Thread: Scant quarter of an inch

I think putting the focus on the measurement of the seam allowance is what confuses people. It doesn't matter what the measurement of the seam allowance is. What matters is the size of the finished block. The question to ask is, 'What seam allowance is going to result in the block being the size it is supposed to be?"

You have to experiment to see where to set it on a particular machine. Someone recently posted a video that suggested cutting a nine inch strip of fabric, and then cutting nine 1 1/2" strips of fabric, sewing the 1 1/2" strips of fabric together, comparing that length to the 9" strip, and adjusting the seam allowance until the sewn strip matches the 9" strip. Whatever that turns out to be, that's your 'scant 1/4" seam allowance'.

I sure try very hard to do a straight 1/4 inch seam Each time the subject of the "scant 1/4" comes up, it makes me nervous. I don't know why I read it! Anyhow, to each his own and I will never be perfect But I sure enjoy the things that I make. You all go for it and enjoy!

I was not a quilter, but a sewer so I took a class for six weeks to learn how to piece a quilt. I made a queen size quilt in six months from start to complete finish on my home sewing machine. The teacher taught us to use a scant 1/4 seam and it killed me. I was used to 5/8 seams and that scant 1/4 seam was a killer for me. I ripped out every single thing I sewed because when the block was finished, it was too small. The scant 1/4 seam does make a difference because when you press your seam, it takes up room. I had to move my needle over to get that scant 1/4 seam but then I would turn off the machine and it would go back to normal needle position, so I finally learned how to do that scant 1/4 seam. I have no clue where it came from but I do know that on my vintage quilt tops, they used the scant 1/4 seam too so it has been around quite a while. It definitely affects the block, measure yours and you will see the difference.

I understand the scant 1/4 will give you a truer 1/4 when the fabric is turned and pressed. Ditto to Dunster's post

I use my pressure foot for 1/4 of an inch and instead of quilting by the side of the foot, I quilt by an imaginary line in the middle of the foot. This has always worked for me.

I do strive for the "perfect" (?) 1/4" seam, and I'm usually OK with making the block come out the right size. However, I attended a lecture by Mary Ellen Hopkins years ago who told us that we should use what works for us, using a 1/4" foot on the machine, moving the needle, etc., etc. and she called it our "Personal Private Measurement" or something similar, she does mention it in her books. I learned a valuable lesson in the 1/4" seam when a friend and myself worked together to make an Oceans Wave quilt for the church raffle quilt that year. She did one section of the block and I did another. Well, I have to tell you that our 1/4" seams were not the same, so I had to make adjustments when I was putting the blocks together. It wasn't off by much, but enough to be somewhat challenging when piecing the top together. That said, using the same machine when piecing a quilt top, makes for a happier quilter at the end of the day.