Achieving an Accurate 1/4" Seam Allowance
#42
Thanks for the ideas. This was my major problem when I attempted to do a Morning Star quilt block. I will now go back and try again. Was so frustrated last year with this 1/4 seam that I put the project away. Let you know how it works for me.
#44
This is very clear and a great way to get that 1/4 in seam. I have a foot for one machine, but not for my old one. However I don't get the SCANT part at all. Trying to move a needle one or two threads seems silly. Wish it would just go away once and for all. I say the patterns should just use the 1/4 in seam and be done with it.
#49
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
Seam allowance is only one factor in getting a block to end up being the expected/hoped for size.
Was the fabric washed/shrunk before cutting? If starched/sized - the moisture and heat when it's pressed can change the size of SOME fabrics. Steam pressing can also shrink SOME unwashed fabrics.
Size of the pieces - ruler placement can make them vary up to 1/16 or an inch or more - Quilter's Rule has really thick lines - so I don't use it now.
Even using the fine lines on the rulers I use now as guides, I've noticed that my 2.5 (2-1/2) inch strips are actually about 2.52 (2-17/33) inches wide. If you use the shape-cut ruler or die cut pieces, they might be a bit smaller.
Thread thickness - some think this really matters -
Pressing techniques - try not to stretch the fabric - but make sure that there are no pleats by the seams
Seam width matters - but what really matters is that the unit or block ends up being the expected/wanted size.
Was the fabric washed/shrunk before cutting? If starched/sized - the moisture and heat when it's pressed can change the size of SOME fabrics. Steam pressing can also shrink SOME unwashed fabrics.
Size of the pieces - ruler placement can make them vary up to 1/16 or an inch or more - Quilter's Rule has really thick lines - so I don't use it now.
Even using the fine lines on the rulers I use now as guides, I've noticed that my 2.5 (2-1/2) inch strips are actually about 2.52 (2-17/33) inches wide. If you use the shape-cut ruler or die cut pieces, they might be a bit smaller.
Thread thickness - some think this really matters -
Pressing techniques - try not to stretch the fabric - but make sure that there are no pleats by the seams
Seam width matters - but what really matters is that the unit or block ends up being the expected/wanted size.
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