Machine Stitching Accurate Curves

[friquant]

On 2/12/2025 at 7:33 AM, Cumberland Highpower said:

That's mostly the nature of unison feed machines unfortunately.   

You're turning your work while the outer presser foot is down, and your center is anywhere other than under the needle.

Unison feed machine basically suck for leather work, but they've become the standard as they can do about everything. Leather, nylon, plastic, etc.  

You could try to train yourself to turn your work on sharp curves while the outer presser is still up, and the needle down, that might help some.  You may also want to check and see if your inner and outer foot lift is balanced. Maybe your feet don't sit square against the needleplate?  You may need to hone on the feet to fit better, more squarely.  Also try an open toe inner foot if you haven't.

Roller feed are good for tight curves and give great visibility, but really are only good on leathers that don't mar up.  They'll leave knurled tracks on top or a bit of a trough, and pretty heavy feed dog marks on the underside.  That's why they're mostly used for shoe/boot uppers.  I have a couple machines set up with large rollers that have rubber covered wheels, for visibility mostly.

Good to know the downsides of a roller feed machine.

 

Quote

You may also want to check and see if your inner and outer foot lift is balanced.

I set this at one point. I'll check and readjust.

 

Quote

Maybe your feet don't sit square against the needleplate?  You may need to hone on the feet to fit better, more squarely

That sounds like a good idea. The lifting foot mostly rests toward the rear.

 

Quote

Also try an open toe inner foot if you haven't.

What is an open toe inner foot?

[Northmount]

On 2/13/2025 at 8:22 PM, friquant said:

What is an open toe inner foot?

The foot has a slot cut in the front of the toe so you can see the needle and the leather as the needle approaches the leather.  You can cut and grind out the foot yourself.  No need to buy another foot just to get an open toe.

 

[friquant]

6 hours ago, Northmount said:

The foot has a slot cut in the front of the toe so you can see the needle and the leather as the needle approaches the leather.  You can cut and grind out the foot yourself.  No need to buy another foot just to get an open toe.

 

That makes sense...I've been focusing on the needle thread that I can see while the inner toe is in the air. Open toe would be visible more of the time