MadQuilter

That's what I think too.

Prism99

The scant 1/4" is all about turn-of-the-cloth. When you iron a seam, some fabric is taken up by the turn at the seam. If you start with two 5" squares, sew an exact 1/4" seam (meaning 1/4" allowance to the right of the sewing thread), and iron them open, theoretically you should have a rectangle that measures 5" wide by 9.5" long. However, in real life it will measure something like 5" wide by 9.46" long. This is because part of the fabric not in the seam allowance has been taken up by the turn at the seam line.

With many patterns, the exact finished size doesn't matter.

With some patterns, it does matter. For this reason, it is good to be able to achieve a scant seam when you need it.

The easiest way for me to ensure even scant seams is to create a physical barrier on the bed of my machine. I use molefoam for this. Basically all I have to do is butt the raw edges up against this barrier to sew a consistent seam at the depth I want.

dunster

Prism explained it well. And since there's a variation in fabric and thread, there can't be a foot or other tool that tells you exactly where that scant quarter inch line should be. You need to find it yourself, based on the fabric and thread you're using for that project.

SusieQOH

I'm so glad someone else dislikes this as much as me!!! I find it to be a real PITA

PaperPrincess

The thing that always bothers me is that although we talk about the width of the seam, you shouldn't measure the seam you measure the resultant patch. Sew with the size seam that will result in the right sized block. As mentioned, there are some patterns that as long as your seams are all the same you'll be good. Other more complex blocks require more precision. It takes the same amount of time to sew the correct seam as incorrect. I'd rather spend a few minutes fine tuning my seam at the start of every project than lots of time stretching, easing or ripping blocks to fit.
Achieving an Accurate 1/4" Seam Allowance

NZquilter

I'm with you here.

Jane Quilter

Tiny patches, like 1" finished blocks or smaller, require you measure the block, not the seam, in order to make a perfect patch. That is how I make miniature quilts. Heck with the scant, it is what it is to make the patch perfect.

Barb in Louisiana

I have read that the accuracy in cutting these days does make some difference too. A simple 9 patch can be any size seam you want as long as you are consistent. A block that has 1 seam on one side and 3 on the other has to have a seam that measures to your finished block. I am getting better with scant, but I always have to sew a bit and then measure what my finish is going to be. It's just more to add to the challenge. I am sewing a log cabin precut kit right now. I know where the seam has to be on my 1/4 inch foot and where I have to move the needle, to get a size that the next log will fit perfectly. A true quarter inch is too big a seam. The scant is 2 threads less and when I move the needle 1 click to the left, I am perfect. And, I have to make sure I am running the material right at the edge of the foot. Sometimes all this stuff just drives me nuts, but I just get over it and continue on.

Quilting Chris

I use EQ7 to design quilt blocks and have noticed for some blocks at certain sizes the absolutely accurate block size may be in an increment of 1/16 of an inch. In this case, recognizing that very few users want to cut in 1/16" increments the designer may choose to instruct the user to use a scant quarter of an inch.

bearisgray

and we all know that "pita" stands for " problem in the area"