My 1/4" foot has a guard and had found out that if I push the fabric to much, it skooched up the guard and seams were too big. So, I also have added tape, to keep my 1/4" seams more accurate. ;)

Make sure you ask for a metal 1/4" foot. When I purchased my machine the salesman sold me a plastic one. It broke! Had to go back; he then asked me if I wanted metal (would have bought metal the first time if I had known).

I did a tutorial a while back on how to check that your 1/4 inch seam is accurate. You can find the thread here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html

I had sewn with my original basic foot for many years before measuring it and discovering it was actually a scant over a 1/4". I looked for a long time to find a 1/4" foot for my Pfaff machine and didn't find one until I had to travel 200 miles to an authorized dealer to get my machine serviced. At first, I didn't care for it at all and kept going back to the other foot. Finally, I gave myself a good talking to about adapting and learning new things. lol Now I love it and seldom use the original foot. I also bought an open toe applique foot and a couple of other feet. The applique foot is wonderful for many things. :)

Isn't it wonderful when you get things figured out and you discover you are not the problem? :)

Tape on the machine is the only way I have been able to get a 1/4 inch accurately.

I always have to do a scant even with a 1/4 in foot with a quide. My blocks turn out to small otherwise.
I dont understand how others can get the quarter inch to work, it is a mystery.

I have a 1/4" foot that isn't accurate. I now only trust the tape barrier that I measured and placed myself. It really does make piecing life soooo much easier.

I have a 1/4 inch foot, but when i'm sewing without it and using the regular foot I have my blue painters tape on my machine to mark a quarter inch. Helps a lot.