Its a preference i have both, i prefer without the guide but some like with. You can also use you regular foot and just change your needle position so you don't need to buy the foot, again its a choice. I have even seen them use the monograming foot on fons and porter and if you have a brother 7mm it should come with a monogramming foot

I have both 1/4" feet - the one with the guide is used when my grandkids sew so they can get an accurate seam. Once they understand where the fabric is to go they use the foot without the guide.

I have never used a 1/4 inch foot for my machine but when my Grand daughter started quilting I bought one for her. She loves the one with the guide. Her seams are perfect. Have fun with your first quilt. I can't wait to see it.

I LOVE my 1/4" foot with guide. My quilting improved immediately! BEST TING EVER!!!!!!!

I like the 1/4" foot with the guide on the side the best. I used one without the guide for years and years. And when I finally bought one with the guide I realized how simple the guide makes it to get it right.

I use the guide 1/4 inch. Sews perfect scant 1/4 inch.

I found that I was getting wider than 1/4" with the special foot. Then I discovered that lining up the edge of my fabric with the right edge of the center of the screw holding the throat plate in place on my Featherweight gave me an almost perfect scant 1/4". Always there and easy to keep lined up in advance of going under the foot.

I trued up my seams using the Eleanor Burns method. I found that I needed to move my needle to the left in order to get a true 1/4" seam, even with my 1/4" foot My quilt blocks improved dramatically after doing so. I suggest doing this with every machine. Needle position can affect seam allwance.
Sandy

I use the 1/4 with guide and it does a great job of keeping it straight. But my machine also has the markings for the 1/4 on it, which I use as well. The markings on the machine are much longer than on most machines. [ATTACH=CONFIG]398103[/ATTACH]

You can see the markings on my machine from this picture. I don't think any other machines have this ... but I could be wrong too.

I bought 2 different feet (reg shank and slant shank) and did not like them for the same reason as posted here. Also, as a PP stated, it's hard to sew if you like to use pins because they get caught on the guide edge. I took a pair of pliers and took both of the guides off.

I like Bonnie Hunters method of creating a scant 1/4" seam because it won't ruin the bed of my vintage/antique machine.

Good luck and enjoy making your first quilt!