Oh me too ! Glad I am not the only one :)

! I hear ya! I do pretty good at the reg 1/4 inch. I am lucky to do that. I have noticed on my new machine, looks like it is a scant 1/4 when i sew. But I just try to make all the seams match, good enough for me!

They sewed along the seam line and the seam allowance was the fabric left over.

Many of us cut first and sew the seam based on the cut edge. That's what leads to difference between quilters' blocks. If I draw a line and sew on that line it doesn't matter what the seam allowance turns out to be.

More scant questions - does scant mean towards the outside edge? If so, do I sew the 1/4 inch, then resew it and pull out the 1/4 inch sew line. This all seems very confusing to me, also. How do you guage 1 - 2 threads smaller?

It's just a slightly narrow 1/4" seam. I use a 1/4" pressure foot with a metal stop on the outside, so you put fabric up against that and you have the perfect 1/4", move it over so there is a slight space between the fabric and the metal stop and it's a scant 1/4". Mary Ellen Hopkins says that the 1/4" seam is your own PPM (personal private measurement), and as long as you continue using the same 1/4" on the same machine you should be fine. Now I suppose I have made this as clear as mud, but happy quilting anyway.

Um!! I did not know there was a difference either. Thanks for sharing. I have really learned a lot here. That's were most of my time go when I am suppose to sewing or quilting. Hee hee hee!

I did that and let me tell you it was not pretty. It wouldn't lay flat. I had little mole hills through out my top. I pulled and pleated the corners to match, it was interesting.

I just use the straight 1/4 inch seam. I can't see a few extra threads. I say don't worry about it.

You can also buy a "scant" 1/4" foot. I have one for my featherweight. This foot will also fit my Viking and White sewing machines. I use this foot a lot and my blocks come out perfectly. The cost of the foot was about $13.00, as I recall. I even like it better than the 1/4" foot for my Bernina.

"Scant" becomes important on a complex block with lots of seams. If you oversize a seam by 1/32 of an inch (ya, I know, who can measure that?)and have 8 seams in the block, you will be off 1/4 inch on the block. Multiply that times 8 blocks across the quilt and now you are off an inch. If you then have a pieced border to put on, you won't get it to fit without mega stretching or tucks. So there, you scant say I didn't tell you!

I know about the scant 1/4", but what I'd like to know is why didn't they make the original pattern keeping the plain old regular 1/4" in mind when designing the block. Seems it would have been easier...atleast for me! ;)

Now why would anyone want to keep anything simple when they can make it hard? froggyintexas

To make sure I am getting a perfect 1/4" seam, I cut 3 pieces of fabric at 1 1/2" wide by whatever length - 6" or so. Set your machine for the 1/4" seam you usually use & stitch all three pieces together on the longer sides. Press the seam allowances all toward the same direction. Now take your ruler and measure the middle section. If it is exactly 1" side, you've got your perfect 1/4" seam. If it is too narrow, you need to move your needle to the right. If it is less than 1/4", move it to the left. Repeat sewing 3 1" wide srips together until you've got that 1" middle sction. Write down what your machine's settings for this are & put it where you can see it!

I have the Janome 6600P & you'd think that after spending $2000 for it, I would get a perfect 1/4" with their 1/4" foot. Well, of course not! The default setting for needle placement is 3.5. I have to move the needle to 4.1 for a normal 1/4" seam & 4.2 for a scant 1/4" seam. I love my Janome so I don't mind moving it round.

I think so too.

I have the quarter inch foot, and that is what I go by. I figure if I am consistent with that, all my pieces will fit together fine. So far so good.

I stick with a normal 1/4 inch too. My blocks sometimes turn out a little smaller but if all of my seams are this way, I don't generally have an issue matching seams later.

That's because you are sewing for yourself and consistent. But, if you try to make a Quilt Block of the Month for someone else, you will have trouble with the size.

Thank you for asking this question. I've always wondered too!

Something I have a REAL problem doing when I am quilting!!

I never bother with "scant", even when it says to....and never had any problems.

So basically what most of you are saying is keep it consistant unless you are collaborating with someone else? Does this work out even when working on a pattern with points, flying geese etc.? I would love to just use a standard 1/4" as I have a machine that has a default setting and I am forever forgetting to re-adjust when I resume sewing. So many "senior moments", so many seams to rip!

I like the answer from the member who said that she doesn't participate in swaps where a scant 1/4" is required. Smart approach.

Unfortunately, not every block is marked as such and sometimes you don't realize that you can't get to the right size unless you change it up. That's when some people (and yes, I have seen some too) just use their own measurement. Sometimes they can be salvaged, but sometimes those blocks are just a major waste of someone's time.

I love my quarter inch foot. I wouldn't enjoy piecing near as much without it.

A 1/4" seam is the bane of my exsistance.

You are not dumb. We are all works in progress to one degree or another.

In my opinion...a "scant" quarter inch isn't something you can consistantly find on your machine....there isn't a stitch plate that has "scant quarter inch on it"

Your either swinging your needle or your fabric position etc. And if your off on where your fabric is lined up or your needle has an issue you have no idea where your seam should be.....and how do you measure a thread or 2....what if I used Coats & Clark on one and Aurifil on the next quilt...do I have to re-measure?

I'm of the opinion, that if you measure it right, cut it accurately, then your quilt will go together correctly.

Coming from a IT background I know there are several ways to get to something on your computer. However in the end your still calling up the same basic command in the background when you launch "Internet Explorer" for instance. It's a consistant thing.

So for me and ONLY me and ONLY my opinion. A scant quareter inch isn't something that you can always find on a machine.

But having said all of that...my quilts are to snuggle up with and be loved...none of them are something I would enter into a contest, etc. So 100% accuracy isn't something I'm going to lose any sleep over. :)

P.S. Did I mention this is all MY opinion...cause I know this is an ongoing debate for a lot of people. And I can agree to disagree on this one. :)

I don't understand why when they made the 1/4" foot they didn't just allow for the thread width. It does make a difference.

The person who writes the directions is trying to cover all bases. Part of the problem is the fabric itself. It's not so obvious with quilting cotton but if you go to other fabrics it's easier to understand.

Compare silk to canvas. OK extreme examples. Imagine sewing three strips of silk together, press to one side. Now imagine doing it with canvas. Measure the width of both. The silk will be wider than the canvas because it doesn't lose as much to the rollover in the fold.

I agree. But if so many patterns ask for a scant 1/4" you would think someone would design a foot for it.

They did, I have one for my Featherweight. It is called a "scant 1/4" foot". Actually, the foot will fit all low shank machines.

Exactly!! That's why a scant quarter inch seam will differ from person to person, even project to project. The best thing is to do a quick test with the machine, thread and fabric you will be using for your project. If you need a tute on how to test, I did a post a while back on this subject:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm

They did, I have one for my low shank machine. The cost is $6.95. They also have them for slant shanks, too.

AMEN to that one. I too try to get the 1/4 inch and if I do, I feel pretty good about it.

Sibyl

One or two threads dont seem like much, but I just finished a Gods eye block that ask for a scant 1/4 seam I sewed a 1/4 seam and was short(not a 12'' block) but the block had over 60 pieces so the seam differences made a difference in size.I would think if one used the same pattern through out a quilt and same seam it would be ok.I was doing a sampler and didnt have a great out come.

Don't ask me, i have a piece of tape on where it says and i'm doing a BOM and so far i have done three blocks and none of them are the size their suposed to be.