Melissa

I've been reading over the instructions for the BOM and I just don't know what a scant 1/4" is. I know it's less than 1/4", but by how much? Do I just make a guess?

I'm confused...help! :?: :!: :?:

MissTreated

I just dealt with this same thing. If you are pressing the seams to one side or the other, the amount of space it takes up to roll one of the sides up and over the seam allowance is what the scant 1/4" seam is for. (I'm filling in with some hand gestures to punctuate my explanation, but I doubt you are able to see that! :D ) It is approximately the amount of the width of a couple of threads on the fabric. On my machine, with my 1/4" foot, I sew the seam in such a way that I cannot see the edge of the fabric, but just the edge of the feed dogs. You have to find the "sweet spot" on your own machine, as it seems each machine is different. Sew a block and measure it to see how accurate your seams are, then make adjustments accordingly.

M

Melissa

Thanks M, that helps! I'll give it a try in the morning. :)

Pegggy

Yes, thank you, I've always wondered but never thought to ask....

wraez

I know what you mean about that scant qtr inch! When I was new to quilting I would measure, remeasure, cut perfect and sew a perfect qtr inch and my blocks would always be off by an 1/8 -1/4 inch, grrrrr. No big deal if I was making blox for myself, but when swapping with guild members it is another thing....many want perfect blocks!

A friend told me that instead of trying to do a scant 1/4 inch by eye on the machine, she said if my machine would do it, to move my needle to the right so that it would be a 'scant'... and you know it worked! For the first time, no frustration, my blocks came out perfect, sometimes even a smidge big and easy to square up.

Machines are different and some won't allow you to move your needle. I have a Janome that has my needle set at default of 3.5 and I click my button so that my needle moves right and my screen shows that I have it set at 4.5. (I have a qtr inch foot that has a small groove on both insides, when my needle is at 4.5 it is near the edge of the groove without my needle hitting my foot and breaking the needle) If your machine won't let you move your needle, take some blue painters tape and using a exacto blade, cut down about 4 or five layers and cut again maybe 2 inches away so that you get a 2 inch or longer strip of tape layers and tape it on your machine by your sewing area but less than a 1/4 inch. That way, your fabric will butt up to the tape easily and you don't have to worry too much that your seam will vary. Voila perfect scant 1/4 inch seams..

hope this helps!

sue

MissTreated

Excellent tip!

My friend found the secret to her scant 1/4s is to move her needle.

M

rkcrafter

I was happy to see this question right before I took my machine sewing class!

I asked my teacher and she showed me! yeah, thanks for asking the question..

I have the Brother Innovis 80 Limited edition, and used a quarter foot and moved the needle... It was spot on!

Beeflasher

:roll: Well I'm using a 1/4 'ft and I moved the needle but hold it the "guild" doesn't like it anyway, or shall I say Miss Priss. I'm fairly new but been there long enough to learn how. I get it she'll pick on me til the cows come home or someone else shows up. Poor Gal. Most everyone else is better and or real nice and Friendly and I try to be.

Beeflasher

I looked at some seams and they are tiny, But1/4" is tiny enough, scant is just a Pain.

happysewingmachine

Well I've been fighting it as well but last night I had on the1/4 ' foot and moved the needle on the Patchwork stitch which I have done a million times BUT Magic!!! IT WORKED at Last,So Practice, is the thing here as well!!! Quilt guild Problems Miss Priss Has More than Likely had her Learning Mistakes as well,