I really am not dumb but...........
08-28-2012, 12:54 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,571
You've already gotten wonderful explanations of the difference between 'true' and 'scant'. To your second question, on my Viking, the setting for the needle to the extreme right position and using the 'A' foot will generally give you the 'scant' measurement - IF you are really careful in keeping your fabric lined up with the edge of the foot. Otherwise, you get more of a 'true' 1/4". HTH.
08-28-2012, 01:36 PM
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 119
Viking does sell a foot with red lines for the scant 1/4" It is new I was told. I did buy it but holy cow are the feet for these new machines expensive!
08-28-2012, 09:00 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
I have had several teachers say they do not agree with the "scant" philosophy. I check to be sure my 1/4 inch is exact and sew my quilts. We collect vintage machines and I like to sew on all of them. When using different machines on one project it's important to make sure the stitch width is exactly the same on all of them. Much easier to do with a "true" 1/4" seam.
08-29-2012, 03:19 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
I have two feet for my Viking that are 1/4 inch with the guide bar. One is a two 1/4 inch with a single needle hole. I can move the needle slightly to get the scant and still miss the foot through the single hole. The other is technically a edge stitching foot . It has the guide on the side , but a wider needle opening so I can move the needle to more positions . By far I use the edge foot more than any other foot I have. The edge foot does have a marking for the 1/4 inch so you don't have to figure it out each time.
08-29-2012, 03:36 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: The Granite City, Scotland
Posts: 1,635
Bah! Any pattern that mentions a scant 1/4 is banished from my life. Since that measurement can't be defined it is worthless.
I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter.
I can't imagine my grandmother sitting at her treadle worrying if she is sewing a scant 1/4" - or a precise 1/4" either and she produced some amazing quilts!
This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress.
I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter.
I can't imagine my grandmother sitting at her treadle worrying if she is sewing a scant 1/4" - or a precise 1/4" either and she produced some amazing quilts!
This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress.
I've obviously been living under a rock - I'd never heard of 'scant' before 
However, as I've never done one, I'm assuming I'm doing OK with my 1/4" foot. You certainly can't tell from a passing plane
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
grannyjoanne
Main
29
03-21-2016 09:49 PM
Linda-in-iowa
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
28
09-01-2011 05:19 AM
