I've been quilting for almost ten years and continue to find sewing a scant 1/4 inch very frustrating. Is there such a thing as a quilting foot that measures this elusive 1/4 inch? If there is, I would love to own one. or is this just another one of my pipedreams.

I wish they would make a scant 1/4" foot!
I use my 1/4" foot and move the needle one click to the right :D:D:D

There is a quarter inch sewing foot. I use mine all the time. Can't piece without it. lol You should be able to purchase one that works with your machine.

I know. this new "scant 1/4 inch" is enough to drive you crazy. I've come across it and my question is...."Why not just give us the correct measurements to cut the fabric, so then we can just sew the normal 1/4 inch? "

I would not piece without my 1/4 foot with attached guide. Without the guide it's useless to me. I have one for all my machines from Featherweight to Janome. they are easy to find on Ebay and most machine shops online.
The directions would say cut strips to 1/32" if the scant 1/4" was factored in. Most would freak at that measurement. LOL

A lot of feet will sew the 1/4", but the scant is to compensate for the thread used for the piecing. If you have a thinner thread, then probably no need for adjustment. If thicker weight thread, that's when the adjusting is going to come into play.

I have a Janome 6600 and I adjust the needle position by 2 clicks to the right to compensate.

I use the standard sewing foot and move the needle to be in the right position (1/4" or scant 1/4") It is a pain!

I don't rely on a foot. I use a strip of heavyweight moleskin and butt my fabric up against that as I sew. My seams turn out much more even that way.

To measure the scant 1/4" for moleskin placement, I place my favorite cutting ruler under the presser foot, make sure it is positioned fairly straight front-to-back, move my needle position one place to the right (with my older Bernina I have to do this in order for the moleskin to clear the feeddogs), lower the needle so that it touches the ruler just to the right of the 1/4" line, and lower the presser foot to hold the ruler in place. I have already cut the moleskin into strips using a ruler and rotary cutter, so I just remove the paper from the back of the moleskin and carefully position it so it is butted up against my ruler edge.

Although I often use just a 2" or 3" long strip of moleskin, my preference if I am going to be sewing long strips together is to make the moleskin strip even longer, so it is guiding the fabric long before the fabric actually gets to the needle.

Anyway, with this method I don't have to force my eyes to constantly look at the marking on a foot; as long as the fabric is butting up against the moleskin as it feeds, I am going to get a good seamline.

As someone else mentioned, thread thickness can affect seam width. Once you have the moleskin positioned, it's a good idea to do a test of 3 2-1/2" strips sewn together so that, when ironed, you are sure the finished measurement is exactly what it should be.

Moleskin is available in the foot section of pharmacies. It is a cushioning product sold for placing on heels, etc., to prevent blisters or protect a blister from rubbing.

The 1/4" foot is NOT the issue and typically it's not the pattern either. You will have to move the needle position based on fabric and thread thickness as mentioned before. I have to move my needle when working with flannels(thicker) and the different brands and weights also affect the seam allowance. It's always best to do a test run of the fabrics you're using with the thread and move your needle over if need be. Usually I don't have to move my needle at all if I'm using LQS fabric with Aurifil 50 wt. thread. But, if I change any of those, I do a sample.

this is why the cutting of the dreaded 7/8" for HST's is a waste, i just round up. if i was cutting one strip, i may cut that, but when you are cutting alot of them, in a row..i just cut the whole number up..
and i also have the 6600 and the 1 or 2 clicks for me..are good.
(depends on what thread i am using.)