Dritz Magnetic Seam Guide for Sewing Machine, 1 Count, Nickel

The media could not be loaded.  I ordered this magnetic seam guide for somewhat obvious reasons: to help me line up my fabrics better...especially when hemming.It only fits on my sewing machines--not on my serger or my coverstitch machine. The metal plates on those machines just isn't wide enough. I was hoping to use it on my coverstitch for the hems, but I love having it on my sewing machine.Basically, as you'll see in the video I made, you can place it just about anywhere on the bobbin plate...pretty far away from the needle and very close to the foot. You can also place it farther back from the needle or closer to you, depending on what you need. It's very flexible in terms of placement.The magnet is strong, so it doesn't shift or move, even if you gently knock it with your fingers.The design also makes it easy just to feed fabric right past it without the fabric getting snagged on any edges.Check out the video I made so you can get a better look at how the guide fits onto my bobbin plate and what it looks like closer up.

This magnetic seam guide grips extremely well and fit my need perfectly. However I very recently purchased another sewing machine, one that's computerized. One should not use anything magnetic in proximity to computerized machines. If I sell the older machine someone else will reap the benefits of this guide.Update July 2011: My new machine is the Brother CS6000i which has computerized stitch selection. It has a seam guide stamped into the throat plate but nothing that sticks up against which to guide the material. Without something like that I find it very difficult to maintain a straight seam. The following is a direct quote from the Brother-usa.com support page FAQ regarding my machine:You can use a magnet in the sewing area only.A magnetic should never be placed near the main board or the LCD screen.A strong magnet should never be used.I'm assuming that the Dritz magnetic seam guide will not be too strong; and now I have to buy another one. I hope this is helpful info.UPDATE 5/20/14: Since my original review the idea of seam guides has apparently come to the attention of sewing machine accessory manufacturers because there are a lot more of them to be found now. I was checking out on YouTube how to use some of the newer ones and came across a video titled "Using a Plastic Ruler as Seam Guide." Wow! Why didn't I think of that? This guy simply taped a clear ruler at the appropriate place on his machine. If you're interested you might like to see this video yourself at[...]

I thought I might use it on occasion but was wrong. The magnet is strong and keeps the guide in place even when I'm sewing heavy fabric e.g. canvas. Never dreamed it would be so helpful. Highly recommend this for every sewer.

Very sturdy with powerful magnet. Will work well for 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch seams. Unfortunately, on my Singer machine, it will not work for the purpose I most wanted -- the important 1/4 inch seam. The reason is that it gets in the way of the feed dogs below the plate. I am happy with the quality but disappointed that I cannot use it for the purpose I intended.

It is recommended for use with computerized sewing machines. Okay for basic machines. I wish the guide was completely straight instead of being curved at the ends. Also, it would be nicer if the ends were longer. I found it easy to get off track and get crooked seam allowances.

This thing is like the wheels they put on luggage. Once someone came up with the idea, you wonder how such an obvious improvement took so long to be discovered. I note that when manufacturers do attempt to provide a seam guide, it is always be way of some screw-on contraption. My question is: Why don't they include something so elegant and easy to use (or unuse) like this. I'm new to sewing, but I am struck at how fuddy-duddy and seemingly unaffected by the great wave of technology the sewing machine industry seems to be. If Steve Jobs made sewing machines, you would snap in needles, the machine would sense the type of needle, fabric, thread. Presser feet would have sensors constantly providing feedback. Everything would be servo controlled and you would have seam guides, much like this. But I go on.

This is a great! A HUGE help for a beginner sewer, like me. My only complaint is that it does leave some scratching on the throat plate.A word of caution.... Do not open this package near your laptop. I was very quick to move away (luckily) but this is a STRONG MAGNET and it can do serious damage to some electronics.UPDATE: I do a lot of top-stitching on 40 inch purse straps... for which, in my opinion, this is a must-have. The long strap feed straight through at higher speeds with almost ZERO EFFORT. Excellent purchase. I'm a happy customer with this little gadget!

I have actually used this quite a bit and it does what it says it will. There is just something about it I don't love. If I don't put my pins in my fabric in a way that takes running into this guide into consideration I'll have a problem on my hands, not a big one but irksome. I also find it fiddly, getting it positioned and then it can be knocked out of place. So until I find a better solution I'll continue to use it. But it's not ideal for me.

Actually works. It helped me sew straight. I wish it was a bit longer though. Magnet is great too.

Good product.

Used it today for the first time and it works great. My best top stitching ever.

This guide will not shift while sewing because the magnet is very strong. I tried a cheaper guide from another brand, but it kept moving out of place while I sewed, especially with heavier fabrics. I would recommend this product. It makes sewing evenly so much easier

Works really well with curved fabric pieces. The metal is super sturdy and the magnet is really strong.