Dont give up...i know it is frustrating. if there is a local quilt shop in your area, maybe you could bring your machine in,and ask for help? i am sure it is just a matter of moving your needle either to the left or right a few clicks. (even if you have the 1/4" foot..it doesn't mean you have a 1/4" seam.)
i so wish i could just gather us all together and help you...i was lucky,when i bought my machine, it came with free lessons, and i took a beginners class at joanns..learned how to press,cut,read a pattern and find my 1/4" for MY machine. so i missed some of the frustrating issues that come with being a beginner...

I know how you feel. I spent two years making blocks for a quilt and had the same problem with them fitting. I fudged the seam allowances and added some fake sashing (same color as background) and was able to get the quilt together. Since then, I purchased a 1/4 inch foot for all my machines and a seam gauge to test as I sew. Even with all that, I still have blocks that sometimes don't work correctly. Good luck on your quilt.

[QUOTE=NellLaCaze;4617510]
The reason your needle comes unthreaded is because when you take your material out from under the needle, you pull it forward toward you instead of from the back, that makes a longer thread for the take up when starting a new piece,
at least this is what I found was my problem. Good luck.

[QUOTE=tuesy;4617497]I have a 1/4" foot and mine would still be off... figured it wasn't the machine or the foot's problem, it was me.."gasp"! LOL I sew like I drive.. fast and furious and get there like yesterday... I just had to slow down a bit, but honestly I do feel myself having that "need for speed"[/QUOTE

my problem exactly! sigh, at 56 I doubt Ill outgrow it. . .

I am having the same problem. With a quilt I am working on now. Not fun!

Is the problem that you can't do the quarter inch or are the seams all different widths? The seams don't have to be a quarter of an inch as long as you keep them consistently the same size. So if you can get a good seam with a wider foot , I wouldn't sweat about it. Hope things get better when you get back to it.(Says she who is ripping out the quilting on her latest!)

Wow! That's happened to me to. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Like you I also have a wonderful healthy family. So I try again, and again. And then it happened I GOT IT ALL TO FIT PERFECTLY. Yeah I did it!! LOL And so I continue to sew my beautiful quilts...Have a nice day.....

Sewing a quarter inch is VERY tricky! :)

I was told by an experienced quilter, who had a grin on her face, that the final process of putting our blocks together can be called 'material manipulation'.

I use the 1/4" foot and these sewing edges. They're great and only about $5. http://shop.online-quilting.com/shop...&category_id=2 I don't depend on anything other than a ruler when I place these. Just measure 1/4" out from your needle and then lay down the strip. They're reusable and if they begin to slide around and not stay in place just clean them off with alcohol. Even with both of these I still have to "fudge" sometimes but that's all part of it. I sure do feel your pain.

Mary Ellen Hopkins in her book "The It's Okay if You Sit on My Quilt Book" suggests making a test square of three strips to determine one's "PPM" - Personal Private Measurement - to see how one's cutting, sewing, and pressing techniques match up to the "expected size" versus "actual size"

The three strips can be anything that will end up creating a square - I think 2.5 x 6.5 is a good size to use - big enough to bother with, and small enough to not use much fabric. If one does enough of them, one could use them for sort of a rail fence scrappy quilt! (If they ended up being multi-sized, trim to the smallest one)

If two people were attempting to do the "same" thing - the two squares may or may not end up the same size.

Variations could occur at various steps in the process. Won't even go into the wash or not wash bit right here - my personal preference and experience is in favor of washing fabrics before cutting.

1) size of original pieces -
2) width of seams
3) how one presses/irons the piece

Even small variations have cumulative effects - and the more pieces and seams involved,the more opportunities for variations.

Actually, a log cabin block could be a nightmare for a beginner! Or a terrific learning opportunity! Depending on your viewpoint and sadomasochitic proclivities!.

Accuracy starts with the first seam you sew on a block and continues thru all units. Measure after each unit is complete and make necessary corrections. Don't wait until the block is complete and wonder if they will fit.

It actually starts with how the pieces are cut. And then checking and correcting as one goes DOES make the whole process go ever so much better (and end up closer to the expected size!)

Squaring Up Quilt Blocks - Learn How to Fix Problem Quilt Blocks
 

Before you rip everything out go to this and see if it might work.


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How to Square Up Quilt Blocks
Squaring Up Quilt Blocks - Learn How to Fix Problem Quilt Blocks

When I first started quilting I, too, had the same problem. Then a friend told me about an "unusual" solution. Measure out from your needle 1/4" then put a "cut" strip (about 1/2" wide) of Dr. Scholl's foot inserts on plate. These inserts have a sticky side and when cut and placed they are just the right height for you to be able to butt your fabric against and get a uniform 1/4". (I have been using the same piece for years and probably time to replace....lol).

It isn't always the dreaded 1/4" seam that causes a problem. It could be a ruler problem. All rulers are not made equal and one brand may be just a hair off from another brand and when that is all added up it causes a difference that can change the size of things. I try my best to use all the same brand rulers for projects.

mltquilt

Don't shoot me, but if you feel that you have to rip out all the seams-isn't that handwork? LOl I know, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. And I haven 't read all the posts so if someone else already said it, please forgive me. But if you piece the whole thing with the same seam allowance, won't it still come together correctly? If there are points-maybe not. But unless someone is perfect, we have all been there.

