Details of making a 1/4 " seam?????
#11
I think for me it's all about consistency! Whatever I'm doing and however accurate it is I want it to be that way through the whole project. I try for the 1/4 and have several methods to achieve it but I'm not going to stress out over a little bit off one way or the other. I know for some this would drive you crazy but I'm all about relaxation and fun and my quilts will never be in a show.
#12
I think for me it's all about consistency! Whatever I'm doing and however accurate it is I want it to be that way through the whole project. I try for the 1/4 and have several methods to achieve it but I'm not going to stress out over a little bit off one way or the other. I know for some this would drive you crazy but I'm all about relaxation and fun and my quilts will never be in a show.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
I take a lined index card with 1/4 inch lines on it to check/verify my seam width.
One way is to line up the edge of the presser with a line and see where the needle comes down and measure/check that distance.
Another way is to line up the needle with a line and see where the edge of the presser foot is in relation to the next 1/4 inch line.
It seems easier to me to figure out where that 1/4 inch is in relation to the edge of my presser foot than to rely on anything else.
I will pencil/chalk a dot on a turning point if I will be making a corner.
As others have already mentioned - for most of us, the objective is to get the unit/block/item to end up being the size (more or less, depending) that we intend it to be - and seam width is just one of several factors involved in achieving that result.
One way is to line up the edge of the presser with a line and see where the needle comes down and measure/check that distance.
Another way is to line up the needle with a line and see where the edge of the presser foot is in relation to the next 1/4 inch line.
It seems easier to me to figure out where that 1/4 inch is in relation to the edge of my presser foot than to rely on anything else.
I will pencil/chalk a dot on a turning point if I will be making a corner.
As others have already mentioned - for most of us, the objective is to get the unit/block/item to end up being the size (more or less, depending) that we intend it to be - and seam width is just one of several factors involved in achieving that result.
Last edited by bearisgray; 05-13-2014 at 06:14 AM.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,086
I think for me it's all about consistency! Whatever I'm doing and however accurate it is I want it to be that way through the whole project. I try for the 1/4 and have several methods to achieve it but I'm not going to stress out over a little bit off one way or the other. I know for some this would drive you crazy but I'm all about relaxation and fun and my quilts will never be in a show.
Cheers, K
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
I bought the Prep-Tool by GuideLines 4 Quilting to get a PERFECT scant 1/4" seam. It is inexpensive and you can reuse it forever. You can also buy the Seam Guides to go along with the Prep-Tool. The Prep-Tool is like a plastic ruler that you align your needle to. Then you place the Seam Guide along the outer edge (or whatever you use for a guide) and you have a perfect SCANT 1/4" seam. I've been using this for about 3 years and love it. I buy a couple of packages of the seam guides and layer them two deep. I never lose points anymore and it is a perfect scant 1/4" seam every time. I don't know how to put the site up here, but if you google it, it'll pop right up. Give it a try. It has saved me. I tried every trick before I found this and nothing compares.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saratoga, Arkansas
Posts: 1,909
Lots of good advice here. This is a you-tube link for several videos that you might want to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...%2F4+inch+seam
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...%2F4+inch+seam
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bar Harbor, ME.
Posts: 2,911
I have decided I am going to conquer the 1/4" seam and have some questions. Do I measure from the left side, or right edge of stitching, then measure to the left side or right side of the line on the ruler? I bought a 1/4" foot, and to me it makes an 1/8" seam, I can't figure out what I am doing wrong?
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