I'm sorry, but I don't understand how one can do "patchwork" without being precise about the seam allowance. Somewhere in the piecing process one has to meet at least one seam, and if they are just "about 1/4", how does that work? To sew just to sew? Not much challenge to ones ability there.......

my feed dogs are too wide to leave the needle in the center position and get a 1/4" seam. so I put needle in the right hand position and measured 1/4" from there. Been doing this for a while now and I've not noticed any problems with the machine or gears. I have older (abt 36 yrs old) singer. Hubby got it for me our first Christmas in 1979.