why do people do this??
03-15-2012, 02:09 PM
#81
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7,312
The scant 1/4" drives me crazy. Teaching math in school, even on a kindergarten level, we did measurements and we didn't measure a "scant" 1" or any other time. I think the measurement should be "1/4 inch", period!
03-16-2012, 04:43 AM
#83
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delmarva Peninsula
Posts: 1,151
Craftsy should make their patterns a scant larger (haha) and that would solve the complaints about the blocks being too small. I square up my 12.5" blocks, so the "scant larger" gets cut off. I come from the stretch til it fits school of matching blocks, and am a heavy handed ironer.
People, it doesn't have anything to do with the patterns. All it has to do with is your own machine settings, the thread you use, the way you press and the way you cut your pieces.
The point is to have the finished piece, be it block or quilt, come out to the planned size. There are many, many ways to adjust any of the factors that affect block size and if you want to end up with a perfect 12½" block every time, you'll do what you need to for that to happen. If you don't care and prefer to just sew consistent seams, that's fine, too. It's totally your call.
The only reason patterns says "scant ¼" is because people were complaining about their blocks coming out too small for all the reason mentioned elsewhere. The pattern wording has nothing to do with it and there's no way the writer can make you sew perfect measurements. If your finished blocks are too small, they'll be too small whether the pattern said to use a scant ¼" or not. Would you prefer they say to cut the pieces a "tad" larger than the measurements listed?
Do a test block, measure it and make whatever adjustments you are comfortable with to make sure the size is what you want it to be. It's an easy habit to get into...and can save frustration and fabric galore! It's exactly like testing the gauge of knitting needles and yarn before you start a new sweater.
There is NO finite measure for a "scant" quarter inch, just as there is no finite measure for a "dash" of salt or a "dollop" of whipped cream.
The point is to have the finished piece, be it block or quilt, come out to the planned size. There are many, many ways to adjust any of the factors that affect block size and if you want to end up with a perfect 12½" block every time, you'll do what you need to for that to happen. If you don't care and prefer to just sew consistent seams, that's fine, too. It's totally your call.
The only reason patterns says "scant ¼" is because people were complaining about their blocks coming out too small for all the reason mentioned elsewhere. The pattern wording has nothing to do with it and there's no way the writer can make you sew perfect measurements. If your finished blocks are too small, they'll be too small whether the pattern said to use a scant ¼" or not. Would you prefer they say to cut the pieces a "tad" larger than the measurements listed?
Do a test block, measure it and make whatever adjustments you are comfortable with to make sure the size is what you want it to be. It's an easy habit to get into...and can save frustration and fabric galore! It's exactly like testing the gauge of knitting needles and yarn before you start a new sweater.
There is NO finite measure for a "scant" quarter inch, just as there is no finite measure for a "dash" of salt or a "dollop" of whipped cream.
03-16-2012, 06:29 AM
#84
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bosque County, Texas
Posts: 2,709
It seems as if the quilters that post come from two poles: 1. I do whatever is necessary to have a precision block with a scant 1/4 seam and 2. My blocks are about the correct size with 1/4 seam, if small I can probably iron or stretch it that scant bit needed, whatever, I'll be happy. Do we need to identify which one we are when we trade blocks? A #1 might not be so happy to receive blocks from a #2. LOL And the #2 doesn't have to be a beginner, only have a different philosophy about quilting.
Last edited by TanyaL; 03-16-2012 at 06:38 AM.
03-16-2012, 07:51 AM
#85
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
It seems as if the quilters that post come from two poles: 1. I do whatever is necessary to have a precision block with a scant 1/4 seam and 2. My blocks are about the correct size with 1/4 seam, if small I can probably iron or stretch it that scant bit needed, whatever, I'll be happy. Do we need to identify which one we are when we trade blocks? A #1 might not be so happy to receive blocks from a #2. LOL And the #2 doesn't have to be a beginner, only have a different philosophy about quilting.
03-16-2012, 07:58 AM
#86
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 155
Depending on what fabric is used, sometimes a scant 1/4" must be used to maintain the block size. Thimbleberries fabrics were always printed on heavy greige back and in order to make the block come out to size a scant seam had to be used. The fabrics are now being printed on a lighter greige and I find I do not have to use that scant 1/4" anymore. If a pattern calls for scant 1/4" seams I just add the yellow inside line on the ruler, instead of cutting on the middle line. This gives me the ability to use the 1/4" seam with out adjusting anything. I also do this if I am using a good quality heavier fabric and haven't had the problem since.
03-16-2012, 08:11 AM
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
Honestly, in many, many patterns, using 1/4 inch is just fine. Certain patterns won't come together right if you don't use a scant because it allows for the small area taken up by the thread to make a seam. Lemoyne star is one of the few that I've done where it did make a difference using scant verses not. As you get more practice in quilting, just like you can analyze and figure out a quilt without a pattern, you will learn to analyze what quilts need scant vs. lining it up with the edge. Consistency is more important for most patterns, not whether you used 1/4 inch or scant 1/4 inch.
Tanya, for most trades I've been on (several boards), your block has to be within 1/4 inch of the exact size request. People measure differently, sew differently - heck, they CUT with a rotary cutter differently!
Tanya, for most trades I've been on (several boards), your block has to be within 1/4 inch of the exact size request. People measure differently, sew differently - heck, they CUT with a rotary cutter differently!
Last edited by IAmCatOwned; 03-16-2012 at 08:14 AM.
03-24-2012, 05:57 AM
#88
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 264
The powers who many quilters give power over them is flexing their muscles again. For years its been use only 1/4 inch seam allowance. People got bored and declared you should now use a scant 1/4 seam allowance. God gave you freedom of choice, don't let humans take that away from you on something as personal as quilting. I'm thinking, except for precut kits, you can adjust a seam allowance as you see fit.
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