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This is pretty much my position, too, Sewmary. I don't use patterns so I agree it could make a difference in that case. But being consistent seam to seam is what matters most, I think, and what I try to do, whether it's a true 1/4 or scant 1/4.
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I think that the 1/4 inch seam really begins with the cutting.Always try to use the same rulers. One of the tricks that I like to use is to cut my fabric a little on the heavier side.I lay my fabric out[not too many layers]; then place my ruler on the fabric, the cutting line will be all the way to the edge of the fabric.It seems like the scant 1/4 inch is no longer something that I need to worry about. It was already taken care of in the cutting. Then each time that I cut; I'm using the same method over and over. My blocks come out quite nicely. It is my most favorite parts[ cutting and block making] of the quilt making process. Sure hope this also helps.
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Oh Sew mary! I concur! I do what I want. I use a 1/4" foot and let the slips fall where they may. I think "scant" is just obnoxious. Trying to make something wonderful, creative, and restful into something stressful, tedious, and demanding.
Scant , Schmant! Just be as consistent as you can be! It will turn out ok. I set challenges for myself, like trying a design I never tried or more intricate quilting or a new color combination because I love it, not to make a nuisance for myself. If I start on a quilt that irritates me, I leave it flat and return the pieces to the scrap heap. This is not the Quilting Olympics, but my hobby. (Climbing down off soapbox now!) |
Originally Posted by sewmary
(Post 5474107)
Bah! Any pattern that mentions a scant 1/4 is banished from my life. Since that measurement can't be defined it is worthless.
I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter. I can't imagine my grandmother sitting at her treadle worrying if she is sewing a scant 1/4" - or a precise 1/4" either and she produced some amazing quilts! This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress. Do your best to be consistant and you will happy with your work regardless of the size of seam. IMHO |
I have written a newspaper column about scant 1/4 inch seams, but its content was not flattering to the person who thought up this complication. In the first place, no one can define the term. In the second, even if someone invented a foot that guided a scant 1/4 inch seam, it wouldn't be long before someone thought the seam should be one thread wider or one thread narrower. Since different fabrics tend to have threads that are thicker or thinner as the case may be, the people who are concerned about this matter are chasing mirages. Freddie's first sentence is a winner/keeper and the rest of her explanation is the same. Don't make what should be relatively simple--sewing a 1/4 inch seam using a guide of some kind on your sewing machine--turn into a bloomin' nightmare. froggyintexas
Originally Posted by Freddie
(Post 5473535)
The 1/4 or scant 1/4 is not that important. Every machine and every person sews differently. When do sew the block, check the size of each component of that block after you stitch. Is it coming out the size they want it to be? example: If you stitch tree strips together and each one is cut 2 1/2 inches wide, check the center strip. Is it really 2 inches wide now? If it is larger, you need to increase the width of your seam allowance. If the center strip is smaller, you will have to narrow your seam allowance. The outside strips should measure 2 1/4 inch each. Then you could cut the three strip piece in 6 1/2 inch pieces, for a block to finish 6 inch. Hope you know what I am trying to say. It is easier to show someone. Good luck!
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This is the BEST answer!!
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Husq has a quarter inch foot but not the presser foot type. I ust finally FINALLY learned to "see the scant quarter inch'
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Originally Posted by Lori S
(Post 5475993)
I have two feet for my Viking that are 1/4 inch with the guide bar. One is a two 1/4 inch with a single needle hole. I can move the needle slightly to get the scant and still miss the foot through the single hole. The other is technically a edge stitching foot . It has the guide on the side , but a wider needle opening so I can move the needle to more positions . By far I use the edge foot more than any other foot I have. The edge foot does have a marking for the 1/4 inch so you don't have to figure it out each time.
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I use my 1/4" sewing foot. I usually end up making a quilt my way. Even if it starts out with a pattern.
As long as my blocks measure the same I am good with that. |
There always seems to be a bit of 'try it and see' when it comes to making quilts!
