Perfect quarter inch with the BERNINA 97D foot.

[@tamigilliam9647]

Just bought first my Bernina. This video is simple and very helpful. Thank you for that.

[@SewShelly]

Great!

[@Jgriffin0808081]

Very helpful information Wonderful camera work, no into, no music, i absolutely love videos like this thank you so much! I just bought a 570 😊 very excited! Make more of these videos! Subscribed!

[@Carol_Sews]

Thanks for explaining that I should see the 1/4-inch hash mark. I never knew exactly where to place my fabric, and I’ve been using a Bernina machine for almost 20 years. I just got a 570 QE and haven’t been able to sew a good 1/4-inch seam allowance yet.

[@NiNiRaabe11]

Learning about my 790 Pro.....OMG finally a good explanation and example of finding the perfect 1/4 stitch. Awesome foot and will use it for every quilt made.

[@ChristyFricks]

Great tutorial and explanation of how to use the stitch plate and foot markings.

[@awa1179]

Thank you. I’ve had my 740 for more than a year now and never knew this. You are a great teacher!

[@barbararowe771]

Shelly to the rescue! While the video was about the foot, only in Shelly’s video do I see/hear the most impt. thing: I should not see ANY fabric on the right of the foot. Same idea with the 1/4” mark on stitch plate: no fabric covering or directly up against 1/4” mark. Sheesh. I have all of Bernina’s 1/4” feet looking for the magic and Shelly had it all along. Thank you, thank you.

[@Zawjatulmo]

Thank You for such an informative video

[@debbiemarx7379]

Thank you Shelly so much! Purchased a 790 Plus right before lockdown and this is super helpful.

[@SewShelly]

Have fun! Great machine!

[@nanasthreads3917]

Shelly....you are a great teacher! Thanks for the videos!

[@SewShelly]

Nanas Threads. Thanks for your kind words. I will recieve them as encouragement.

[@Imjetta7]

You taught me so much here, thank you!

[@keelyalexis6998]

Best detailed video I have ever seen. Thank you

[@jenniferfarsh675]

I have a 430. I now understand all those marks. Thank you so much!!

[@annjones3009]

My favorite foot!!! Finally, I have an accurate scant 1/4”.

[@diannaa6189]

I always learn alittle something with every video. Thank you

[@Pip7-px3wq]

Hi Shelley, your video tutorials should be a standard item that come with the Bernina machines, you are an absolutely wonderful teacher 👩‍🏫✂️👌

[@SewShelly]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!

[@smallfootprint2961]

I have a very old Bernina. I'll have to look and see if there are any marks. Nice video/clear explanation. Thanks for posting.

[@JC-ru5hy]

Great explanation! So clear and helpful. Thank you.

[@marilynjohns1426]

Very helpful! So glad I bought this foot!

[@ltgal7612]

Thank you so much for making this video, I learned so much. YOU, are awesome!

[@reneejohnson4058]

Thanks Shelly. Wish you were teaching important classes like this in my town! 😩

[@pamaitchisonful]

Great clarification on 1/4 inch placement. Thank you!!

[@SewShelly]

Thanks!

[@DianaHarveyClark]

I have the 880 plus & your videos help me a lot Thanks

[@SewShelly]

So glad to be helpful!

[@ruthburke50]

I’ve been so confused ... run the fabric against the mark OR the edge of the presser foot! Thanks for clarifying.

[@Wisepati]

This is very helpful and is this a scant quarter inch.

[@paulhardy8468]

Shelly is awesome. Are you a Bernina Ambassador? You should be! I can follow your instructions and actually get it!

[@SewShelly]

Beth, I am a member of the BERNINA Event Team. I am contracted to present the BERNINA Academy events for dealers nationwide. My company is Sew Shelly Quilts. Thanks for your kind words. Shelly

[@jamesmason7647]

I have a question, just purchased a bernina 590. Also purchased a 57, 1/4” foot. It eats my fabric up with every new sq. Especially if there are several layers of material, it just won’t feed. I also use a starter scrap. I am also constantly fighting to keep the material straight. I’m a quilter and was looking to treat myself to a better machine and to learn to embroidery. But instead I am ready to return this to the dealer. Ps, this is my 2nd 590 because of the problems with this model’s first version. I don’t want to give up but I want to love my machine.

[@SewShelly]

James, I know you will love your 590. It is a great machine. Here are a few things to check. Did you know there are D feet for that machine that have dual feed capability? It is amazing. You can get 3 different 1/4. Feet with the dual feed, 37D, 57D and 97D. Both the 37 and 57 are 1/4 on both the left and right side. The 57 has an attached fabric guide. The 97D is my favorite for piecing because the left side is wider and covers the entire 9mm feed dog. It is VERY important to actually engage the dual feed when using a D foot or you won't get the best results. You should also be checking your presser foot pressure and adjust according to what fabric and project you are sewing on. Another thought, you might consider trying piecing with stitch #1303 on the 590 which is set up for piecing. Work with your dealer and take the mastery classes. The 590 is very worth any learning curve. Best wishes. Shelly

[@maryhodge2625]

A very helpful video! I love my Bernina (a 1090) but I have always been annoyed that the 1/4" seam mark on the plate is so short compared to the other seam allowances. Your tip about making sure that the fabric doesI ordered the #71 foot and it just came in.

[@tierneycreates]

Thanks so much!

