Great information...thanks so much.

Thanks for the ideas. This was my major problem when I attempted to do a Morning Star quilt block. I will now go back and try again. Was so frustrated last year with this 1/4 seam that I put the project away. Let you know how it works for me.

thank you very much fo rthis tutorial.. it is a good idea

This is very clear and a great way to get that 1/4 in seam. I have a foot for one machine, but not for my old one. However I don't get the SCANT part at all. Trying to move a needle one or two threads seems silly. Wish it would just go away once and for all. I say the patterns should just use the 1/4 in seam and be done with it.

QuiltingWolf, Gorgeous Roses in your Avatar!

Instead of masking tape I use moleskin. It's thicker and will last longer than tape. Nice tutorial.

iamjet, you're only measuring the center strip of fabric. It lost 1/4 in. off each side, so should be 1" after sewing.

I think I will use this to see if my 1/4 in foot is accurate. Thanks.

My machine is an oldie but a goodie BUT I don't have the needle adjust so how would I go about using the graph?

Seam allowance is only one factor in getting a block to end up being the expected/hoped for size.

Was the fabric washed/shrunk before cutting? If starched/sized - the moisture and heat when it's pressed can change the size of SOME fabrics. Steam pressing can also shrink SOME unwashed fabrics.

Size of the pieces - ruler placement can make them vary up to 1/16 or an inch or more - Quilter's Rule has really thick lines - so I don't use it now.

Even using the fine lines on the rulers I use now as guides, I've noticed that my 2.5 (2-1/2) inch strips are actually about 2.52 (2-17/33) inches wide. If you use the shape-cut ruler or die cut pieces, they might be a bit smaller.

Thread thickness - some think this really matters -

Pressing techniques - try not to stretch the fabric - but make sure that there are no pleats by the seams

Seam width matters - but what really matters is that the unit or block ends up being the expected/wanted size.

Hi Janet

You only measure the center strip not all three strips.

Kitty