The 1/4 inch foot with the guide is the best and they are not that much money, depending on the machine you have. Then you do like one of the ladies said must to slow down. Take your time until you get used to the new foot and you should be fine.

Please don't give up. We've all had these days at one time or another. They're all part of the learning process. Good luck and you'll get through.

You are so right!

I attended a Marti Michell workshop and she said that the first thing she does when she sits down to quilt is take 3 six and one half inch by 1 1/2 inch strips and sew them together. If the middle strip is 1 inch the seam allowance is correct. She maintains that there are many things that affect the width of the seam besides the machine setting. How are you feeling that day, are your glasses dirty, is you leg hurting so you're not sitting in front of the machine the same as the last time you sewed....and you can add to the list. My instructor at my current BOM did that and it took her about 5 adjustments to get the middle strip to one inch. Those little blocks become the start of a fun little charity quilt while your quilts all have better points and matching seams.

I have the 1/4" foot and still have problems, so your not alone.
Tomorrow will be a better day. Good Luck.
Your quilt will be fine.

This happens to all of us occasionally, no matter how carefully you sew.

Even with a 1/4 inch foot - you will still need to "verify" that you are ending up with what you want. There can be variations from machine to machine.

I use my 1/4" all the time but do have to warch I keep the fabric up to the black ridge--easy to not keep it snug.

If all your blocks are 12 inches, you just put them together as usual. If your blocks are different sizes, you might make them all the smallest size.

QUOTE=LLWinston44;4617725]I canNOT do a 1/4" seam without my foot with a guide on it. Even then sometimes I slip up. If all your blocks are the same size, can't they still be used?[/QUOTE]

For jelly roll strips, I read somewhere that if you use a guide on the left side and put it to 2 1/4" away from your needle your strips will be right every time, because different batches can come in slightly different widths. It only takes a thread or two difference to mess you up.

This sounds like a terrific and easy way of getting everything perfect. Great tip, thank you.

I feel your pain also because this happens to me all the time! Sometimes I rip out. If I see things are off, I use a scant 1/4 on some seams. Sometimes I just fudge. Sometimes I change the whole concept of the pattern to make it "fit" what I have.
I do have a 1/4 inch foot, but it is not correct or I don't sew it correctly or I don't see it correctly. Whatever, I did the measuring from the needle and putting down tape also. That helps as long as the material is CUT correctly, which is another problem for me for whatever reason.
Just do your best. That's all we can do.

I also use a 1/4" foot with a guide, but found that it was still a little generous. On my machine, I can bump the needle over to the right just enough that it won't hit the foot (it's a single hole foot), but will still give me the scant 1/4" seam that I need. This really comes into play when you have several people making blocks....sometimes there's 1/2" difference in the size of a 12" block! It's always good to check the final measurement of your blocks to see if they are finishing as they should.

I started having eye problems a few years ago so I decided that the one thing that hurts my eyes the most is ripping out a seam. I've learned to be less of a perfectionist and really enjoy quilt making more now than I did when I was trying to make everything perfect. My family likes my quilts so I'll be happy just making the quilts even if the seams don't match. :-)

Sometimes you can 'fudge' on joining blocks and they will be fine. If there is a little excess fabric, sew slowly with the bubble next to the feed dogs and this will take care of it. If you end up with a gathered spot, when you quilt go right through it and it will be hidden. It happens to all (most) of us every once in awhile. Hope this helps![/QUOTE]

This is my salvation. We are not working with wood, so there is always a little stretch to use to our advantage. Chin up :-)

I have a 1/4 inch foot for all my machines which has been a big help. Sometimes we just need to rant a bit and then get back to quilting!

Is your machine portable? if it not in a table, try using a wedge,like a door stop or wood wedge, and put it under the back of the machine so the machine is tilted towards you..sit up straight, and you will be able to see the bed of the machine easier..and watch the guide easier. I also used to use "white out" to paint the black bar so i could see it better..the lighting on most machines is not the greatest..let us know how you are doing...!

I understand your frustration!! I have sewn for many years and this Quarter inch still at times gives me fits. One of the comments here about fudging a bit may be your salvation. good luck and I really like your last statement about the gifts that you have been given.

I am getting ready to take a curved piecing class at my LQS and one of the requirements is a 1/4" foot without a guide. I found one but my Janome foot with the guide is partly responsible for some of my major successes. I figure my curves will be ovals but at least I am learning a new technique.

Here is a link to the freezer paper instructions from About.com:
quilting.about.com/od/quiltingcommunity/a/swap_blocks.htm?nl=1

I use my quarter inch foot also, but things are not always as they should be in my blocks. I accept the responsibility for this. :D But hey, that's OK. I have a small bamboo skewer that I use to ease in a little extra fullness when I need to and it rarely shows. Just use the pointy tip to push that extra bit a little at a time under the foot and it's fine when I'm finished with the seam.

I can only do a consistent quarter inch using a guide. I use foam tape I found in the hardware section at Walmart.

I did the same thing as Carslo.....purchased a 1/4 " foot for my machine......that did the trick!!