How to measure 1/4" seam???
 

Do I measure including the thread? Or do I measure from the side of the thread to the edge of the fabric?

I'm thinking based on how my blocks are coming out...it's the former.

I used an Omingrid ruler and line it up with the needle hitting the middle of the line. Then I place blue painter's tape along the edge. There are various ways of getting an accurate 1/4". You just have to find out which method works best for you.

Thanks but does the 1/4" include the thread? I'm not sure where to begin measuring.

I had no idea it could be this complicated! I guess, based on how my blocks are coming out (smaller than they should) that I should be including the thread in this case. What do you folks do, make a small test piece with the thread you will be using and see if the end result is the correct size?

The size of the finished piece is what matters, not necessarily the size of the seam allowance. It's just that if you cut accurately and sew with a scant 1/4", the finished piece SHOULD be the right size. Instead of trying to measure the seam, try sewing together 3 fairly short strips that are 2.5" wide. Now measure. The center strip should measure 2" (because 1/4" was taken away on each side) and the outer two pieces should each measure 2.25", for a total of 6.5". If the measurement is less, try sewing with a slightly smaller seam allowance; if more, then increase your seam allowance. If you change your thread you may have to repeat this process to find your perfect spot for sewing.

Here's a tutorial on how to check your 1/4" seam. That's how I check mine.
Yes, do a test piece with the same fabric and thread that you will use for your project.

http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/201...rfect-14-seam/

When I started quilting again after a 10 year break I spent over and a hour just sewing together short 2.5" strips and measuring the result until I was sure I had the 1/4" seam process back in memory. I'd just recommend several iterations of practicing sewing a set of short strips like was mentioned above. I like to sew 3 or 4 strips together. If using 4 short (6") strips that gives you 3 seams. If your 1/4" if off each seam increases the problem. So with 3 seams you can more easily tell if you have it right.

Totally agree with the suggestions. It's not the part to the right of the needle that is important. It is the size of your piece after you sew and measure.

I don't know if it's so much what your seam measures as what your finished block measures. The amount of seam allowance can vary depending on what thread you're using. That's why test blocks are important.

Thanks everyone. I've just spent some "quality time" with my seam ripper. I'll do some test runs before I sew on the actual fabric this time.

If you are piecing something that is supposed to end up with points, you probably want to sew a scant 1/4", to accommodate the width of your thread after pressing (i.e., the width of the thread would be included in the 1/4" measurement). Otherwise, it probably doesn't matter as long as you're consistent throughout the whole quilt.

Ok, got it!!! I did the test sample exactly as suggested ( the 3 - 2.5" pieces). I found the sweet spot on my machine. Then I sewed my actual fabric and it came out great. Thanks for all the advice. You guys are the best!

Yea! Congrats!

I'm sew glad I'm not the only one! LOL! I finally just call it close enough for me, I don't do any of those really intricate patterns anyway, in fact, don't ever use a pattern, just see something, and do it MY way. Not being sarcastic, as some will take it, but they say really to sew 3 strips (2 and 1/2) wide together, and it should measure 6 and 1/2.

glAd you got it,

There are things besides the seam allowances that affect the size of the finished unit.

We don't call you sarcastic, Just Frank Sinatra.

tim in san jose

Now just remember that if you change fabric (like using flannel) or a different thread weight (because it matches), you need to recheck & adjust if necessary. I got into the habit of doing a check at the beginning of each project. It only takes a minute.

Yes Princess, I will definitely test every time now. I've written down the specific measurements that I used for this test and I'll keep them in my quilting notebook for future reference.

What Dunster said.

Sew on an index card. From one line to the next, it's 1/4". Then you can tell whether you need to adjust. Hope this helps!

coopah, that is true, but no matter how much is on the "right" side of the needle, doesn't matter if the piece itself isn't the correct size. I know not everyone sews to such precision. I don't most of the time, especially with rail fence quilts, but, if it matters, the part that matters is the inside, not the outside. Am I clear as mud? Dunster said it upthread better than I can.

Just throwing it out here but, if the difference is the size of one thread, it should not be making that much difference in the outcome. Especially if all the blocks are coming out one thread smaller. If all the blocks are coming out the same size the pattern should work just one thread smaller. Does that even sound English?? In my head it made sense!! LOL. If you have a quilt, that is 10 blocks across, each block is one thread off (it's a given that different thread will be different thickness) that would equal 10 threads, approximately a quarter inch or so. Over the whole width of the quilt, 1/4" should not make that much difference.

Sometimes, we are sooooo concentrated on that one tree, we miss the whole beauty of the forest.

I found using Bonnie Hunter's seam guide to mark my 1/4" works very well. She has them for sale on her blog.

What works for someone does not always work for others I've found out. Some cottons are thinner than others so when you fold a seam to one side, it takes up less room than heavier cottons. My machine's foot has a little looseness so that can make a seam off too. While any little thing doesn't matter much, a lot of little things can really get your measurements off. I think you have to figure out what it takes to stitch a 1/4" seam on your machine, using your rulers, and your markers.

I'm a new quilter and I'm not making anything fancy - just a Warm Wishes. I sewed my first block (before this thread started) and when I pressed it, it was somewhere between 5 1/2 and 5 3/4 inches instead of 6 inches. I was supposed to cut my large fabric pieces 6" square and I almost said "the heck with it". Meaning I'd figure out the average size that I was under and cut all my large fabric pieces that size instead. But then I thought that I am obviously doing something wrong and I should try and figure out what it is.

When it's a different type of quilt, I agree that the small size difference isn't that significant. In fact, probably most of my previous quilts were off a bit. But this time I actually noticed it and decided to figure out what I was doing wrong.

The one thread difference would be in EACH SIDE of EACH PIECE of the block. So if you have a patchwork block with many pieces in it, the shortage would be one thread multiplied by however many seams are in the block. Then multiply THAT shortage by how many blocks you have. The shortage in inches can add up quickly.

Cari