New & some ??'s
04-18-2010, 05:46 PM
#12
Google Goddess
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central Indiana (USA)
Posts: 30,181
04-18-2010, 06:01 PM
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
To keep my 1/4" seams accurate, I use moleskin. This is purchased in the foot section of the drugstore, Target, Walmart, etc. The following method will work only if you can position your needle so that less than 1/4" of the feeddogs are exposed to the right of the needle. (On my Bernina 1230, I have to move the needle one position to the right to achieve this.)
First step is to cut strips of moleskin using a ruler and rotary cutter.
Next, I place my favorite ruler under the raised presser foot of my sewing machine and lower the needle so that it touches the 1/4" mark from the edge of the ruler. Actually, I put the needle a little to the right of the 1/4" mark so the ruler's edge is a scant 1/4" to the right of the needle.
I make sure that the ruler is aligned straight front-to-back, and then lower the presser foot to keep the ruler positioned correctly.
I remove the backing from one of the strips of moleskin and carefully position it so that one side of the moleskin is aligned with the edge of the ruler. I allow the moleskin to extend as far as possible both behind and in front of the needle.
When I sew, I just make sure that the right edges of the fabric are butted up against the moleskin. This allows me to sew accurately even if I am sewing very fast. Before finding this method, I tried a 1/4" presser foot, marking the bed of the machine, using a magnetic guide, etc. but this is by far the method that is the most accurate for me. Some people cut a thick strip out of a roll of painter's tape to achieve the same type of sewing guide, but I have always used the moleskin -- extra-thick if I can find it.
For those who may be wondering, moleskin is an adhesive cushioning material that is used on feet to protect them from shoe blisters.
HTH!
First step is to cut strips of moleskin using a ruler and rotary cutter.
Next, I place my favorite ruler under the raised presser foot of my sewing machine and lower the needle so that it touches the 1/4" mark from the edge of the ruler. Actually, I put the needle a little to the right of the 1/4" mark so the ruler's edge is a scant 1/4" to the right of the needle.
I make sure that the ruler is aligned straight front-to-back, and then lower the presser foot to keep the ruler positioned correctly.
I remove the backing from one of the strips of moleskin and carefully position it so that one side of the moleskin is aligned with the edge of the ruler. I allow the moleskin to extend as far as possible both behind and in front of the needle.
When I sew, I just make sure that the right edges of the fabric are butted up against the moleskin. This allows me to sew accurately even if I am sewing very fast. Before finding this method, I tried a 1/4" presser foot, marking the bed of the machine, using a magnetic guide, etc. but this is by far the method that is the most accurate for me. Some people cut a thick strip out of a roll of painter's tape to achieve the same type of sewing guide, but I have always used the moleskin -- extra-thick if I can find it.
For those who may be wondering, moleskin is an adhesive cushioning material that is used on feet to protect them from shoe blisters.
HTH!
04-18-2010, 06:17 PM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,414
While good quarter inch seams are always desired (in order to have good star points, etc) I think that being consistent in all seams is even better..if your seam is more like three eighths of an inch than a quarter, but it's consistent throughout the project, crossing seams should still line up correctly...again, this philosophy will not work with patterns that have points in it, since cutting instructions are designed for that "perfect" quarter inch...having a quarter inch foot helps me be accurate AND consistent.
and I support the variegated thread suggestions.
and I support the variegated thread suggestions.
04-19-2010, 06:41 AM
#19
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Keene, New Hampshire
Posts: 4,211
If your machine has a 1/4" foot it's worth buying.
My Jenomes have a metal ridge on the right side of the foot which makes keeping sewing at 1/4" easy.
I have a 1/4" Bernina foot (no ridge) so I pay strict attention to the fabric lining up exactly with the foot's right edge.
I mainly use Bottom Line to quilt, unless I want the quilting to show then I use Superior Threads verigated thread, or Masterpiece cotton when I want the look of one color
http://superiorthreads.com
My Jenomes have a metal ridge on the right side of the foot which makes keeping sewing at 1/4" easy.
I have a 1/4" Bernina foot (no ridge) so I pay strict attention to the fabric lining up exactly with the foot's right edge.
I mainly use Bottom Line to quilt, unless I want the quilting to show then I use Superior Threads verigated thread, or Masterpiece cotton when I want the look of one color
http://superiorthreads.com
04-19-2010, 06:54 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,376
Two things you asked about, first of all, you could use a clear thread like a filament type and that way your stitches would be practically invisible. You would relax more while quilting and gain confidence so that you could go on to color thread in the future.
Second, you need to look up about the "scant 1/4 inch". Basically you measure your quarter inch and then take off of that by 2 threads to get the scant 1/4. You will be surprised how much of a difference it can make. A lovely friend of mine in GA taught me that and her quilts are out of this world beautiful!
Second, you need to look up about the "scant 1/4 inch". Basically you measure your quarter inch and then take off of that by 2 threads to get the scant 1/4. You will be surprised how much of a difference it can make. A lovely friend of mine in GA taught me that and her quilts are out of this world beautiful!
Originally Posted by scrapsoftime
Hi Everyone
So glad to have found this forum. I have done many small, lap size quilts but all are quick and simple (not a lot of patience with little kids around). I'm attempting to try some new things and slow down a bit. I'm doing a 55x65 size throw quilt and will start quilting later today. I've used several different Moda fabrics (charm packs - simple) with hues of pinks/reds. Want to meander quilt it (will be my third time meander quilting). My ??: since I've not done a lot of this type of quilting, wondering if I should try to use a lighter thread (like pale pink) or go for it :) and use red. Many of the squares have red and a few are solid red but most have lighter backgrounds. And finally a very basic ?? I've been meaning to ask quilting experts forever.... no matter how much I think I'm using a perfect 1/4" seam, my squares sometimes dont line up. Is this something that takes practice or am I just NOT doing a good job on the 1/4" seam thing? I'm a lousy rotary cutter so have been thrilled of late with some of the pre-cut pieces you can buy (like Moda charm packs, jelly rolls etc). Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks so much!
Leigh
So glad to have found this forum. I have done many small, lap size quilts but all are quick and simple (not a lot of patience with little kids around). I'm attempting to try some new things and slow down a bit. I'm doing a 55x65 size throw quilt and will start quilting later today. I've used several different Moda fabrics (charm packs - simple) with hues of pinks/reds. Want to meander quilt it (will be my third time meander quilting). My ??: since I've not done a lot of this type of quilting, wondering if I should try to use a lighter thread (like pale pink) or go for it :) and use red. Many of the squares have red and a few are solid red but most have lighter backgrounds. And finally a very basic ?? I've been meaning to ask quilting experts forever.... no matter how much I think I'm using a perfect 1/4" seam, my squares sometimes dont line up. Is this something that takes practice or am I just NOT doing a good job on the 1/4" seam thing? I'm a lousy rotary cutter so have been thrilled of late with some of the pre-cut pieces you can buy (like Moda charm packs, jelly rolls etc). Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks so much!
Leigh
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