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.

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!!

I just found this link for beginner quilters

http://www.ideas-for-quilting.com/index.html

1/4 " seam was the hardest for me to master and I am still working on it. Practice Practice. you will know when you got it right when you see your quilts go together easy. Glenn

To keep my 1/4" seams accurate, I use moleskin. This is purchased in the foot section of the drugstore, Target, Walmart, etc. The following method will work only if you can position your needle so that less than 1/4" of the feeddogs are exposed to the right of the needle. (On my Bernina 1230, I have to move the needle one position to the right to achieve this.)

First step is to cut strips of moleskin using a ruler and rotary cutter.

Next, I place my favorite ruler under the raised presser foot of my sewing machine and lower the needle so that it touches the 1/4" mark from the edge of the ruler. Actually, I put the needle a little to the right of the 1/4" mark so the ruler's edge is a scant 1/4" to the right of the needle.

I make sure that the ruler is aligned straight front-to-back, and then lower the presser foot to keep the ruler positioned correctly.

I remove the backing from one of the strips of moleskin and carefully position it so that one side of the moleskin is aligned with the edge of the ruler. I allow the moleskin to extend as far as possible both behind and in front of the needle.

When I sew, I just make sure that the right edges of the fabric are butted up against the moleskin. This allows me to sew accurately even if I am sewing very fast. Before finding this method, I tried a 1/4" presser foot, marking the bed of the machine, using a magnetic guide, etc. but this is by far the method that is the most accurate for me. Some people cut a thick strip out of a roll of painter's tape to achieve the same type of sewing guide, but I have always used the moleskin -- extra-thick if I can find it.

For those who may be wondering, moleskin is an adhesive cushioning material that is used on feet to protect them from shoe blisters.

HTH!

I love the variegated threads the best.

While good quarter inch seams are always desired (in order to have good star points, etc) I think that being consistent in all seams is even better..if your seam is more like three eighths of an inch than a quarter, but it's consistent throughout the project, crossing seams should still line up correctly...again, this philosophy will not work with patterns that have points in it, since cutting instructions are designed for that "perfect" quarter inch...having a quarter inch foot helps me be accurate AND consistent.

and I support the variegated thread suggestions.

How about a blendable thread in the reds and pinks shades?

How about a blendable thread in the reds and pinks shades?

If your machine has a 1/4" foot it's worth buying.
My Jenomes have a metal ridge on the right side of the foot which makes keeping sewing at 1/4" easy.
I have a 1/4" Bernina foot (no ridge) so I pay strict attention to the fabric lining up exactly with the foot's right edge.
I mainly use Bottom Line to quilt, unless I want the quilting to show then I use Superior Threads verigated thread, or Masterpiece cotton when I want the look of one color
http://superiorthreads.com

Two things you asked about, first of all, you could use a clear thread like a filament type and that way your stitches would be practically invisible. You would relax more while quilting and gain confidence so that you could go on to color thread in the future.
Second, you need to look up about the "scant 1/4 inch". Basically you measure your quarter inch and then take off of that by 2 threads to get the scant 1/4. You will be surprised how much of a difference it can make. A lovely friend of mine in GA taught me that and her quilts are out of this world beautiful!

Welcome from Arizona!

Hi and welcome to quilting! Just a warning: It's addictive as all getout!
First, don't assume that precut squares are all perfect...I've found that some aren't.
Second, are you addressing your needle straight on? If your fabric is going toward your needle at an angle, it may not come out with a perfect 1/4" seam.
Third, are you maintaining a steady seam allowance or does it waver? Oftentimes as you start and stop a seam it could waver, so the use of a "sewing bunny" could be helpful. Just sew right onto a scrap of fabric [mine are 1" x 3"] at the end of each block, just like you would when chain piecing. Saves a lot of thread too.
Fourth, you might find that sticking a piece of masking tape onto your bed at perfect right angles to your needle and at a perfect 1/4" from the needle could help

