I know what the #57 foot is, I have a couple, and I understand why it was produced. I was just suggesting the #37 shaved off as another option. And here is another suggestion, purchase a seam guide.

The #57 IS the #37 foot, with a little fence added on the right.

I have no problem with my #37 foot, except that I have to be vigilant about watching the edge of the fabric. The idea of the #57 is supposed to be that you don't have to watch as carefully--you just butt the fabric up against the fence.

I have an old 730 Bernina, and it doesn't have as many needle settings as the new ones, so simply moving the needle to the right isn't a solution. (It would give me about an 1/8 inch or 3/16 inch seam.) Besides, the whole point of buying the special feet is so I don't have to move my needle.

Is anyone else having this trouble, or did my friend and I just get lemons?

Anne in Vancouver

You could buy a #37 and grind it down some to make a scant 1/4 inch seam.

Here's a question: when feeding the patches under the foot are you lining up with both the edge of the foot and the quarter inch on the plate? This looks like the fabric is under and slightly to the left of the edge of the foot. Oh goodness I hope that makes sense.

Teri

I'll try and take photos and post them on my blog later today.

Hi Anne,
I was disappointed in the Bernina 1/4" foot also. I get a larger 1/4" than I'd like, too. As I read your post, I wondered if moving the needle over one increment to the right would give us that scant 1/4. I'm going to try it. My Pfaff 1/4 foot does a much better job and the little rudder guide is nice and thin.
Pat

I bought a #57 foot, and am disappointed because it doesn't make a scant 1/4 inch seam. Instead, it's a very full 1/4 inch seam.

A friend of mine had the same trouble, and found that by tightening the screw on the back of the foot and thereby moving the little fence on the right closer to the edge of the foot, she was able to reduce the seam allowance.

The screw on my foot, however, is already as tight as it will go, and I can't seem to change it.

Has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone found a solution? Has Bernina just gotten sloppy, maybe?

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, dismayed at the wide seam allowances I'm getting