A Magnetic Seam Guide is a small metal tool that attaches to any stitch plate of a sewing machine, near the presser foot. The magnet helps the fabric that is pulled forward by your sewing machine to stay firmly in place, giving you a solid, reliable guide for setting seam allowances and sewing straight lines. Choose a seam allowance width and easily remove or reposition the guide when you change your mind. A magnetic seam guide stays solidly in place on the stitch plate, and thanks to its strong magnetic "grip" it limits your chances for mistakes.

NOTE: For ¼” seams you will need to either place before the presser foot, if you can on your machine, or move your needle all the way to the right and then use.

A Magnetic Seam Guide is different from other types of seam guides because it is a small simple piece and attaches independently to the sewing machine. The Magnetic Seam Guide works along with the marks on the needle plate. You can attach it to the needle plate and - if you have a metal machine - you can position it anywhere at the base of the sewing machine. Stick it to any part of your metal sewing machine when it is not in use.

ATTENTION: While it is safe to use the Magnetic Seam Guide on the stitch plate of computerized sewing machines, touching the other parts of the sewing machine (e.g. the LCD screen) can cause serious damage to your machine.

Using the Magnetic Seam Guide is simple and requires little preparation to work perfectly for any projects.

STEP 1: Simply refer to a pattern or personal preference to determine seam allowance, and then attach the seam guide to the sewing machine using the built-in seam guide measurements to determine accurate placement.

STEP 2: Cut fabric according to pattern specifications, and leaving an adequate amount of material to tuck into the seams. Different fabric types may require different placement of the magnetic seam allowance, so pay careful attention to the seam allowances during the first few uses of the magnetic guide to ensure proper spacing.

STEP 3: Thread the sewing machine with matching thread and prepare the fabric for sewing.

STEP 4: Align the seam edge along the magnetic seam guide and start to sew.

1. Put the Seam Guide Ruler on your sewing machine needle plate under your presser foot. Lower your needle into the hole of the Seam Guide Ruler at the seam allowance you need– at ⅝ inch for example.

2. Place the Magnetic Seam Guide against the ruler on your sewing machine. Make sure the ruler is perpendicular to the machine’s bed or the edge of the needle plate

NOTE: If you have a plastic sewing machine, the size of your needle plate/ throat plate will define for which seams you can use the magnetic seam guide for, as it won’t stick to the plastic. The bigger your needle plate is, the more options you will have to use the magnetic seam guide. If your needle plate is too small for the larger seams, you can use washi tape to mark the seam. It’s easy to remove, and doesn’t leave glue residue on your machine.

3. Raise the needle and remove the Seam Guide Ruler leaving the Magnetic Seam Guide in place. Position your fabric and start sewing confidently at your desired seam allowance (in our example at 1 ¼”) with the Magnetic Seam Guide.

The Seam Guide Ruler is also a handy ruler to measure small pieces.

The Seam Guide Ruler has a 1⁄4'' pivot marking cross. Use it to mark the pivot point for binding or for stitching corners. Put the ruler in the corner of your fabric, mark the pivot point and start sewing at ¼” inch. Continue sewing until you reach the pivot point, put your needle down, turn your fabric and continue.

Use this same pivot cross to make a "+" mark so you can match up corners.

The Seam Guide Ruler also features a handy 45° line for trimming small half-square triangles.

Use the ¼” and ½” lines on the side of the ruler to quickly mark lines for sewing…

-...or to check seam allowances.