[@Zawjatulmo]

Thanks so much Shelly for this video it helped a lot. Question for you how would I get a scant quarter of an inch. I have a 830 Limited edition

[@SewShelly]

Just like in the video. It would work the same on your 830. Make sure you can see the mark on the stitch plate and on the feed dog.

[@lonandmic]

@@SewShelly so following your instructions, no need to move the needle position to get a scant 1/4?

[@SewShelly]

@@lonandmic Correct.

[@mommay7]

I have really appreciated your videos! I now bind with the foot 71. Thanks for teaching me how to do that! I do have a question. I just purchased the new 570QE. I am excited to have dual feed. The preset for foot pressure is 70. I am having a difficult time sewing through a seam ironed to the side when piecing. I feel like I have to pull or push with a stiletto to get through seams. If I use my 1D or 20D this isnt a problem but I am almost exclusively a piece quilter so I would like to figure this out. I have been adjusting foot pressure but I havent solved the issue. I have been sewing on a Bernina for 46 years and love love my Bernina's. That is why I am so baffled the 97D is giving me such fits. My guess is the foot pressure. I would love it if you had any thoughts on things I should do to fix this problem.

[@SewShelly]

First, check to make sure you engage the dual feed. I know you know this but........ Next, the correct presser foot pressure is whatever you want to make the fabric flow well under the foot. There is no one pressure that is the right one. Many times I have lowered it to 30 from a default of 50 (on an 880). Lower it until you like how the fabric is feeding. Then more of the obvious, new needle matched to the size of the thread and high quality thin thread. If there is any puckering, lower the tension. That is why the BERNINA is so amazing, Total Stitch Control. You set the stitch up anyway that you want to make it successful. Last you might try piecing with stitch 1326 in the quilting menu. It has a length of 2mm. On some machines the tension is different. It is created to be the perfect stitch for piecing. You would still adjust from there but it might be a better stitch to begin with. Hope this helps! Shelly

[@mommay7]

Thank you for responding Shelly. I do have a new needle and I use aurifil thread. I will keep working the foot pressure. Also I will try the 1326 just to see how that works for me. I do take my stitch length to a 2 but I will still try that also.The stitches look very good so I feel like the tension is correct. The funny thing is I can sew with the 1D or 20D foot and it is smooth and goes over seams just fine. Probably operator error. haha I have contacted my dealer and may take it in and they will make sure feed dog are adjusted properly. Thanks again!

[@lattebarbee]

Excellent! Barbee 😊

[@SewShelly]

Barbee, Thanks!

[@fallenoakturkeys8234]

How wide is the L side of the 97D? I'm hoping for 1/2" for straight line quilting.

[@SewShelly]

The 97 foot is 3/8 inch on the left. You can use a seam guide int the back if the foot to get a perfect measurement. I will post a video if how that works.

[@PWallace23]

Do you always have to use a leader before starting? Do you feel the fabric wants to pull to the left since that right part of the feed dog is not feeding the fabric?

[@SewShelly]

I choose to use the leader for thread management. The foot would work great with or without the leader. Both the right and left feed dogs are working with the 97D. That is the beauty of it. Everything runs straight and true without pulling.

[@PWallace23]

@@SewShelly Thank you....I think I had issues with flip/sew blocks....it wanted to kick it to the left and had a hard time. I'll have to try it again!

[@SewShelly]

When I need a 1/4 inch on both sides of the foot, I use the 37 D.

[@susanbriggs5215]

do you ever use the seam guide that comes with the 97 foot?

[@SewShelly]

Susan, I do not use the seam guide for a scant 1/4 inch when piecing. I find that I push the fabric to close to the guide and don't achieve the scant 1/4 results that I want. I do much better watching the mark on the stitch plate and in the feed dog. For many the seam guide is a great tool so try both ways and see what works best for you. Here is a link to a video I made showing all of the BERNINA seam guides and how to use them that you might find interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4TWdnaIjb2pqNE

[@hazelgiles7058]

I have a Bernina 570 QE but have a bsr foot do I need the due feed one as well

[@SewShelly]

Hazel, The 570 QE that came out in 2018 has a 9mm stitch width, extra large (black) bobbin and Dual feed capability. For that machine you want the 97D. The previous 570 QE has a 5.5 mm Stitch width and the regular (silver) bobbin so the 37 would be the correct foot for piecing. In either case the BSR is for free motion quilting and has nothing to do with the piecing. You want the Quarter inch 97D or 37 feet for piecing.

[@asillygrin]

I am brand new to my Bernina, I have tried to use the 97 D foot with a 480 (doesn't have drop down dual feed) my fabric wants to "go left" and sometimes get "eaten" by the switch plate. I have spent hours adjusting pressure feet pressure back and forth .... any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong?

[@SewShelly]

Mary, My first thought is that you have the wrong foot. The 97 D is for a dual feed machine and has a space in the back of the foot for the Dual Feed mechanism to insert. Since you have a 480 without dual feed you need the 97 foot, not the 97 D. The D feet do not perform well without the Dual Feed engaged which your machine can't do.

[@SewWhittle]

With how expensive the BERNINA machines are, you’d have thought they could have marked the 1/4” a little better. Very frustrating!!

[@SewShelly]

You might try seam guides to help. There are many on the market and or you can use paiters tape.

[@jeffreylee7040]

Too big for my machine..