Thread: 1/4 in or Scant 1/4 in

It may be a coincidence, but lately so many videos/tutes/demos on blogs or YouTube just say "sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance", no mention is ever made of the scant 1/4. I even attended a workshop recently and it wasn't mentioned.

I was taught to always use the scant (won't mention the time I pieced half the blocks using scant and the other half full 1/4! )

Remembering to reset my sewing machine everytime is a pain, but so is cutting off the points and having to rip out.

Did I missed a new trick or something?

HettyB



HettyB

I use the 1/4 inch foot on my Bernina. I use Aurifil thread so the fold over doesn't take as much material. The most important thing is to be consistent with your seam allowance.

I use a 1/4 in. seam allowance just be consistent with your seam allowance, if you size is off after the top is pieced you can always make it up in the border width it won't be much.

I agree with everyone else that consistency is the key. Not only in your actual sewing but in your measuring/cutting as well. Always use the same brand rulers throughout your project and always measure the same way (on the line; left or right of the line; etc).

Where it will make a difference is if you are making multiple quilt blocks with a varied number of seams in each block and you are expecting your blocks to match up in finished size and have points or seams match or your quilt to be relatively square when you sew it together. The best test is to check your seam allowance by checking the size of your finished product, just like the link suggests that PaperPrincess provided. Your thread weight/thickness, fabric weight and cutting methods all play a part in getting it to what it needs to be.

Originally Posted by cathyvv

No one can give me a precise definition of scant 1/4", so I just use the 1/4" foot. Seems to work for me, but I'm not out to make prize winning quilts.

My definition of a scant 1/4" - When the needle is just a hair to the right side of the 1/4" line.

Cari