When my iron gets gunky, I first run it over a few USED dryer sheets. Usually that does the trick. As for the scant 1/4" - just don't use a pattern first time out that requires anything scant. Consistent is way more important and that is something to learn by doing. You can watch all the youtube videos in the world and never know how it feels or how your machine handels things. So good for you on jumping in. Happy cutting, happy pressing, and happy sewing.