Scant quarter inch seam?
 

Why do we need it? We are always told we need to have a perfect quarter inch seam. Then you get a pattern or a kit that tells you to use a scant quarter inch, or one or two threads less than a quarter inch? If you foolishly think you can ignore these instructions...you will loose your points or something else will not fit. But at least you were told. My real peeve is the ones that don't mention you should use the scant quarter inch. Am I the only one who finds this crazy? Can someone explain why everything can't be sewn using the the quarter inch seam we try to perfect with special feet and other gadgets? I am truly blessed that this is all I have to complain about :)

I'm with you. I would rather have a pattern use a 1/4" and then have to cut the resulting block down than fiddle with this scant 1/4" stuff.

Watson

Me too! I also wish that I could use a regular-width foot which is just a hair wider than my 1/4" foot because my feed dogs are just placed too closely to that 1/4" that they don't always move the fabric straight.

Make a sample block, measure, adjust your seams accordingly. Do what's needed to get the correct finished size. "Quarter-inch" seams vary from person to person and machine to machine.

It must be to save fabric - it makes no sense to me either. If you are trying to get a specific size with the # of pieces is the only time it would make a difference, so if you are trying for a specific size is the only reason I can find the reason for the "scant" seam.

I don't worry about it - just adjust my seams so the block ends up what I need. If they are a bit big, I take a hair more width, if they are running small, then I take a bit less.

So it makes no difference to me what the pattern says.

I have been quilting since 1992 and have to achieve the perfect 1/4 inch seam. My six inch block end up being 5 7/8. I don't worry because I am making them all, and they will be off by the same amount. If something says scant, I avoid it. It does seem odd that they say that. I would think they'd make them the same.

I'm with Macybaby, it makes no difference what the pattern says. I have also found that using a 50wt/2ply or a 60wt thread makes a difference with my seams.

I have a problem with a consistent quarter inch much less a scant one. My blocks pretty much always turn out a little less than they're supposed to measure. For me, my quilts still come together and I have points. I'm only really really careful when I have a pieced border that measures an exact amount that needs to be added. I don't really like easing in a larger border because they get wavy.