Question regarding the infamous 1/4"
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pratt Kansas
Posts: 1,222
If a quilter is using plain borders (one or more strips of all one color, or with border cornerstones & center cornerstones) all you need to do is be consistent with your SA with all your blocks.
Those who use pieced, decorative borders, flying geese, curling ribbons, etc., need the scant 1/4" so the borders match without adjustment.
Those who use pieced, decorative borders, flying geese, curling ribbons, etc., need the scant 1/4" so the borders match without adjustment.
#12
Thank you everyone, thats why I love everyone here; you are all so helpful!!! I will go as instructed for 1/4 in seam allowance. I just wish someone would make a scant 1/4 in foot or just keep with the 1/4 in seam allowance it sure would make things easier!!!!
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 605
As a long-time quilt maker, I would advise any newbie to just aim for an accurate 1/4 in seam. It's hard enough to make an accurate 1/4 in. seam with out worrying about the "scant". When you are adept at 1/4 In. seams, then think about the scant if your blocks aren't accurate. Happy quilting, don't sweat about the "scant things".
#17
I don't worry about it unless I'm making swap blocks and then I don't worry very much. Pressing & cutting are more important to me in achieving the correct size but my Elna pulls fabric much more smoothly than my other 2 machines and came with a true 1/4" foot. On my older machines--I had to pay much more attention while sewing--especially long seams to keep my 1/4" true. Since I learned to do it on fussier machines, maybe I'm over-estimating how much better the Elna performs but I don't think so.
#20
I've never been bothered with making sure I have exactly a 1/4" seam allowance. If you are making something from a kit or need your finished top to be an exact size, then yes you need to know this. Sometimes, when I'm working on something very small, I switch to an 1/8" seam allowance. I've only done this PP tho.
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