Several of you mentioned using a scant 1/4" seam. Now, if my seam is a little more than 1/4, I end up with a slightly smaller block. If you use a scant 1/4, don't you end up with a slightly larger block?

I've found that the teachers for every class I've gone to always has some type of new foot you can/would like to/need to/MUST buy. Some I've bought, some I haven't. I also make sure that the dealer will discount them due to the class..etc.

Those little babies can sure get expensive and to tell the truth, I'll still end up with a quilt...same as I did when I was using my antique Singer :oops:

The "scant" 1/4 " seam is a couple of threads more narrow that the regular 1/4" seam. Some directions will call for this. The reason your blocks need to be consistant and measure the correct size is that as you grow with your quilting, you will begin to combine blocks...they won't fit together very well if your seams don't match....ask me how I know this :oops: :oops:

I have a friend that used to teach in her LQS and they quit asking her to teach because she wasn't selling enough of the "extras". The teachers are encouraged to sell rulers, feet, thread etc.

I'm with Patrice. If you get a good 1/4 inch seam, I don't see the harm in continuing to use the walking foot. My sewing machine has integrated dual feel that I use ALL the time. It works the same as your walking foot. I wouldn't stop using it because somebody said I shouldn't. I love the fact that it helps feed the top layer of fabric through at the same rate as the lower layer of fabric. Otherwise, the feed dogs pull the bottom layer, while the top layer is getting drag from the presser foot and they aren't going through at the same rate. A walking foot helps eliminate that.