Originally Posted by
joe'smom
Whenever you see '1/4" seam' or 'scant 1/4" seam', it really means the same thing -- the seam allowance that will give you the correct size block with the machine and thread you are using. I think the terminology used is just a matter of preference. Whether a pattern says 1/4" seam or scant 1/4" seam, it's always good to do a test piece to see if your block/unit is the size it is supposed to be. If it's not, then you have to adjust the seam allowance.
I made the strip set quilt from Man Sewing, using 7 strips, then cutting a square the same size as the resulting strip set. I usually use a scant 1/4 inch seam, maybe even a scant, scant 1/4 inch. So with seven strips, it got wider than it was supposed to, and when I cut the squares, I found I could only get two squares out of the strip set instead of three. What a waste. Right now it is a UFO, but I will get at it one of these days and fix it. Some of the strips will need a short patch at the end, but I'll make it work.