There's a great 1/4" foot for the Janome that will give you a 1/4" seam, although you should of course test it on your machine. It's the Clearview Quilting foot and guide set and you can order it here: http://brubakerssewing.com/store/ind...guide-set.html or of course get it from your local dealer. Brubaker's is an awesome shop and ships right away and has good prices.

The reason I like this foot is that it is see through and the flange for the 1/4" is removable. If you use the foot without it you line up on the edge for 1/4" seam, and it also has a marking for 1/8" seam. It also includes a stitch in the ditch flange. I no longer have a 6600 (I have a 7700) but I use this foot all the time on my Janome class machine and I love it.

Another option is to use the 1/4" Accufeed foot. You will have to move the needle over considerably. I used to set mine at 5.5, but I know others with the 6600 who had to set it closer to 6.0. You may find it easier to sew with Accufeed and if that's the case then you can measure where your needle should be set and set that as your default setting when you turn the machine on.

There is a wonderful Yahoo group for owners of the 6500/6600/7700 series of machines; very helpful on these types of issues!

Gigi,
I went to the Janome website & they had the answer there & it works BUT it seems more complicated than just doing the 3 strips as bearisgray explained.

Unfortunately, the magic 'scan't 1/4 will vary with the thickness of the fabric and thread you are using, so the manufacturers can't do it for us. If you usually piece with 60 weight thread on quilting cotton then do a project with flannel and 40 weight thread, you will have to move your needle a bit to get the correct seam allowance with the new stuff. I try and remember to do a quick check when I change fabric types.

I had the 6500 and now have the 7700. To get a scant 1/4" seam, I take a lined 3x5 note card. The lines are 1/4" apart. I put the flange of the quilting foot on the line so the left side of the flange is on the left side of a line. Then I move the needle to the right until it is just on the right side of the line immediately to the left of the one the flange is resting on. Once this is set, then I sew the 3-strip test using scraps of the same fabric that I will be using. If it is off, I make adjustments. When it is adjusted the way I need it, I push the needle through the 3x5 card and mark the line that I had the flange on. Doing this, I can move between machines and still get the same seam.

That was my thought. 1/2" is a lot off for one block. I could see it if it was a cumulative amount over many blocks but not just one... I'd check the initial cut size of my pieces.

What an excellent idea, why doesn't someone make the "scant" 1/4 " foot. I finally cut my block pieces a little larger :)

Iron your seams open and see if that makes a difference. It does for me.

How do you determine what exactly a "Scant" 1/4" seam is? I don't think we all have the same one! Kinda like cooking when you need a pinch of salt, my pinch and your probably won't be the same.

Not always a correct statement. On my Janome the needle only moves in one direction...the WRONG one. I had to resort to using tape on the bed of my machine. Sadly that 1/4" foot cost me over $30!