some one told me to use an index card to get the exact 1/4". to do this, do i put my 1/4" foot on one of the lines or do i but it up like i am using my fabric. i am trying to get my scant 1/4 from there. but i put my 1/4" foot on the line and then move my needle one movement. and when i look at my fabric it looks like a small seam. am i doing this right or am i just seeing it wrong?

jeanette

Try sewing a seam. remove it from your machine and measure it. If it is below the 1/4 inch line, youv'e got it! I"d aim for 1/8 below the 1/4 line--remember that when you fold your fabric over, you lose a little bit. Doesn't seem like much, but it compounds over time.

HTH

Maybe thats my problem. I try so hard to get right on the 1/4".. I'll try the next time to aim a lil less..

You should engage your pressure foot and insert the needle on the line to find your quarter inch. From there you can butt up a stack of post - it notes (some use other materials such as tape) along the straight edge of the index card which acts as a seam guide. Place this just in front of the feed dogs. Using the post-it notes as a guide, sew a seam on a scrap fabric square and then measure to make sure it is 1/4 " throughout the seam. Most define "scant" to mean a threads width from true quarter inch to allow for turn of fabric, so you might have to adjust several times. Clear as mud, right? :D I hope this helps. You can also use a smaller quilting ruler in place of the index cards to accomplish the same thing. Also might want to consider purchasing a 1/4" foot for your machine. Let us know if you found your scant :D

Cindy

I have a 1/4" foot. That is what I was saying in my message. Do I butt the index card against the foot or put the 1/4 foot on one of the lines?

Jeanette

quilterj....if you have the 1/4 foot that has the edge...forget the card....sew you line....take it off and measure to see if your seam is a scant 1/4.... if so GREAT ....if not adjust your needle with the card inserted in it on the line.....if you can't adjust the needle or are in doubt....put your needle in the line of the card......strighten up the card ...I use about 10 layers of blue painters tape....and about 5 inches long... that gives me a good edge to sew against...keep checking and adjust accordingly Okay???? if you go to pictures of the this Forum and look at "my sewing room" you will see my machine it is set up this way ... good luck.... let us know how it goes.....sometimes it is trial and error but it is VERY important to get that 1/4 seem....it will make life easier for you...and the more you do the better you'll get...above all have fun!! :D

CindyBee gave really great directions ...so hopefully between the two of us and all the help you get it figured out...just breathe it will be okay :lol:

with apologies, i must disagree. to sew 1/8th" in from the full 1/4" line leaves only a 1/8th" seam.

a scant quarter inch is approximately 1/16th (about 2 threads on most fabs) in from the line.

and ... yes, quilterj ... a scant quarter inch seam does look oddly small. the flipside to that is ... once you get in the habit of using the scant seam, a regular quarter inch looks oddly too fat. another one of life's little ironies. :lol:

Please forgive me. My error--should be 1/16th or a thread width. My apologies if I caused confusion. I guess I am human afterall.

Hi guys,
I am just wondering what the purpose of using the scant seam is? What does it do over the 1/4 that is better?

Thanks

Thank you all for your help. I finally got it. I love this quilting board everyone here is so friendly and very helpful.