Does your machine have zig-zag or other stitch forming capabilities? If so, make sure that your needle is perfectly centered. Also, is your machine brand new or used? If it's used, it may have enough wear that it will no longer make a perfectly straight stitch again. Changing needles may help, but it may also simply be something you'll have to learn to live with.

Get a seam guide for your machine if possible--I find seam guides much more accurate than trying to use the edge of the foot.

Yes, Annie, it does do zig zag. When I select the piecing stitch, it automatically moves the needle to the right a little bit to create a 1/4th inch seam at the edge of the presser foot. It did come with a seam guide foot, so I will see if I can use that with the needle centered and see if it makes a difference. It was brand new back in September of last year, and I promise I haven't put enough wear on it in that time to make it stop working right! :)

Thanks

You can buy Sharp needles at Jo'ann's. I always use them for piecing. I'm not sure that the type of needle is what is causing your stitches to not be straight. It sounds more like it's something about the machine. You should experiment with different settings and see if it makes any difference. Maybe the machine needs to be tuned up.

I also suggest you buy some new thread - 100 % cotton and make sure the same exact thread is in the bobbin. Reread your sewing machine manual and make sure your bobbin is loaded in the bobbin case correctly (correct direction), aand which way the top thread should unwind. Flip it and see if that makes a difference.
Regarding you sewing crooked - Practice - Practice - Practice!! If you have a 1/2 speed setting on your machine, engage it. This will give you more control.
Cut some strips of solid fabric (muslin) about 6" inches wide, put 2 pcs together, edges lined up, use dark thread so you can see your stitches, and practice sewing in a straight line, using one of the marked seam allowances on your machine - 5/8" is good. Don't stare at the needle, anticipate where it is going to sew. And sew , continously trying to keep the seam straight - keep going....it is practice. You have to get comfortable with this new machine and practice basic sewing - straight stitching. After you sew that line of stitching, sew another row next to it. Keep sewing rows of stitches until you get the feel of your machine and can sew straight. Don't push the fabric, just gently guide it. It will become easy and fun.
Always use a new needle (listen to the change in sound when the needle needs to be changed). Rethread your machine whenever you have a problem - from the very beginning at the top thread and the same with the bobbin.
Don't get discourage, but you need to practice basic sewing skills - sewing forward in a straight line regardless of the seam allowance, then the 1/4" seam allowance will be easier. I also encourage you to purchase the 1/4" foot that has a little fence to help you guide the fabric and you can see the fabric at the fence.
Don't give up! You have learned alot from your 1st class, even though she didn't "hold your hand" the entire time- if nothing else you learned how important achieving a straight 1/4" seam is to the process. My experience with beginner classes, it is required that you "know your machine" and have basic sewing skills. You will learn and be able to do this easily, but it takes time and patience and practice. Please don't get frustrated and give up!
Also a good light helps, so you can see to sew.

Moving the needle is ok, but did you check the zig zag lever? Some times it gets bumped and it will cause exactly what you describe.
Marge

Since my machine is almost new (September 2009) and did this when it was new and I haven't put that much use on it, I doubt it needs tuned up. Everything I've read said that it is the needle and or thread causing this issue.

Magothyrivergirl, I've been sewing since I was a teenager, but when sewing pillows or mending clothes I wasn't as picky. I can sew "pretty" straight, but not perfectly and I know that really matters when quilting. I'm afraid my blocks won't line up if my seams aren't perfect. However, this is a first quilt, so it is giving me good practice, and if it doesn't turn out perfectly I will have something to laugh at in 30 years!

Marge, I don't have any levers except the presser foot lifter, the machine is computerized! LOL But thanks, that may have been the issue had I had a different machine. My straight stitch only machine does it too, and it doesn't have a zig zag lever either. I was using the same kind of needle and thread in both machines, so it stands to reason that one or both of them are the issue rather than the machine itself. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. For now I'm going to live with it, but the next chance I get I will buy the right thread and needle (Joann's is not exactly close and my last experience there was so traumatic I needed therapy to get over it... super long waits (40 minutes for cutting, 20 minutes for paying), so crowded there was no standing room, rude employees, crazy prices on notions, I wanted to boycott the place!). I really appreciate the time you take to respond and make this forum what it is!

Tomorrow in class, I will thread the teachers machine with my thread and see if the same thing happens. She has a 2002 Kenmore mechanical machine... the exact one I used to sell at Sears so I'm very familiar with it. Maybe she sells a better thread there that I can use. She told me I didn't need to buy thread if I had some already, but I didn't realize the stitches were going to bother me.

Bobby, I am glad to hear you are picky!!! Picky is good! Being picky makes us better - also makes us crazy, but that's another story :)
Your experience at Joanns is the same experience most people have I think. That's why they have those 40% off coupons all the time, or we cost conscientious consumers would never step foot in the place~LOL.
I never ruin a good day shopping at Joanns- I have to be in the right frame of mind.
I still suggest "practice". I bought a new machine last year, and I am just starting to get comfortable with it. I had to force myself not to use my old non electronic Pfaff for a year - the year is now over, and I am still not using it.
Have fun at your class and stay focused on the lesson for tomorrow. You can fool with the stitches later. Enjoy!

