What is a "scant" is that one thead or two less than a 1/4? Is there a "scant" foot? Why not when designing the pattern you make the blocks a "scant" bigger? I'm making a new block (for me) Double T and it calls for a "scant" seam. Wish me luck as I try to figure how big a "scant" is.

I would say a "scant 1/4" is one to two threads less than a full quarter inch. Does that help?

Yes the scant quarter inch seam is a thread or two short of a quarter inch. It is a more accurate piecing seam. When you are making more detailed pieced blocks, it makes a difference when setting them all together. There are some quilter's that go to a eighth inch seam for some blocks, to eliminate the bulk.

All I know is that it drives me nuts! I wish they would make a "scant 1/4" foot but I also realize there are other factors involved like where ones needle is positioned and each machines idoscincries. I use a small stack of post-it-notes as a sewing guide and position it after I put my ruler under the needle then line up the notes against it. I have to make sure I use the same ruler each time or it can be off.
Wendy

Here's my block. I did the scant by going one less thread. It was to big so I did the regular 1/4 and it worked. Actually when I did all the little blocks I had to trim down. I am doing this as a wedding gift for my DB. I'm getting ready to send him a the picture of the block. I'm not crazy about the color choice but SIL want light blue and white.

How you measure your fabrics while rotary cutting can also make a difference between needing a scant or 1/4" seam. If I use the far side of my ruler lines I can usually go with a 1/4", if I use the top edge of the line, I mostly have to use a scant 1/4" :wink:
Also the position of your needle in regard to your presser foot can be a variable in the seam width. As can how you see your fabric moving under the presser foot. One of my friends always has a thread outside of the presser foot while she sews...she says that she can't "see" under the foot LOL but she does have perfect seams :D:D:D

I make one block and measure it as I go, adjust my needle position, my cutting, to get the end result that I am looking for :wink: then I cut out the rest of my fabrics and start sewing them.

I forgot to say that your block is beautiful!!!! :D:D:D

Your block is beautiful. I think you did a great job and I like the fabrics. It's going to be a beautiful quilt.

I love your block, you are doing a great job!!

I also use the ruler trick that wonderful amma is talking about. I could never figure out where the heck SCANT 1/4 was so I just said the heck with it and tried cutting the way she said and sewing what I know and it works wonderfully.

pretty

very pretty! do any of you remember when we actually used *gasp* scissors to cut our fabric. hardly anything was exactly accurate "back then". I used to use my husbands sheet rock "t-square", lay the fabric out on the floor and draw a pencil line then cut- to get my borders. We've come a long way since then... Do we really NEED to be exact??? If all your seams are 1/4", whats the difference???

DB and SIL didn't like the colors of the block. Neither did I but that was what SIL wanted. DB decided he wanted blue and yellow. YEA. Got to go buy some yellow fabric. I am not breaking my new year resolution, bc I need it to finish a project.