Consistently 1/16th of an inch off!
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Here is a link to a tutorial that may help:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/quar...quilts-2821362
The standard is to sew 3 strips 2.5" wide together, iron, then measure across all of them. This gives the most accurate indication of whether your seam allowance is too big, too small, or just right.
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/quar...quilts-2821362
The standard is to sew 3 strips 2.5" wide together, iron, then measure across all of them. This gives the most accurate indication of whether your seam allowance is too big, too small, or just right.
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bremerton, WA
Posts: 28
Well, here's the final verdict. After looking at images on GOOGLE for "scant 1/4 inch" - I see my issue. If I were to sew at a scant quarter, I'd be spot on... Moving forward w/the pineapple quilt, not changing anything. My next quilt, I will sew a few test pieces and measure, using the scant quarter. Quilting is such a learning adventure, no? LOL
#15
I've come to the realization that I need a seam guide in place if all my seams are to be accurate. I can sew accurately using the mark on my machine when I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed but after a while I get tired and my seam wanders a bit. That being said, as long as all my seams are consistent, even if they're a bit off the 1/4 mark, I don't worry. I've never made a quilt to be a certain size...it is what it is.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,710
I've come to the realization that I need a seam guide in place if all my seams are to be accurate. I can sew accurately using the mark on my machine when I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed but after a while I get tired and my seam wanders a bit. That being said, as long as all my seams are consistent, even if they're a bit off the 1/4 mark, I don't worry. I've never made a quilt to be a certain size...it is what it is.
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,391
I can have the perfect scant 1/4 " allowance and still be a little off the measurement. I have to make a sample unit and measure that not my seam. Funny how each unit has a different needle placement. Never figured that out. I'm just glad my seams match.
#19
It could be the printed pattern. I've heard that if you take and print a copy (say from a website) and then you use that copy to print another copy, the second copy will not be "exactly" the same size. Something about the fact that the printer reduces the second copy just a hair. So that being said, in order for all the copies to be exactly the same you would need to print all the copies from the main website that you originally printed the first one and not make copies of copies. I hope this makes sense. By the way, your block is beautiful!
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
I share your pain, but I have decided that if I always use the same machine, my blocks should all be consistent. I am not a fanatic about my blocks, and I am not denigrating anyone here; I am just plugging away at my projects and using what I produce. Happy Quilting everyone!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post