scant 1/4 inch stitch
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
It's better to use the seam width that will give you the expected size of the blocks/units you are making.
A good test - or trial run - for any project:
Cut three strips of the fabrics you plan to use 'your' two inches wide by 5 inches long
Sew them together with 'your' 1/4 inch seam and the thread you plan to use
Press the seams the way you press them - to the side, open, whatever
Measure the unit you just made - it 'should' measure 5 inches by 5 inches - and the center strip should be 1-1/2 inches wide.
If it's smaller than expected, make narrower seams.
If it's larger than expected, make wider/deeper seams.
Some variables that can affect the finished size:
Were the fabrics washed/shrunk before cutting - some shrink when steam-pressed
Cut size of pieces
Seam width
Thread thickness
Pressing technique
When I say 'your' measurements of the cut pieces - unless one is using a die cutter, one can have small size variations - depending on which ruler one uses, where one places the ruler on the fabric, etc.
A good test - or trial run - for any project:
Cut three strips of the fabrics you plan to use 'your' two inches wide by 5 inches long
Sew them together with 'your' 1/4 inch seam and the thread you plan to use
Press the seams the way you press them - to the side, open, whatever
Measure the unit you just made - it 'should' measure 5 inches by 5 inches - and the center strip should be 1-1/2 inches wide.
If it's smaller than expected, make narrower seams.
If it's larger than expected, make wider/deeper seams.
Some variables that can affect the finished size:
Were the fabrics washed/shrunk before cutting - some shrink when steam-pressed
Cut size of pieces
Seam width
Thread thickness
Pressing technique
When I say 'your' measurements of the cut pieces - unless one is using a die cutter, one can have small size variations - depending on which ruler one uses, where one places the ruler on the fabric, etc.
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
'Scant' - when referring to cooking measurements or seam widths - is just a 'tad' or 'smidgen' less than the stated measurement.
Seriously, though, I think in many cases, it means to use an exact 1/4 inch - or perhaps a 31/64 inch seam - or a 63/128 inch seam - there are so many variables, that one has to do a little practice run for most projects.
Seriously, though, I think in many cases, it means to use an exact 1/4 inch - or perhaps a 31/64 inch seam - or a 63/128 inch seam - there are so many variables, that one has to do a little practice run for most projects.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
My Bernina sews a perfect scant 1/4. I think the most important thing is to be consistent. Use the same seam allowance throughout the project. I do a test block and measure it to be sure it meets the pattern requirement.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 1,775
I've read that the reason they recommend a "scant" 1/4 inch is because the stitching line takes up "space" and it fills in the rest of the 1/4" and doesn't use any of the space required in the block itself. Clear as mud???
#8
yes to all the things Bear said and would like to add ...
.... it also depends on the thickness of the fabric you are using (especially if you are ironing to one side). An Asian print for example, will require a smaller seam allowance to get that 5" square she described, and a batik will require less. If you are using fabrics of various width's in your project, you will get various results
It will not make a whole lot of difference if you are making blocks using large pieces - say a 9 patch with 5" squares. But if you make small piece blocks (like me) it will make a LOT of difference.
Lastly, the size of the seam allowance may or may not make a difference BUT it should always be uniform. If your pattern calls for pieced border - then the size of the quilt before the border needs to be accurate which means your seam allowances need to be accurate. If you are putting on a solid pieced border you're going to measure it anyway so the quilt size can be whatever you want it to be.
.... it also depends on the thickness of the fabric you are using (especially if you are ironing to one side). An Asian print for example, will require a smaller seam allowance to get that 5" square she described, and a batik will require less. If you are using fabrics of various width's in your project, you will get various results
It will not make a whole lot of difference if you are making blocks using large pieces - say a 9 patch with 5" squares. But if you make small piece blocks (like me) it will make a LOT of difference.
Lastly, the size of the seam allowance may or may not make a difference BUT it should always be uniform. If your pattern calls for pieced border - then the size of the quilt before the border needs to be accurate which means your seam allowances need to be accurate. If you are putting on a solid pieced border you're going to measure it anyway so the quilt size can be whatever you want it to be.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
Unless the piece calls for a scant 1/4" seam, I would NOT use it. My reason is quite simple; if you habitually use a scant 1/4" seam, then when the piece requires that measurement, you'd have to use a scant scant 1/4" seam, to get the proper result. Seriously, you could "scant" yourself out of a seam, entirely!
#10
Yes, you always need to use a scant 1/4". On some patterns it won't matter in the long run, but if you are used to doing it then it becomes second nature. Then all your blocks will be perfect and life will be good.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ProquiltLongarmARTQUILTER
Main
25
02-20-2008 07:09 AM
ArtquilterNEWWAYtoQUILT
Main
16
12-11-2007 04:00 PM