Why don't you consider a varigated pink thread since there are so many shades and values in the quilt.
Rotary Cutting. Learn to cut accurately. You will be glad you did and it will take a lot of frustration out of it. Watch some of the internet tutorials or if you are close to a shop that teaches, ask if they have a class in rotary cutting.
1/4" seam. this is another absolute in quilting. If you want the pieces to fit together they will be cut and sewed accurately. Get one of the 1/4" feet for your machine if you don't have one or measure and put some tape on the base of the machine to guide you. And watch your starts and stops. Make sure you start at the accurate 1/4 seam allowance and end. Sometimes we tend to stop watching the guide and the needle goes off before getting to the end of the seam.
There are not a lot of MUSTS in quiltmaking but the three that are: Accurate marking or alignment of the ruler, accurate cutting and accurate piecing. All the rest is what you the quiltmaker bring to the craft/art.

I bought a presser foot that has the nub on the foot that makes 1/4 in seams. I really like it.

I'm fairly new to the FMQ, so until I get better, I like thread that blends more with the fabric rather than lots of contrast. Variegated threads come in so many colors. When there are 2 choices similar, I generally opt for the lighter and have been happy with my selections. My favorite is Wonderfil Tutti 50 wt cotton. The only place I've found it is my LQS. It seems expensive at first, it's 1000 meters for about $10, but I've done a few quilts with the same cone and have 1/3 left. It goes a long way.

My 1/4" is much better on my new machine. It has a 1/4" setting and I can also adjust a little at a time. I had one of those 1/4" feet with the fabric guide on the side. My seams were usually off. I think the guide must have bent. If you aren't off too much, match the seams and pin and gently stretch while you so. I think it works best if the larger section is on the bottom.

Your size problem may be related to cutting, or sewing, or pressing and possibly a combination. One of the quilting gurus (can't remember who now) gives a very detailed account of creating the perfect block.

1. Measure each piece before sewing to make sure it is correct.
2. Sew, carefully press and measure the sewed piece to see if it is the dimension it needs to be. If it is not, then check where you go off. (Is the seam to wide or is the pressing wonky?)

As for the thread: I like the variegated threads as well.

Welcome from Missouri!

Lots of good advice here - obviously there are a lot of ways to get your consistent seam allowance. Try several until you find the one you are most comfortable with. :-)

The scant 1/4" allows for the size you lose when you turn and press your seam. Doesn't have major impact on larger pieces/fewer blocks - but....on smaller pieces/more blocks the difference is compounded.

Now for the cutting - when I was experienced enough to be really frustrated by my blocks not being right, I realized it was my cutting. My ruler slipped or I didn't measure right, or something.

Here's what worked for me: cutting at the right height (cutting table/kitchen counter) - much less strain and more accurate cuts; good lighting! even in daylight I use a lamp over my cutting table; after I have cut, I turn the strip around and see if I need to sliver cut. Those slivers really add up.

Have fun!

here are a few things that i found to help me i just bought a 1/4 seam foot it has a guide bar on the side of it and makes perfect 1/4 in seams, second i use heavy starch when ironing my material , it seems to make it less flimsy to me , and also easier to cut, also when you are pressing your seams make sure you are pressing them the right way and not stetching the material while you are pressing it by using a back and forth ironong method

Hi leigha, and welcome from Oregon, I am a terrable cutter to. all though my adopted quilt mommy, sparky has given me good advice on cutting, and I did much better this last time. but I have learned both cutting and 1/4 seam, will make all the difference in the world of quilting. I am new to quilting. Penny

Regarding 1/4" seam.....it may not be you - what machine do you have? The only machines that have totally accurate 1/4" seams are Pfaff nd Husqvarna because they are SCANT 1/4" seams.....I have made over 200 quilts and god knows how many other items and used to teach. I cannot make pieces macth on my mothers Janome in particular..but the other brands like brother, elna etc seem to be just as bad!
Sorry to anyone out there that sells them..just my opinion of course!
My suggestion..make sure your foot is sewing a SCANT 1/4" and bend the little guard till it is if you have to!

I purchased a 1/4" seam foot for my machine and it works wonderfully. I have not tried the varigated threads yet. They are so interesting and I will in the future, I found that some here like King Tut brand and the sight offers great pricing.