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Grammy,
Which Husqvarna do you have? Sharon W |
[Quote]
I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter.... and later......This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress. Well, I really am dumb. I was dumb enough to ask once before on a QB thread about why 1/4" exactly is so important. No one answered me. Is that because I simply should know? or no one really knows? Or, is it because I don't use patterns (I'm dyslexic and it takes me way too long to try to follow a pattern) so I study a quilt I like and do it with my own colors and my own twists. About 1/4 inch seems to work, so I use about 1/4 inch, but I can't see why 3/8 wouldn't be ok or even 1" if the person had trouble keeping to the very small 1/4". I realize the quilt might come out a bit larger or smaller than predicted if you don't use 1/4" but does that really make any difference. I've made a log cabin quilt with probably closer to 3/8" just because I was new to quilting and was nervous. I'm sure I cut the end off a few logs because it was too long, and probably cut the edges down on the last log because the square was too big (bigger than the first one which became my guide). Sooooo.....? What am I missing here? |
My teacher in the quilting class I took explained the 'probable' reason for the 1/4 inch or scant 1/4 inch seams in quilting. Clothing construction usually uses 5/8 seams but that is a lot of bulk when you begin joining many points and corners together. Also, since most quilts were hand quilted not so long ago, and cotton batting was used, the quilting lines had to be closer together to hold the batting in place. The scant 1/4 inch seam allowed for running a line of stitching just 1/4 inch from each pieced seam without having to stitch through all those extra layers. Since I am a hand quilter, that makes sense to me.
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Why 1/4" seam? Well, it has to be "something" uniform, so that blocks will fit together. A wider seam would end up being too big, for some of the smaller pieces. A narrower seam would compromise the construction. I wonder how long ago, the 1/4" seam started. I do know it wasn't used everywhere, as my grandmother's quilts had wider seams (never thought to measure them).
Any seam allowance will work, as long as you're consistent. I recently made a dog bed, using 1/2" seams (to make it more dog-resistant). Yes, it had points - it was a pinwheel star pattern. Yes, my points ended up exactly where they were supposed to be. :) |
I agree with sewmary, if you make all your seams the same it will turn out ok, and I am just a new quilter. :) sounds good to me, ,lol
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If you go back to my answer above, I said that the 1/4 or scant 1/4 in not important. You can stitch it at 1/2 or 1 inch if you like. However, you have to cut it, so that you end up with the size of block you are interested in. So, in other words, if you want 1 inch seams, cut your pieces accordingly. You can always draw the block out and then add 1 inch around each individual piece and you have it. However, don't try it with a purchased pattern, because the blocks are designed for a 1/4 ( or scant 1/4 or whatever the pattern suggest ). Remember that the quilt will become heavier, the larger the seamallowances are. Also more material, but again, you can do what you want, especially when you design your own blocks. It will be harder to make points with wider seamallowances too. The quilt will come out the same size, as long as you keep the same allowances all over. (Remember, you added the difference all around each piece, not only on the outside).
If you don't know what I mean, pm me and I will try to draw it out. No question is dumb, but sometimes it takes us a while to grasp what is asked. Easier to talk to someone face to face. [QUOTE=Sierra;5477670] I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter.... and later......This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress. Well, I really am dumb. I was dumb enough to ask once before on a QB thread about why 1/4" exactly is so important. No one answered me. Is that because I simply should know? or no one really knows? Or, is it because I don't use patterns (I'm dyslexic and it takes me way too long to try to follow a pattern) so I study a quilt I like and do it with my own colors and my own twists. About 1/4 inch seems to work, so I use about 1/4 inch, but I can't see why 3/8 wouldn't be ok or even 1" if the person had trouble keeping to the very small 1/4". I realize the quilt might come out a bit larger or smaller than predicted if you don't use 1/4" but does that really make any difference. I've made a log cabin quilt with probably closer to 3/8" just because I was new to quilting and was nervous. I'm sure I cut the end off a few logs because it was too long, and probably cut the edges down on the last log because the square was too big (bigger than the first one which became my guide). Sooooo.....? What am I missing here? |
when you sew with a true 1/4 in seam,the thickness of the fabric takes up a little space as it is turned.so if you sew a little less then a true 1/4 in your block will come out ok.ok is much easier then perfect.perfect really isn't possible with fabric.just do the best can and move on.
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I agree with sewmary! So, why do I get so stressed when trying to pick out fabric???!!!!
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Originally Posted by ggcoach03
(Post 5478927)
I agree with sewmary! So, why do I get so stressed when trying to pick out fabric???!!!!
