Quarter Inch Seam
 

I haven't made a whole lot of quilts, but I've made enough that I think I should have the whole quarter inch thing down, but apparently I don't. I have about 95% of the blocks done for a quilt and now realize that they aren't going to fit together just right. The prospect of so much ripping and resewing makes me sick. Why, oh why, can't my projects ever just fall into place? I feel like I try so hard to be accurate in my cutting and piecing and still I'm just not!! I so wanted to have these blocks done and then assemble them by hand piecing during our move. I have a month in between houses and now no hand work to tide me over...which will drive me crazy. I'm restless and dissatisfied if I don't have a hand project. I'm just so discouraged. On top of that, I just poured the last cup of coffee from the pot only to find it full of grounds. Poor, poor, pitiful me! Thanks for listening/reading my self-indulgent rant. Think I'll remember that I and my entire family are in good health, my hubby has a job and I don't even have to pack for this move, then kick myself in the butt and work on something else for awhile.

Oh yes, I feel your pain. Sometimes things just go in the dumper!! And you are right - your family is healthy... So things are ok.

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!

Sorry you're having a bad day. The quarter inch thing is not an easy one to master. I found that the only way I could get consistancy of ANY kind was to measure the quarter inch from the needle to the correct spot on the plate, put down a barrier guide and do this on each of my machines. Still struggle with it at times, but it's better than it was.

I bought a 1/4 inch foot for all of my machines - that has helped so much! They weren't expensive and I have found that my quilts come together so much easier. *** Also if you quilt block has many seams use a scant 1/4 inch a few threads smaller seam. When there is a lot of seams the fabric pulls tighter together and you nees to be stingy with your seams. I hope tha makes sense.
Happy sewing adventures!

Sometimes, the things I think I know are the ones that I really have to work on --yes, my 1/4" seam. As Theresa said, maybe you can "fudge" and that is a learning process, too. Good learning experience? I am sure it will turn out.

Sorry about your blocks. Been there. Not a fun place to be. But, yes, time to focus on blessings! Praying that your move goes smoothly. :-)

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=carslo;4617397]I bought a 1/4 inch foot for all of my machines - that has helped so much! They weren't expensive]
First- I brought a 1/4 foot for my machine and it was just a foot not shank and foot and had to pay $23.68 with tax. So where did you find one cheaper at.
Second- Was wondering why every I go to sew my needle keeps coming unthreaded. I leave a long enuff thread but it still comes untreaded.

Well I have the 1/4 inch foot with the quide and still sometimes I find things aren't fitting together. I think if I agonize over it, the fun of doing the quilt in the first place is gone. Who but you will really know when things are a little off? Most people have no idea that it's not just perfect and wouldn't care if they knew. The warmth and love you put into it is the important part. Relax and have fun! This isn't suppose to drive you crazy.

I paid $35 for my foot and it's plastic. Viking feet are expensive so I try to pick ones I know I'll really use.

Also make sure your cutting is consistant, whole secret is everything must be exact. I have made only about a hundred or more and am finally able to eyeball the quarter inch seam. A barrier is very helpful, watch how you put the pins. I still pin at intersections. Just keep going and you will get there.

I share the pain. I have not quilted long. Now I am working on a log cabin, my 1st. Doing it strips, square as I go. I noticed a couple blocks don't look exactly right, but, if I work with them. I am pretty sure they will work. I am being optimistic. Are yours that far off???? You could probably manuver them in a way to work for you. Don't give up the ship

i have same "issues". tried making a block last night for guild ..spose to be 12-1/2" once complete..of course mine was 12".

not sure where my other 1/2" went!!!!!!!!!! measured my seams & they are 1/4". I use a quarter inch foot.
Guess I will stick with contemporary quilts.! im getting so frustrated LOL

But at least you mastered how to get pretty font Crafty1!!!!! how did you do that :)

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?

I have huge issues as well in spite of 1/4 feet, seam guides, all the goodies. I just don't have that consistency, or at least I didn't on the more modern machines. I've been using old Singers and for whatever reason, I do better. Maybe it's the speed or how the presser foot holds them, I don't know. But I'm not obsessing over it anymore. Done is better than perfect around my house. That's my new mantra!

I have the same issue with my 1/4" seams. I think my quilts will always be a little lopsided lol, but as long as its just for family and myself I dont try to be too critical with myself.

I have the 1/4" for each machine and that helps. BUT I went to a "Spicy Spiral" quilt class and forgot that foot but had the seam guide. Well, when I put it on didn't realize the screws weren't secure enough and was doing about a 3/8" seam. I had already done a lot of sewing so just kept it at 3/8". My table runner was smaller than the others in the class but looks okay and you'd never know I screwed up!

