Re: Isn't a welt foot made for sewing welt?

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: : : : : : I just read an earlier post where a person had trouble getting the stitch close to the welt when rounding the corner on a cushion. I was amazed how many pro upholsters use a welt foot for all their sewing needs. : : : : : : I am a third generation upholster and up until a few years ago, I only used a standard foot to sew everything. My Grandfather and my Father always filed the outside of the foot down, right into the needle hole and sewed up everything with that foot. : : : : : : When I round the corner of a cushion the needle can’t get any closer to the welt, with a filled down standard foot. I stop on the downward position, at the corner, snip the boxing, turn the fabric and the corner is sewn up perfectly tight. : : : : : : For many years I used my filed foot to sew all my welt, but today I use a welt foot for its intended use only; to sew up the welt. : : : : : : The only way a person can sew close to a welt at the corner, with a welt foot, is to allow the welt foot to walk on top the apposing welt, since the front of the foot extends beyond the needle and the needle must stop directly at the corner. : : : : : : So my question is; is the reason for using the wrong foot simply because it takes one minute to change to the right one? Or have I been missing something here? : : : : : : Babbs : : : : : Babbs, : : : : : Well, until recently, I had never heard of filing a regular foot down. Maybe I will give that a try. : : : : : I am one of those who has used a welt foot for everything since the beginning (almost 3 decades now). Sewing cording onto a cushion plate is no problem for me. Maybe in the beginning it was, but back then everything was a hassle. I am able to get as close, as needed. It does "tromp" the cording down at the corner, but that is no problem. (In fact, sometimes to make a really square corner, I squeeze the completed assembly together to accentuate the angle) : : : : : I even use my welting foot to sew zipper plates. The method I use is a little untraditional, but no one complains that two lines of stitches show on the outside of the boxing. It is fast, accurate, and strong. : : : : : I am like water. I take the route of least resistance, when it does not conflict with quality or the customer. : : : : : : : : : : Respectfully .....just to add to your comments, : : : : : Ted (IL) : : : : : : : : : : : : : I haven't put it in my mind's eye yet how/what y'all are filing off the foot. I've sewn with a cording foot for nearly three decades too, and I've always got along fine. This, not saying I've never had trouble finishing out a corner. Chinz is where I always ran into trouble most. I found that flipping the sewing material over, then re-sewing the corners from the opposite side worked well. You have your stitching from the previous side to follow. I track off to the inside using the needle bar as a guide. Kim : : : : : : : Thanks for your explanations! : : : Try this Ted and I bet you won’t go back to that clumsy welt foot when upholstering furniture! I have seen trimmers and canvas makers use the welt foot on all applications, but never used entirely for sewing up fabric for furniture. : : : And thank you Buck for admitting you have always had trouble sewing a tight seam at the corners, even with your 30 years at this trade. You are surly an honest man! : : : As far as the filed foot; picture in your mind, as you sit at your machine and look at your welt foot. Now picture in your mind if you remove the left side of the foot. Now where the needle goes through the hole in the foot, if you file the left side into the needle hole, the needle will sew right where you need it to be and you can see exactly where the corner is. I really like using my welt foot for sewing up welt. But when I sew on the boxing, I want to sew it as close as possible to the welt. By filing down a standard foot, it always sews closer to the welt then the welt foot can. And when you come to a corner, you can actually ride the stitch further up the welt, which will eliminate any stitch ever showing. : : : My concern about discussing using a welt foot only for all sewing on this board, is that the new upholsterers here might learn this method alone and always have trouble sewing corners on cushions. : : : Sorry for being so blunt, but not ever being able to keep my big mouth shut, has often made enemies for me. Hope we are still friends? : : : Babbs : : : : Hmmmmm. After giving this some careful thought, I, like ol Kim, have done that reverse stitiching trick too. Guess somethings just come automatic anymore with the brain disengaged. (Can't imagine what fun the nursing home will be someday.....then I will have a legitimate excuse. But I ain't going til J from the wuds goes wid me- he's a hoot!) : : Thanks for explaining further on how you file the foot down. I have an ol clod hopper foot that came with my Juki, and I am going to give it a try. Don't ever use it anyway. If I understand you right by leaving the right side in tact, the machine will still walk properly. : : Blunt?? Aww shucks. My wife has accused me of that many times. She is just the opposite, and I often refer to her as my public relations person. She would make a good door greeter at Walmart. They would have me in the back. : : Hey Babbs, what part of the world are ya from? I am from S. Illinois. : : Ted (IL) : Now Teddy really! I'm blushing now! I am one of those California gals. But I've never been in the "wuds". : Babbs

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