Kathy, I have the same problem. No matter what I buy to help me, it doesn't work. I have finally learned to just sew and like you said "make things work". I too get compliments but I know the truth about my seams. One thing I learned at a class I took when I first learned to quilt was to make your seams consistent. If you can't get a 1/4'' then get as close as you can but make sure that all your seams are the same. Don't stress out about it. Then it becomes a chore not a fun hobby. I am sure there are a lot of us out there that have the same problem.