I'm sure you can fudge enough and always have the piece that's too large on the bottom.

you could always trim all your blocks so that they are the same size. I usually have to do that anyway

I agree, I have a quarter inch foot for my main sewing machine and am going to order one for my other machine. The quarter inch foot has just made my life much easier when sewing together quilt peices. If you don't have one, I would encourage you to purchase one. The fustration will go away for the most part in the future. For what your working on now, i'm not sure what to tell what to do.

If you are using a 1/4 inch foot and it isn't working, you might need to "calibrate" your foot. You do that by carefully cutting two pieces of fabric (I use 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch) and piece them together along the 3 1/2 inch side. After carefully pressing open, measure. You should have a 6 1/2 inch square.

The other issue could be you are using different rulers to measure and they are not accurate. I try to stay within the same brand on a project. It can make a big difference.

I found myself 'leaning' to one side. When I sat up right then everything started coming out a little better. I guess I was just getting tired and slumping. LOL

i have the same problem..i have 1/4 inch foot but seem to fade away at the very end of seam. i have to go slow and be extremely aware of fading.

I FEEL your pain !! somehow - things slip sometimes . . at least for me and it is at the least opportune time as well :(

If I use a 1/4 inch my blocks will be to small. I have to use 2 notchs smaller with my needle and sometimes more. Depents on the amount of pieces in the block.
Do a test with strips to be sure, like someone else recommended.

I feel your pain

If your blocks are close to the right size, and I is important to you to have them exact you can block them into submission. Mark a square the correct size on a piece of freezer paper, lay it on the ironing board. Pin the block to the paper with lots of straight pins matching the marked size. You can use spray starch to help stretch the block. once pinned in place press carefully, using more starch if necessary until you have the size you want. let it cool before removing pins. To shrink pin the same way, mist heavily with water, hold the iron just above the block.

Did you measure as you sewed the various pieces together. Just a little bit of inaccuracy multiplied by many seams can add to or take away measurements. I try to measure several times and if I am off then correct before moving on.

I know what you mean. All these miles of seams and I can't get it right. If it weren't for fudging, I'd never get blocks sewn into tops... and even then, I'm chopping off points and missing seam intersections with every top I do manage to finish.

I'm grateful for the fact that rounded FMQ and a good laundering or two hide a multitude of errors. :)

I started picing with a more expensive thinner thread (superior) and I am matching upquite well now

Still use the "baggy bottom fix" tip found in a magazine - when sewing two slightly different size blocks together, just be sure the larger one is on bottom and the feed dogs will help ease in the extra fabric - works best when difference in size is 1/4 inch or less. Hope this helps.

Sorry you are feeling down in the dumps....take a little break, make a fresh pot of coffee and you'll be right:) I still rely heavily on my little perspex 1/4 inch seam guide....simple but effective and keeps this renegade on the straight and narrow (well...mostly). Easing as you put together will help but as "polyparrot" mentioned - after quilting and laundering....only you will know the deep, dark secrets of the "not quiet perfect" matches.

I did a post a while back on how to achieve accurate 1/4" seams - maybe it will help somewhat: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html

I know it's discouraging for things to not work out the way you'd hoped, but don't give up. Sometimes it just takes a little practice and then it all falls into place. Good luck!

Andi

I, too, purchased not one, but two different types of 1/4" feet for my BabyLock and, even though I am very accurate (in that all seams come out the same) it is NEVER a 1/4". Can't use post-its as suggested by others or tape because the 1/4" mark falls right over my feed dogs. So, personally, I've come to this conclusion. As long as the seams are all the same it works out fine. Maybe the finished quilt is a little narrower/shorter than the intended expectations but I can always add another border to balance it out.

Try using moleskin. You can use a long strip and it's easy to remove when you don't want it. Good luck! There are also other attachments out there that you can buy to help with this.

I have a 1/4 foot but still sometimes I find that when I square up my blocks I have to fudge a little here and there. You shouldn't have to rip if you square up....I measure all the blocks by laying them on my cutting mat then I take the smallest (maybe 1/8 short) and I square them up acording to that one. If I'm way off then I rip the one that is wayyy off then square up from there. I know not everyone squares up but I'm not "perfect" but I like my blocks to go together smoothly when I'm putting the top together. Saves me tons of ripping and time, hope that might help you!

I have decided that when it comes to log cabin I paper piece to keep things in order, otherwise my blocks are all wonky.

The scant 1/4 " is the secret to blocks going together neatly. Move your needle 2 clicks to the right. Makes a huge difference. On one of my machines I have a piece of masking tape which has been there for years and I use it as a guide. On my 6600 I use one of the marks on the plate. Try making a mark to use as a guide. You could also move your needle 2 clicks to the right.