Ingenuity-needle hits pressure foot when zigzag stitching

The stitch in the ditch foot is used for stitching directly in the seam line of 2 fabrics, most often for quilting lines. It is also used to sew two fabrics together. For the Stitch in the ditch sewing (quilting) place the needle in the center position, straight stitching and align the protruding blade on the stitch in the ditch presser foot directly on the seam line. Sew straight in the seamline using blade as the guide. To bind 2 fabrics, place the finished edges of the fabrics together, side by side touching. Place the foot with the blade between the two fabrics.Guide the fabric to touch the blade as you sew.
Set the stitching to zig zag stitch. Sew zig zag, keeping the fabrics touching the protruding guide on the presser foot. Hope this helps!

A satin stitch is a combination of a wide zig-zag and a short stitch length. Set the stitch width to the maximum. Then while stitching, shorten the stitch length until the threads lay next to each other so no fabric shows between the threads but the threads do not overlap. It would help if you have a satin stitch foot so there is space under the presser foot for the extra threads.

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If your machine was made to be straight-stitch only, you cannot change that. However, a straight-stitch machine usually makes the best straight stitch of all. Machines with zig-zag capability tend to make a not-so straight straight stitch . (Good for quilt piecing!)

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If you can drop the feed dogs (or have a plate to cover the feed dogs), the machine has a zig-zag stitch, and you have a darning foot or free motion foot, you can do free motion quilting, hand manipulated embroidery (monograms), and applique on a basic sewing machine. It will take some testing and quite a bit of practice. You can also use an embroidery foot to monogram and applique. You will want to sink the needle into the fabric at every corner and frequently when creating curves so you can move the fabric.

Search the internet for instructions & tutorials on how to set up your machine and the best way to accomplish what you want.

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Hi Susie,

I can't tell whether you mean straight stitching and then turning your work 180 degrees to stitch atop the straight stitches in zig-zag, or continuing around the corner of your straight stitched side using zig-zag. But you can do either. You can mix up straight and zig-zag stitching at will.

Just ease up to a stop, ensuring the needle is positioned down inside the work when you stop.
Lift the foot.
Adjust to your desired stitch setting.
Lower the foot.
Turn the wheel toward you manually to ensure the stitches will be placed where you want them, and
Slowly engage the power again (via foot or thigh lever).

Hope this helps.

This machine, when you have it on straight stitch, will sew with the needle to the left. If it's hitting the pressure foot, you may have the wrong pressure foot on the machine. If it's hitting the needle plate when you have the pressure foot removed, it's possible you have set for zig zag and you have a straight stitch needle plate on the machine. I believe this machine came with 2 needle plates. One for straight stitch, and another for zig zag.

Sounds like the needle is not connecting on one side of the zig-zag stitch. Be sure to install a brand new needle as a damaged/worn needle will sometimes skip stitches. Also, check that you are using the correct type of needle for the fabric and thread you are using. (AVOID old or bargain bin threads!) Could also be that your machine is somewhat out of time. Search for sewing machine timing or take it for service.

You can do all of these stitches by using different combinations of your stitch selector, stitch width and stitch feed knobs, for instance, on the panel I can see on your machine:

http://www.jo-ann.com/joann/product/images/52659.jsp?CATID=cat3122&PRODID=prd11333

Stitches 1, 2 & 3 are straight stitches, centered, left and right. Really basic stuff, not different stitches at all. 4,5,6,7 & 8 are zig-zag stitches of different widths. 9 is the widest zig-zag (no. 8) on a finer stitch length, etc...

I think you should try and get an instruction manual for your machine. After a lengthy search of my usual manual sources, I've determined that that this may not be so easy. I think you should contact White on their 800 number and let them try and help you... 1-800-331-3164.

If you found this helpful, please vote generously as I receive nothing other than acknowledgement for my time.

Because it is almost a straight stitch but the needle continues to move in a zig zag fashion is reason to believe it is in a long stitch. By changing the number of stitches per inch there will be a very noticeable looking zig zag stitch.