Is it better to sew your blocks with a scant 1/4 inch seam all the time, or do I sew a regular 1/4 inch seam?

As long as ALL your seams are the same, it shouldn't make much difference, however, I usually stick to the standard 1/4 in seam UNLESS the directions specify "scant"

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

I start out with a scant 1/4" and when I get a quadrant of the block done, I measure it to see if I am right on, or need to adjust to a 1/4" seam :D:D:D

Welcome from Ireland

Welcome from Louisiana. I use a scant most of the time:)

My foot for my machine is a scant so I always use it.

this sounds like a dumb question but what is a scant 1/4" is that just a little bit more.

Its approx one thread less than a 1/4.

Its approx one thread less than a 1/4.

Welcome :-) I use 1/4" unless it specifies.

Hello, and welcome from Idaho!
For me, it depends on the pattern. Some are more forgiving while others aren't.

I believe the reason for doing a scant 1/4" is that if you were to sew EXACTLY on the 1/4" mark, your finished seam allowance will be slightly larger than 1/4" - which means the other part of the fabric, the part that's in the block, will be a little smaller than it should be.

This is due to the fact that the thread you are sewing with takes up a little bit of room, and when you press the seam to one side you lose another little bit.

If you are doing blocks with large pieces and just one or two seams it won't really matter. But if you have lots of little pieces and many seams, they all add up. For example, if you are off 1/32" on each seam, and you have 8 seams in a block, your block will end up 1/4" too small.

I use a scant 1/4". I can always take it in and not have to rip.

Welcome from Florida!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

Hello and welcome from Ontario.

I suggest making the habit to always use an accurate 1/4th inch.

Welcome from Michigan.

Welcome and thanks for asking the question!

Thank you all for the comments, very helpful.

welcome!

Welcome from Georgia

Great dogs! :thumbup:

hello and welcome from Michigan I use a 1/4"seam !!

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

Welcome from Clanton, Alabama. I have been chasing that scant for years.

Hello and welcome from Grand Rapids, MI.

Welcome from Michigan :-)

I use a 1/4 inch guide foot and don't worry abt it

Welcome!

Hello from Western Maryland !!

welcome from se TX

Welcome from Ohio

I use a 1/4" presser foot with a guide. I have a machine you can move the needle to the left or right, so I put it one position to the right to get a perfect scant. Check to see if your machine can do this.

Welcome to the board!

Hello from San Gabriel, California

Welcome from northern Alabama!

I use 1/4" seam all the time--forget the scant...

Hello and welcome from Boston, Ma.

Consistance counts. If you start with scant then continue with scant.

Welcome. I try to use a 1/4" seam.