Think you 1/4" seam is 1/4"?
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
I think I 'heard' Mary Ellen Hopkins advice in Jan's discussion. She was trying to help quilter's understand that we can be successful when there were some small variations in our techniques for achieving the elusive 1/4 inch. There are so many things that cause the variation-thread count of the fabric, weight of the thread you use to piece, fiber content of the thread you use, the direction you press, the machine foot you use, the markings on the machine etc. etc. One of the constants I feel is important is to use a metal tape measure on a flat surface to check accuracy. I have a Craftsman roll up tape I have used for 25 years. The key is to check frequently and learn how to deal with your own small variances to get the near perfect product.
#22
I really don't worry about exactness. I have gone through alot of steps to make a perfect quilt.After my 145th quilt they still aren't perfect. I just accept how they turn out.
I am very picky about everything I do and will redo things three times. If I can get it perfect after that I just move on.
Best way is to cut a bit larger and trim down, looks neater too.
I don't loose my points.
I have my way that works for me.
I never do block swaps, don't want someone else making blocks for me either.
I am very picky about everything I do and will redo things three times. If I can get it perfect after that I just move on.
Best way is to cut a bit larger and trim down, looks neater too.
I don't loose my points.
I have my way that works for me.
I never do block swaps, don't want someone else making blocks for me either.
#23
I had always thought that I had a good 1/4 inch seam. I made an illusion quilt that was a large circle made up of 48 wedges. In the center the tip of all of the wedges come together. The class instructor stressed testing you 1/4 inch seam. I like everyone else said "I have a 1/4 inch seam." well guess what I didn't I was 2 clicks of the needle off. The instructor showed us on her class sample the importance of this. Her circle was pretty puckered and would not lay flat. No way she could quilt it.
I checked my seam and checked it often as I made the circle. My circle went together with only a slight pucker in the middle which was easy to fix.
Being off a tiny bit doesn't hurt much on some blocks and you can fudge it to make it fit, but on other blocks it is a huge difference. My quilt guild just made a donation quilt. We passed out 40 block kits ( pre-cut). It was supposed to finish at 12 1/2 inches. Blocks varried from 13 inches down to 10 1/4 inches. We actually did a demo on 1/4 inch seams and passed out how to check it the night we passed out the blocks.
I checked my seam and checked it often as I made the circle. My circle went together with only a slight pucker in the middle which was easy to fix.
Being off a tiny bit doesn't hurt much on some blocks and you can fudge it to make it fit, but on other blocks it is a huge difference. My quilt guild just made a donation quilt. We passed out 40 block kits ( pre-cut). It was supposed to finish at 12 1/2 inches. Blocks varried from 13 inches down to 10 1/4 inches. We actually did a demo on 1/4 inch seams and passed out how to check it the night we passed out the blocks.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,402
Afraid I have to agree with AZ Jane. It all depends on why we are making our quilts. I make mine to be used not to be perfect. Guess if I was going to make wall hangings and table toppers I would be more concerned. So far that is not the case and I do the best I can but not concerned about the perfect 1/4 inch. And most of the quilts I make are ones that I design myself. I do care about my points to show properly and also my corners match up - but I figured out how to make that happen and the glue sticks and clover clips help a lot.
Last edited by quiltingcandy; 06-01-2015 at 03:20 PM.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,065
Actually, you are right. My original quilting teacher used to cal this your "personal, private measurement" or PPM. The only time it really affects you is when you are trading blocks with another sewer.
My own PPM is one click to the left of center on the needle position selectors of my 1970s and my 1990s mechanical Berninas, my preferred piecing machines. It's a bit less than 1/4 inch but I really don't care! I use the attached technique to be sure each seam I sew is accurate all the way down a long strip. With it I don't have to eyeball the edge of the pressure foot and can sew a long strip or any seam very quickly. And very accurately!
You make yours your way; I'll make mine my way!
Jan in VA
My own PPM is one click to the left of center on the needle position selectors of my 1970s and my 1990s mechanical Berninas, my preferred piecing machines. It's a bit less than 1/4 inch but I really don't care! I use the attached technique to be sure each seam I sew is accurate all the way down a long strip. With it I don't have to eyeball the edge of the pressure foot and can sew a long strip or any seam very quickly. And very accurately!
You make yours your way; I'll make mine my way!
Jan in VA
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
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