lfletcher

I have a quarter inch foot on my Janome and I use that guide for all my seams whether it says scant or not. I have never been a fan of teachers or patterns that call for a scant 1/4".

Neesie

Amen! If the fabric is cut correctly, stitched correctly, and pressed correctly, there's seldom any need for skimping on that 1/4" seam. If the fabric isn't cut correctly, all bets are off.

tropit

I usually set my seam guide to a very scant 1/4"...basically, that's about a thread's width away from a perfect1/4". However, RARELY, IF EVER do I sew a perfect seam every time. I mean, really, with only a thread's width of tolerance, how could I be THAT perfect? (I tell my DH and kids that I'm, "perfect," but they all know that it's a snow job.) And what's more, does it really matter? So long as your blocks meet the size requirements, square up and match up with the other blocks, you should be fine.

~ Cindy

ladydukes

Bonnie Hunter is one quilt designer who calls for "scant 1/4" seams in most, or a lot, of her patterns. I am going to try to figure out what I need to do/change on the pattern so that I can utilize a full 1/4" seam instead because some of my seams look more like 1/8" seams and I don't believe they should be that thin. And yes, I use Aurifil or other good thread.

IBQUILTIN

If you have a 1/4" foot for your machine, be sure to watch how you line it up. You may want to read the instructions that came with your machine to see how it needs to be lined up

JanieH

This has been so helpful - such good ideas.
And the link by paperprincess (posting #3) shows a great tutorial.

Thanks to everyone!

Madan49

Ummm.... except when it DOES! As a pattern designer, I can tell you that it really does matter if you find your perfect 1/4" seam, even on your own blocks. As an example... say you're making a very simple block from a pattern, and it calls for a 4 patch unit to be attached to another piece. If the 4 patch you've sewn doesn't have accurately sewn seams, it will not match up to the square you've cut out to attach it to. You can't blame the pattern designer for that, but it is frustrating for you as the one sewing it. Every single project you ever sew will go faster and smoother in the future if you find out first where that accurate seam is. And the more seams in the pattern, the more that matters. It's not the "quilt police" talking here... it's someone trying to help you avoid future frustration. LOL!

Kitty10628

I agree with this. Scant seams make no sense to me. I used a scant 1/4 inch seam that the pattern called for and my pieces were too big when I tried to sew them to the other part of the block. I had to rip them apart and sew then again with a true 1/4 inch seam.

sherryl1

Use what works.If your blocks measure correctly using a full 1/4 in use that.But if you find they are too small back the seam allowance back a little.Use a scant 1/4 in.Make a few test seams to find out.I think of patterns as just a guide.Adjust what you need to to get what you want.....I hope this makes sense.

sdeaaz

Annette, that is really helpful... now where is my graph paper.