Use This Easy $6 Hack to Add a Laser Line to Any Sewing Machine

This easy sewing hack tutorial on how to add a laser line to any sewing machine will give you one of the great features of one of those fancy sewing machines for a whole lot less money.

When I was at SNAP conference a few years back I had the pleasure of test driving a Babylock Destiny sewing machine.

Now, at home, I had just a basic Janome. Super basic sewing machine. It worked great, but it was nothing fancy. What can you expect for $100?

This Janome sewing machine is similar in features and price to my first machine, which they don’t make anymore. Plus it’s a pretty color.

So when I sat down at that beautiful Babylock machine I was super excited and intimidated too. But mostly I couldn’t wait to check out all the features.

My absolute favorite feature on that machine was the laser line. It has a red laser that shines a straight line onto your project so you can see where your stitches are going to go if you keep on that path. 

This is an especially useful tool in making half square triangles for quilts and other projects. No marking necessary!! It would also help keep you on track when topstitching any project.

I loved that machine. And I tried to sit at it every chance I got. I think that year I spent more time in the sewing room than in actual conference classes.

But I about fell out of my chair when I heard the retail price of the machine. There was no way that was going to come home with me. However, if it is in your price range it is a really, really nice machine.

I did end up buying a new machine, a Juki TL2010q, a few years later. And while I still wanted to have that really sweet laser line it still was only on machines that were out of my price range.

So I decided to add my own. I mean DIY is awesome right?

Supplies

Laser (This is similar to the one I bought)
3M Small Command Strips

I bought a laser cutting straight line attachment for a power saw. You can also find it at your local Harbor Freight about $7.

I bought mine at Harbor Freight, but I linked to something similar on Amazon for you in case you don’t have a Harbor Freight near you.

How to add a laser line to your sewing machine

Then I came home and attached it to my machine. To do so you simply find a spot above the needle of your machine that you can point the laser line down at the throat plate.

It does stick out from the machine a bit, but I wasn’t too concerned about that seeing as how there’s a big chunky tension knob coming off the front of my machine as well.

I tried with just the adhesive circle that came in the package. But the movement of my machine while stitching wiggled that right off.

The circle stayed stuck the machine great. But the laser wouldn’t stay stuck to the circle.

Next, I tried the small 3M command strips. Those appear to be working great. I’ve had no issues with it as of yet, but I will update this post if that changes.

There you have it. A super easy way to add laser guides to any sewing machine. Well, any sewing machine that has a spot above the needle for you to place a guide.

Will you be adding a laser to your machine? If you found this helpful I would love if you shared it with your friends.

If you love the cute cactus pin cushion you can find that post over here.

If you want more sewing posts be sure to check out my other projects.

Also join my Facebook groups: Sewing Made Simple and Makers Gonna Make to share your projects.

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