Hi Everyone
So glad to have found this forum. I have done many small, lap size quilts but all are quick and simple (not a lot of patience with little kids around). I'm attempting to try some new things and slow down a bit. I'm doing a 55x65 size throw quilt and will start quilting later today. I've used several different Moda fabrics (charm packs - simple) with hues of pinks/reds. Want to meander quilt it (will be my third time meander quilting). My ??: since I've not done a lot of this type of quilting, wondering if I should try to use a lighter thread (like pale pink) or go for it :) and use red. Many of the squares have red and a few are solid red but most have lighter backgrounds. And finally a very basic ?? I've been meaning to ask quilting experts forever.... no matter how much I think I'm using a perfect 1/4" seam, my squares sometimes dont line up. Is this something that takes practice or am I just NOT doing a good job on the 1/4" seam thing? I'm a lousy rotary cutter so have been thrilled of late with some of the pre-cut pieces you can buy (like Moda charm packs, jelly rolls etc). Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Leigh

For the 1/4" seam, I find using a starter scrap, helps me maintain a more accurate seam line from start to finish...as well as chain piecing. I found that I was being inaccurate at the beginning/ending, I tended to sew smaller seams in these areas. Here is a tute explaining this

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-38684-1.htm

I like to use varigated threads for quilting, it is much more forgiving for me than solids.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!
As far as the quilting threads, I am into variegated threads. I think they blend into all kinds of colors and shades and can give an interesting look when it contrasts with a certain color in a block. If you like the red, go for it!!!
Just be careful with the 1/4 in seams, sometime it needs to be a "scant" 1/4", basically a thread or two short of the 1/4". Also when you are cutting make sure your ruler does not slide one you. use some sandpaper dots or something that will keep the ruler from slipping when you cut. As you get more and more quilting in, these things will come easier. You will get to know where exactly to cut and where your best seam size it. I am no expert, and I still have blocks that don't line up perfectly, but that's "ok"!!

Hello and Welcome from Northern Indiana !

Can't help with the 1/4"inch as I still am having problems with it :oops: Everyone has told me it takes LOTS of practice . Also maybe try marking it on your machine bed .

Welcome to the board. Do you have some scraps left of your quilt? If so, audition different threads and see which one you like best. Just sew like you are quilting a with several different threads and go with the best for what you want your quilt to say. Sometimes we want them to whisper "I'm beautiful" and other times we want them to shout "HEY LOOK AT ME, I'M FABULOUS"
As far as your corners being perfect, no one gets them right all the time. (if someone says they do, stay away from them because they'll lie about other things too) LOL Just work on your cutting and it will get better.

Welcome!

I'm still working on that perfect quarter inch seam so I'm no help there. I love variegated thread for quilting. It can highlight the quilting yet be very forgiving.

Hi Leigh, and welcome!

For lining up the blocks, I've been using a tailer's awl to hold the seams perfectly lined up as they're being fed into the machine ... a bamboo skewer works too. It's like having another finger (that won't get sewn).

Sewing the perfect 1/4" seam is the most common sewing problem I have seen in all my years of quilting, teaching and being around other quilters. For years, I wasn't careful and I would ease and stretch to match up my seams. I have finally mastered that darn 1/4" and my quilts go together so much better now, I wonder why I didn't work harder at it years ago! Take three short 2" strips and sew them together using what you think is a 1/4" seam. Then press seams to one side and measure the center strip. If the center strip measures a perfect 1 1/2" then you have a perfect 1/4" seam. If not, adjust your 1/4" seam. When you have it perfect, mark it! I used a blue marker and then used painters tape, cutting a section out through several layers of the tape. I place the tape along the line that I marked on my sewing machine, to guide my fabric through. The only other thing you need to be aware of is to be very careful of your beginning and ending. It's easy to let go of your fabric before it is all the way through the foot and the seam will veer off, making the end either wider or narrower than 1/4" . Once you get this accurate, your blocks will go together so much easier and your seams will always line up perfectly! And be very careful to cut accurately!

My daddy always said I was born with a crooked eye, and my son agrees because I cannot hang a picture straight. There are a couple different ways to get your 1/4 inch seam. You can buy a special 1/4 seam foot with a guide to help you when you sew your fabrics (this is what I have). You can get a ruler and measure a 1/4 inch seam from you needle and place a piece of tape on your plate of your sewing machine so you can align you fabric.

As far as cutting practice and go slow. Walk you hand up the ruler carefully to give you more control when you cut your strips. If you move the ruler, you can sliver trim and try again.