When you piece your quilt top do you always use a 1/4" or do you use a scant 1/4?
I just finished a block and it isn't 12 1/2". Thinking I should have used a scant. I measured my seam and it's exactly 1/4". How do you know which you should use.

That stupid 1/4" is the bane of my existance! I still struggle with this! If I switch machines, grrr...... In theory if you use scant that allows for the stitching line and fold of the fabric. I just cut a tiny bit bigger and square up.

when you iron your seems over each one takes up a dab of fabric making it a tiny bit smaller, so multiply by 9-30 pieces in a block and you can end up losing quite a bit, so that's why we use a scant 1/4, it's just 1-2 threads short of a full 1/4, usually just enough to make up for what you lose when you iron the seem over

Some patterns will tell you scant or regular 1/4"

Also I have learned that most of the patterns from quilters cache are for a scant 1/4" :roll: LOL Many, many, many small blocks later

I use the scant 1/4 inch. It just works better for me.

Always use a scant...I actually set up scant as my default setting on my machine.

Sometimes it can be helpful to make a practice block to see if a true 1/4" seam is going to work. Even if the pattern has several different blocks in it, sewing out atleast one should give you an idea if you need to use a 1/4" or scant 1/4". :D:D:D

You can always sash these practic blocks to get them to a uniform size and put them into a sampler quilt :D:D:D

Fabric thickness AND thread thickness changes our perceived 1/4 guide on the machines.

That's why it's best to measure often when building blocks...they turn into quilts.

So when is someone going to sell a SCANT quarter inch foot?

Huh why don't they?

It depends. If I am in a swap, then I aim to match the correct block size. If it's for me, I make sure that there are no issues with matching points, but in general I keep a consistent seam allowance.