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Amen. If it gets that technical, then I lose interest.
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Originally Posted by sewmary
(Post 5474107)
Bah! Any pattern that mentions a scant 1/4 is banished from my life. Since that measurement can't be defined it is worthless.
I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter. I can't imagine my grandmother sitting at her treadle worrying if she is sewing a scant 1/4" - or a precise 1/4" either and she produced some amazing quilts! This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress. |
The 1/4" foot for your Viking is an attachment foot to the walking foot. Yes the $$'s add up but you can get both from your Viking/Husqvarna dealer. I have both. I ordered both when my husband bought me my new machine. I had had my old one for over 30 years and it does still work. But now have one with all the bells and whistle ( which I don't know how to use all but I have them for whenever. :) Hope this helps.
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Scant 1/4" I let the edge be just inside the 1/4" line whereas a full 1/4" I keep the edge right on line for 1/4th". Now does that make sense???
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Well, another thing that comes into play is the size of the thread. Connecting Threads piecing thread is quite substantial and Superior Threads "So Fine" is thin, yet they are both considered #50 piecing thread. So when you press the seam, the larger thread will take up more space in the seam than the thinner thread, and this will affect how large of seam -1/4" or scant 1/4" - you need to make.
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Until recently, all of my piecing was done with C&C thread and 1/4" seams. Different weights of fabrics. No problems (other than human carelessness) with blocks matching (and being the right size) or points being where they should be. Consistency & proper cutting and pressing, is what really matters.
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Just to clarify, I do use very close to 1/4 inch because that is the width of the foot I use for piecing. There have been several threads about being sure to use 1/4 inch over the years and I couldn't figure out why. Was I going to run into trouble because my 1/4" isn't really 1/4"? I really wanted an answer. But it seems if I don't mind if my double bed quilt is a couple of inches wider or narrower, then it's cool. It's OK. Thanx!
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I do not believe you will be able to find a presser foot for a scant 1/4" seam. I have placed a mark next to my 1/4" that which I believe will make it a "scant" quarter inch.
However I am leary of using a scant 1/4" on quilts that will be used - on wall hanging - no problem. |
Your Viking dealer has the 1/4 quilting foot. Doubt they have a scant measure foot tho.
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scant 1/4 seam
Originally Posted by grammy1231
(Post 5473498)
What is the difference between a 1/4" inch and a scant 1/4" seam? And where would I get such a presser foot for my husqvarna?
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I agree with vschieve... that is exactly what I do... Relax and don't worry .. just have fun!
[h=1][/h] |
Originally Posted by Neesie
(Post 5479123)
Until recently, all of my piecing was done with C&C thread and 1/4" seams. Different weights of fabrics. No problems (other than human carelessness) with blocks matching (and being the right size) or points being where they should be. Consistency & proper cutting and pressing, is what really matters.
I have some very old hand-pieced blocks - those seam allowances are less than 1/4 inch. Perhaps one reason for narrow seam allowances on those - I think fabric was an expensive commodity for many people - and people used the absolute minimum seam width that would not pull apart. Perhaps approximately 1/4 inch was around that width. |
Originally Posted by sewmary
(Post 5474107)
Bah! Any pattern that mentions a scant 1/4 is banished from my life. Since that measurement can't be defined it is worthless.
I also don't fret if I can't exactly meet the given dimensions of a pattern. For the most part (I said MOST not all) it just doesn't matter. I can't imagine my grandmother sitting at her treadle worrying if she is sewing a scant 1/4" - or a precise 1/4" either and she produced some amazing quilts! This is a hobby to be enjoyed, not to get tangled up in stuff that gives people stress. |
Yes! Yes! Yes! Wish I'd figured this out when I started. I don't really care if a quilt top is a little smaller than the pattern predicts -- that's what borders are for, in my opinion. Consistency is way more important.
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I usually draft my patterns on 1/4 inch graph paper. When you do this and have half square or quarter square triangles, the finished product hardly ever fits the beginning design. Sooo. I set my needle to a little less that 1/4 inch and that gives some room for trimming if necessary. If you have a design with 4 squares across and only lose 1/32 of an inch, that amounts ot 1/8 inch which isn't noticable, but if you lose 1/16 on each, that is 1/4 inch which will mean that things won't fit.
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