What you say makes sense QuiltE, but don't the creators of the quilt patterns face the same bulk and thread issues as the rest of us. I use presencia thread, I press very diligently, I am very aware and careful with my 1/4" seam. This can't be rocket science. If you use a scant 1/4" seam to get the desired block size, at what point do you start jeopardizing the integrity of your seam? How many clicks over of the needle is too much? This is the part of piecing I find rather defeating. In my last quilt I was trimming frayed threads from my seams before I actually quilted the top so threads wouldn't show through on the top. The fraying wasn't bad, but you are dealing with cotton fabric and there is some fraying. Add that to a scant 1/4" seam and I fear my quilts may suffer with the test of time and washing.