The 1/4" Seam
 

Hello!

Although I made my first quilt years ago, I'm still a relatively new quilter as I have only ever made a couple of them over the years. Now that I have my own embroidery and screen printing business in a studio on my property, I have a little more time (although that keeps us pretty busy around here!).

So here is my question. What is the reason for the 1/4" seam in quilting? Is it to reduce bulk or save fabric or maybe both...or neither!? The reason I ask is that we have 5 dogs (yeah, not sure how that happened!). And of course they must always circle and scratch in their spot on the blanket or quilt when they are trying to get comfortable. This is hard on such small seams and can cause them to come apart. I was wondering what would be the harm of doing 1/2" seams. Obviously it will change the size of the pattern, but if I do it for all of them is that a bad thing? Of course I'm not going to be entering any quilt shows but just want them for our use.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Susan

I think the quarter inch seam is mostly about bulk. It's no big deal if you're doing simple squares, but if you start getting five or six or seven seams all intersecting at one point it can become a big knot.

I don't see any reason why you can't use larger seam allowances if you keep your block intersections "light". You might even consider double-sewing each seam for some extra ruggedness for the dog's quilts. Or go over it with a zigzag or tight serpentine stitch that goes over each seam, that could be interesting-looking.

I have 3 dogs myself, but mine are more interested in flipping the quilt up with their noses so they can get underneath, thankfully. They normally only paw at the quilt enough to find the edge, then under they go! I guess we keep our house too chilly, LOL.

Increasing the seams would work on simple patterns. But, when you get into more complicated patterns with more pieces and triangles this may throw the design off.

Stick with squares and rectangles and you will do just fine with 1/2" seams. Also pressing the seam allowances to one side rather than open as in clothing construction should help make stronger seams for pawing pups. Also, consider sturdier fabrics, even corduroys for pet quilts.

I had to migrate from a 5/8" sewing seam to a 1/4" quilting seam. As long as you stay with simple patterns and you can sew a consistent seam allowance, you will have no problems. But if you get into wanting to advance into piecing with triangles and other shapes, maybe it is best to learn to adjust now. It might be harder in the future. But just be consistent.

With dogs, I would make them out of sturdy fabric like denim that will take the wear and tear from their nails. Cotton won't hold up long.

We have 8 dogs at the moment... has ranged from 6-10 over the years. They are family and they sleep with us. I usually have 4-5 on my bed every night (good thing I have Calif. King) and my friend has 1-2 in her room. The main quilt on my bed is 4-5 years old - gets washed every other week, sometimes every week - and a couple of my dogs are diggers too.

I have had no problems with splitting seams. I treat my quilts like everyday objects. I don't find them to be delicate or need special treatment. Regular laundry and dry medium heat. I don't call them "utility" quilts. The one on my bed is made of batiks. But I do say that I don't quilt for profit, prizes or posterity. I do it because I enjoy it and even more enjoy seeing the quilts being USED.

I second Jeanne S and ManiacQuilter2's comments about finding a sturdier fabric for your quilts. (You can, of course, make a 3/8" or 1/2" seam with these, too.) Note the word "heavier" in fabrics such as corduroy (cloth of kings!), denim, or other cottons and consider not using batting for these, as it will only add to the weight. I have a little terrier that is a vigorous "bed-prep" digger and the denim holds up just fine.

Thank you everyone for your help! These are actually not dog quilts per se, but quilts that we use on the couch, our bed, etc. And when people say their dogs aren't allowed on the furniture I say if you come to our house you would think our dogs are not allowed on the floor! :) I do have lots and lots and lots of denim squares cut to make a quilt for the bed in our camper because I felt like that would be better when the dogs are kinda getting dirty. But other than that I usually use cotton. I can see where more complicated patterns would cause issues with bulk and throwing off the design. We have had a couple come apart (not ones I made) so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

It probably is bulk. KwikSew patterns for knits always used 1/4 seams. Knits sewing seemed to start being popular after zigzag machines with stretch stitches appeared. Most knits don't ravel very well.

Quilting is also contained stitching - the seams stay in the back of the block and are not open to wear and tear.

5/8 gives you room to finish the seam with garment sewing. It allows for an French seam.

The one seam that bothers me is the 1/2". I've seen heirloom patterns use it.