I took these photos weeks ago when I was setting up to spiral quilt the Love is Love Sky Full of Stars quilt to share this simple tip with you, but silly me misplaced the photos and then forgot about them. Oops! Well, better late than never, right? This is a really simple tip that I find handy when I am using a seam gauge in conjunction with my walking foot.
Walking Foot Washi Tape Tip
Because it is so easy to bump the seam gauge at the side of the walking foot when quilting (by accident when sliding the quilt under the needle, catching the gauge on a thick seam, catching the gauge on a basting pin, etc.), I often find that I am measuring and adjusting the seam gauge repeatedly throughout the quilting process. Instead of using my tailor’s tape obsessively, I’ve learned to simply measure out the spacing away from the needle that I want (in this case 1″) and place several layers of washi tape there to a build up a reference line.
Walking Foot Washi Tape Tip
A single piece of washi tape, shown above, works for when the quilt isn’t under the needle. But I often bump the gauge while quilting, so by adding several more layers of tape, I create a stronger ridge that I can feel through the layers of the quilt. This helps me bump the side of the gauge up against the reference line quickly to check to make sure I’m still on track with my desired spacing.
Cool idea! I’ve never used Washi tape and don’t have any. Does it hold better than masking tape would? Is it thicker?
Ooooo a great tip, thank you!
A great tip.. Can you really feel a ridge through all the quilt layers.
I love this tip. I think that is a great way to keep things lined up! Registration is always a challenge with those “arms” for walking feet.
This is a great idea!!! I don’t ever use a walking foot, but it is still a great tip!
Clever. I use washi tape in all sorts of ways all the time, but hadn’t thought about building them up to feel under the quilt. Thanks!
Years ago a quilt teacher told me to use several – 5 or 6 – layers of a post it pad as a guide when quilting. I measure the proper placement, then use the post it glue to hold it in place then use a piece of painter’s tape to hold the post its in place. I can slide my quilt along that guide and not dislodge it.