I never really believed that until tonight. I started this strip at a sew day using my take to class machine. I made another strip tonight using different machine. I switch machines a lot finishing up projects. I think I found out why I keep pulling my hair out trying to figure out what went wrong with my blocks! Look at the difference in the strips. All the fabric pieces are cut exactly the same size, sewn together exactly the same way using a 1/4" quilting foot made for each machine. I learned a major lesson. One machine makes a perfect scant 1/4" seam the other measures 1/4" seam but appears to be a thread width bigger. A scant 1/4" does make a big difference!

Tease: One machine used is a vintage Singer 301.

Thank you for sharing this very illustrative example of how a thread or two difference multiplied across a strip makes such a difference. Now I guess you get to do some reverse sewing huh?
I'm sorry you have to redo this strip, but you have provided all of us a good lesson. ;)

I'll have to make both over. I'm saving these two to show and be examined at guild. It's for a miniature quilt so it's not much fabric involved. The 301 made the perfect scant 1/4" seam. From now on my expensive Brother will be used for machine quilting not piecing.

Ouch! Thanks for the lesson.

Wow...thank you so much for showing this...I never knew that machines could be that different. I have two machines..but rarely use the second one..only piecing with the one..I would have never noticed it. Thanks bunches

I've wondered about that! Now tell me what you're going to do with all the new hair growth? :lol: :lol:

Thanks for the visual.

Thanks for the illustration.

(I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!! - jumping up and down)

It can also be different with different presser feet.

Same thing can happen using different rulers - or what part of the line one uses as a guide.

That is also a good illustration for the benefit of doing a "test run" to make sure that the assembled pieces end up being the expected size.

I use an adjustable foot on my 301 and the needle is adjustable on the 319
I mark 1/4 lines on paper the put the paper under the foot and adjust accordingly until I have the correct distance...

Great example! Thanks for showing us. :)