why do people do this??
#11
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
scant is difrerent in many situations.
However, if you don't want to do a scant 1/4" you certainy don't have to. However, #2, if you want your pieces to fit together you will. Just remember if you do a true 1/4" you have to account for the amount of space the fold and thread and needle size wil reduce the size. Its all in the fitting
Also if you take several of the same machines and same feet that fit it, the 1/4" will or might be slightly different. All in the mass manufacturing.
However, if you don't want to do a scant 1/4" you certainy don't have to. However, #2, if you want your pieces to fit together you will. Just remember if you do a true 1/4" you have to account for the amount of space the fold and thread and needle size wil reduce the size. Its all in the fitting
Also if you take several of the same machines and same feet that fit it, the 1/4" will or might be slightly different. All in the mass manufacturing.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: The Colony, TX
Posts: 3,364
I was reading a quilt book that I got for my birthday "Mastering Precsion Piecing" by Sally Collins. One thing that I found very interesting is that she says if we have a machine on which you can move the needle over, we really should be using a wider presser foot and moving our needle over until we have a 1/4" or scant 1/4" (whichever you prefer) at the edge of that foot. For most of us - I have a Bernina when we have our needle in the center position and use a 1/4" foot we are not using the feed dogs on the right hand side which gives us better fabric control. I haven't tried this yet but will on my next project. It is one of those aha moments and makes sense after someone tells me that.
#14
I move my needle over, and its different depending on what fabric I'm working with. For example, if I sew two batiks together I don't have to move the needle nearly as much as if I was sewing two heavier Asian prints for example. If I'm using both in the same quilt, I adjust ... and that way my 1/4" is true from fabric to fabric. Its not important when working with larger blocks, but I work quite often with very small blocks and that mis-match of fabric adjustment can make a big difference when piecing 3/4" blocks!
The only bad part about moving my needle is that I can't use the single hole plate.
The only bad part about moving my needle is that I can't use the single hole plate.
#15
I was reading a quilt book that I got for my birthday "Mastering Precsion Piecing" by Sally Collins. One thing that I found very interesting is that she says if we have a machine on which you can move the needle over, we really should be using a wider presser foot and moving our needle over until we have a 1/4" or scant 1/4" (whichever you prefer) at the edge of that foot. For most of us - I have a Bernina when we have our needle in the center position and use a 1/4" foot we are not using the feed dogs on the right hand side which gives us better fabric control. I haven't tried this yet but will on my next project. It is one of those aha moments and makes sense after someone tells me that.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Halls Cross Roads, TN
Posts: 987
That might work if I had a pricey machine, but my Brother doesn't let me do that. Wish it did. All I have is the center stitch and then it'll move one space to the left. It's really a no win situation.
Last edited by noahscats7; 03-12-2012 at 06:06 PM.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Peotone IL
Posts: 2,802
And I can't move the needle on my machine a click or two. It's a good thing I don't make small blocks. I just live with my quilts being a bit smaller than the directions say.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 4,001
I'm with all of you, a "scant" 1/4" is a crazy measurement. Did your grandma sew everything a scant 1/4" ? I doubt it! And, if that measurement is so important, then why don't ruler manufacturers just add it to the extra 1/2" measurement on the cut side of the quilt rulers? I say, for an accurate block, line your fabric up along the 1/4" foot and suffer the consequence of your final quilt being slightly small than what the pattern says. You can always makeup the difference with your borders and, at the very least, your seams won't be splitting after the first washing.
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03-26-2010 11:36 AM