I'm with all of you, a "scant" 1/4" is a crazy measurement. Did your grandma sew everything a scant 1/4" ? I doubt it! And, if that measurement is so important, then why don't ruler manufacturers just add it to the extra 1/2" measurement on the cut side of the quilt rulers? I say, for an accurate block, line your fabric up along the 1/4" foot and suffer the consequence of your final quilt being slightly small than what the pattern says. You can always makeup the difference with your borders and, at the very least, your seams won't be splitting after the first washing.