I am a fairly new quilter and have a 1/4 foot with guide. I would never sew without my 1/4 foot. Love it. Guide helps to butt the fabric against something

Just remember that sometimes (majority) it means a scant 1/4" As one of the quilting ladies said- one or two threads under 1/4 ". All my starting blocks ended up just shy of why they should be. Come to think of it - they still do when I use my foot with the guide.

With built in guide.

I have found that the 1/4" foot sometimes makes your seams a little bit bigger than 1/4". I usually use a regular foot that accommodates zig zag stitches and move my needle to the right until I get a scant 1/4". On my Elna and Brother the needle position is 6.5. Also by doing this you have more of the presser foot on the fabric, which keeps the fabric from wandering. Happy quilting.

suzyquilter
 

My new fancy Brother came with a quarter inch foot with guide and I didn't really care for it. Ended up using my 1/4 inch foot from my old Brother.

I believe your best foot is the regular foot on your machine. Marci Baker uses Qtools, Corner Cut 60 and Sewing Edge - this product is amazing. More accurate and much less expensive than 1/4" foot. Good luck!

the "guided" one is ok, for me anyway, when doing just straight seam stitching, but if I am sewing a piece with a "dog ear" to a regular, or even two triangle edges that stick out.....they get hung up on that guide, have to stop raise it, slide past and proceed...a pain in tush.....so I prefer the unguided one, with a strip of moleskin on the bed of the machine for further down guidance....just my way of doing it..

There are lots of methods for getting an accurate scant 1/4 inch.... you could buy either of the feet you mentned, or none, or both, or a variety of other feet made to fit different machines. The end result of gettng the seam allowance you need, is what is important....just find one way that works.

I have an attachment which has a slide bar which you set for whatever seam allowance you want. It has been so long since I bought it it is hard to remember just where I got it.
I can take a picture and email it if you like. There is an online store that sells all sorts of extras for quilting and sewing machines. I really believe I got it there.
If you are interested in seeing a picture of this little thing, just pm me and I will be glad to take a picture and send. I have one for both sewing machines.
Mariah

Do you need a 1/4" foot? No. But it is easier, IMHO, to use one with a guide. I've tried other methods and this works best for me. When I pin something I put the pins parallel to the seam line and far enough from the edge to clear the presser foot. I don't have to worry about sewing over pins and I have a straight 1/4" seam.