positions


Presser FootAshley | November 4th, 2011

If you have a sewing machine that offers different needle positions, it’s important to learn how to use it properly to take full advantage of its benefits. Some machines provide three different needle positions, while some newer models have even more.

If your machine has zigzag capabilities, it most likely has a needle position adjustment feature. The needle position option allows you to use the guides on your presser foot and adjust the position of the sewing machine needle, letting you sew your stitches exactly where you want them. To use the needle position settings, follow these tips:

  • Align the machine foot where you want it and change the zigzag width to achieve the stitching line that you want.
  • To keep your stitching straight, make sure that your eyes are always following the guide on the machine or the foot, not the sewing needle.
  • Practice stitching on different scraps of fabric until you understand how to use the setting feature.

By changing the needle position and using the guide on the presser foot, you can sew any distance from the seam you choose. The more you experiment with these settings, the more skilled your garment making skills will become.  Check out the different settings on your Bernina sewing machine today and see what a difference changing the needle position can make.