the 1/4 inch seam
 

Is NOT the be-all and end-all to accurate piecing.

It is just one component of many steps.

I agree. As long as I keep my seams consistent throughout the project that is okay. And if my quilts aren't the size the pattern says it is supposed to be-- is that really a big deal. Especially if they are off the mark just a little bit. The only that will know is me.

and perfection is not the be-all, nor the end-all, to a beautiful quilt.

DITTO!!!:p

I am working on a Bargello and it really doesn't matter if the 1/4 seams are exact, they just have to be consistent. I was never a very good cook but I do strive to do my best while still enjoying the quilting process because my quilts are going to last a lot longer than I will !! Hopefully, one of my quilts will be on the Antique Roadshow in 2110 !!! :)

Sing it, sister! I do my best to use patterns where all I need to do is use a consistent seam. Either way it's not perfect and I'm fine with that.

Love this!!!!!!

Amen to all the above:thumbup:

I have fiddling with a quarter in. seam until I have finally given up. I threw my 1/4 in presser foot in the drawer and put on my regular foot. You know that one has a 1/4 in guide already on it which I had never noticed.

But as much precision/accuracyy as necessary/possible in all the steps/processes to achieve the desired result is still a worthwhile goal!

absolutely ;-)

When I belonged to a group and we all made blocks for quilts, you had to be accurate.
So I made strip sets to get my size right then wrote the needle setting on my machine. Now all my blocks come out the right size.

Forget which quilting expert was on an ancient Alex Anderson show, but her reference was the 'ppm' personal piecing measurement. In other words, consistency. I think if we can get our blocks to be very close, make the points match, etc., we are there. While striving for perfection, without the stress of it, should be our goal...none of us is perfect. Ergo, our quilts will not be perfect either. While I'm not an overly religious person, I do believe that only God is perfect and we can only be close to that. It works for me. I make my quilts with love and if there are a few booboos along the way, well, that's what makes something handmade, does it not?

I also remember a show like that. Wasn't it Billy somebody? Anyway, I also remember her saying that she didn't use a 1/4" seam, she used a 3/8" seam because is was better, less chance of fraying. You're right, consistency was the key.

I'm a handpiecer, and allthough I cut my pieces with a 1/4 inch seam allowance (yes, although I'm European/metric), I never trace a sewing line on them, and just eyeball the 1/4 inch. And the result is (in my eyes) always at least acceptable, and often very good.

I wish this were true.

Didn't she just pass away?

I strive to achieve that nice scant 1/4" seam....as long as I am consistent it works out well. My projects don't have to be perfect to be beautiful, but being close helps! :)

I found that points get cut off if I don't use an accurate 1/4" seam. Took a long time for that to sink in.