Fussy is good! You learn more, and more quickly if you take the time to question the results.

In my not so humble opinion, LOL, universal needles are for indecisive or occasional sewers. They are a compromise between sharps and ball points. I keep ball point needles around only for when I have to sew on knits. You couldn't pay me to use a universal point needle - they do badly on both knits and wovens.

I use Schmetz needles, as they seem to stay sharp longer than Singer needles, although Singer needles are OK, too. I usually use a 14/90 size sharp needle for piecing. I have a few smaller sized needles, but I use them for truly delicate fabrics, like the sheer batistes.

Here's a needle size chart.

Here is a link that might be useful: Needle sizes

To help guide your fabric in a straight line use painters tape. Painters tape doesn't leave glue residue like duct or masking tape.
If you need a 1/4 inch seam measure 1/4 inch out from the needle and lay a strip of painters tape out across the machine base. It will help you guide your fabric with out killing your eyesight.
It works well for larger seams too when you are doing draperies.

Thank you everyone! Tonight, I took an extra long lunch break and went to Joanns. I got two needle sizes. Both Shcmetz microtex, one 14/90 the other 70/10. I also got some thead... one that is just a fine thread and the other that was machine quilting thread. 13 freaking dollars for that! I looked at books too, but they didn't have any good ones this time. They did have some good beginning books last time but I was too mad to support them financially any more than I had to!

I can't wait to get home and try it out. I still have a good bit of piecing to do before tomorrow. On the back of the needle package, it says for when you want perfectly straight top stitching. Well, I'm not top stitching but I want perfectly straight stitches!

VF - if you can't sew a straight line it may be because you are focusing on the needle. It's a common mistake with beginners. Instead, concentrate on feeding the fabric in to the front of the presser foot - that is, looking in front of the needle, not at it. Or keep your eyes on the edge of the fabric so you can keep it lined up with the foot or with the painters tape. Anyplace but on that needle! Right now you are thinking this sounds absurd but try it! I am convinced that it's nearly impossible to sew a straight line if you are looking at the needle.

Also, toss out that old thread. If you've had it since you were a teenager and it's not 100% cotton, you don't need it.

I like sharps, too. That was a great choice. I have a couple dozen universals given to me by a friend who quit sewing so I use them sometimes, but I don't like them.

The machine quilting thread you bought may be a little heavy for piecing. Usually that's used for the actual quilting and a lighter thread is used for piecing, although there's nothing wrong with using the quilting thread. For the quilting thread you may want to use the larger of the needles you purchased (90/14).

13 dollars at Joann's? I can't remember ever spending that little there! LOL. All of you can say all the bad things you want about Joann's but I'm glad they are here and I visit them often. Before Joann's you either had to settle for an expensive LQS, order everything you wanted on-line, or brave the crowds at WalMart. Now Walmart's closed most of it fabric departments anyway. I always carry at least a couple Joann's coupons in my purse! It may be far from a perfect shopping experience but they almost always have something I want or need.

Kate

Thanks Kate. I usually look to the right of the presser foot to see if the fabric is moving too much... I will look in front tonight and see if that helps. I figured the machine quilting thead was actually for quilting rather than piecing, so thanks for confirming that! I compared the two while I was in line waiting to pay (I had 15 minutes to stand there and do nothing else but read the needle packages and compare thread thicknesses... that's how long it took to pay... the cutting line was long again, glad I wasn't buying fabric) and the fine thread is noticibly much thinner than the quilting... even to the naked eye.

I need to sign up for those coupons!

Print out these coupons to use.
Check this site often for Joann coupons. Take your boyfriend, give him a coupon - buy separately.

I am happy Joann's is here also-hate the way it is run, but you learn to live with it - it is great for notions, books, take advantage of batting with the coupons.

Also go to the public library and look at basic quilting books - the how to kind --read & learn -- and only buy the
correct thread, needles, supplies that you need. Save your money for buying fabric.

kate's thread for beginner quilters has very good advice and excellent books to read about the basics.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jo Anns Coupons

Print out these coupons to use.
Check this site often for Joann coupons. Take your boyfriend, give him a coupon - buy separately.

I am happy Joann's is here also-hate the way it is run, but you learn to live with it - it is great for notions, books, take advantage of batting with the coupons.

Also go to the public library and look at basic quilting books - the how to kind --read & learn -- and only buy the
correct thread, needles, supplies that you need. Save your money for buying fabric.

kate's thread for beginner quilters has very good advice and excellent books to read about the basics.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jo Anns Coupons

The smaller needle in combination with the fine thread solved the problem! Straight stitches are now straight!

Now, when piecing, I look at the front right corner of the presser foot instead of the right side of it. I see whats about to go under, not what's currently under and it really helps. Thanks for your advice!