quiltmouse

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.

tallchick

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!!!!

ghostrider

As long as all your seams are the same, it doesn't matter 99% of the time.

Kristin in ME

Cut precisely, press precisely, and unless it says to use a scant quarter inch, just do a normal quarter inch. (Does your machine have a quarter inch line marked on it? If so, just follow that line.)

scraphq

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".

feffertim

If you want a scant 1/4", just move your needle over one position.

BKrenning

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.

Lady Crafter

It depends on your sewing and your machine setting. You need to measure "your" 1/4 inch.

edda-k

I use a 1/4" foot with the guide at ALL times, so I keep the seam allowance consistent that way.

fireworkslover

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.