There are patterns that you absolutely need to 1/4 in order for the pattern to work. Mary Ellen Hopkins books/patterns she has the PPM as she calls it (private, personal measurement) and as long as your sewing is consistent throughtout the construction of the quilt, these patterns will work. This is not true with all quilt patterns. My opinion, if you need to learn to sew consistent to have your quilts go together, might as well learn to sew a scant 1/4 inch and be any to piece it all. Still working on that skill.