Have a questiion, how many of you do a scant 1/4 inch and how many just do 1/4?? I would think doing scant would not give good strengh to quilts being used alot

I only use a scant when my cutting seems to be a little off!

I use scant

I use scant as well - strength is built in when the quilting is done.

I try to use a scant 1/4"

Depends on if the pattern requires the exact size blocks. Like Eleanor Burn's samplers---they need a scant. Where Kaye Wood's doesn't....

i use scant 1/4 inch it is just about 1 threads width less it doesnt make quilt any less strong

I go with scant because it always seems to end up perfect. A scant is just a thread or so difference, but it seems to make up for it when I press the seams. I have done this for years and I have never had a problem with a seam popping. I could see that if I was using an eighth of an inch seam, but not with a scant quarter inch seam.

Me too ;)

Scant is plenty strong since there is supposed to be quilting on the project to keep it stable.

LoL! Love this!

I use my 1/4 inch foot with guide, whatever size that is.
Scant or 1/4.???

I use a scant for accurate sizing of blocks. It is only like a stitch width, to allow for pressing seams. There is still plenty of room on the other side and will be reinforced even more when the quilting is done.

I use 1/4 inch, just follow the foot.

I start out with a scant 1/4" and usually I will make a sample block.
Some patterns require the scant and some don't, many don't state which to use lol. I would rather start with a scant and resew a seam, than rip out a 1/4" to sew a scant :wink: :D:D:D

Before I start a new project I do the 3 strips test until I have a perfect 1/4".
Works for me.

For me, it depends on the block or quilt pattern and sometimes how many seams there are.

I always try to use scant. Sometimes it's tough, but the quilting does add stability.

I use 1/4 inch always. I read about a scant 1/4 inch foot, for the machine, and it stated that it is only 1 thread line smaller than the 1/4 inch foot...I saw no need for that.

I use a scant.

I do the same - works everytime

I use scant when using my Singer 301, and I follow the 1/4-inch foot when on my Viking.

Same here...one thread aking a fiff made no sense to me. Besides, I don't have to buy a gadget to sew a scant seam .More important to sew all seams same size.

I use a regular 1/4" seam mostly unless a project specifically states to do scant for it.

I use both depending on the pattern, some patterns call for a scant seam. If the stitch length is not big I use 2.5 seams do not open up.

Here's a strange answer for you. It depends on which machine I'm pieceing with!!

I always use a 1/4 guide foot. The 1/4 guide foot I have on my H-Viking has a single hole for the needle so I HAVE to use the 1/4 guide - which is no longer 1/4 after I iron it.

The 1/4 guide WALKING foot on my Janome has a wider needle hole so I move the needle to 5.9 which is what I determined to be 1/4 AFTER ironing.

Of course once I start piecing a project on one machine I have to finish it on the same machine. The type of project I'm working on will determine what machine I'm using. If I need to make long strips (for Bargello for example) I prefer to use the walking foot.

Sue

I try to use scant and the blocks never come out the right size, they don't come out the right size when I use a bigger size seam either. Question, how would I who is sewing challenged make a block that is the size its suppose to be? Do I cut it a scant bigger and sew it from there, do I cut all the pieces bigger and then cut it down to size what works. I am really tired of trying to make this work and it doesn't. I have been struggling with this very problem for yrs. I sew, measure again and its never the right size, what am I doing wrong?Thanks for any help you can give a very challenged person here. I do sew very carefully and when I get done its never never the size it says its suppose to be. HELP....

I never figured out why one or two threads worth would matter, so I use the 1/4" that I marked many years ago on my sewing machine. Then again, if I am a couple of threads off from matching seams/points perfectly, I'm OK with that. My job requires perfection so when I quilt, I don't make myself continue with that.....it's my way of relaxing a bit.

I've started using Sulky invisible thread which is very thin, and I think it solves the problem. It's pricey so I buy it with coupons. It seems to last forever, though, so the bobbin doesn't need to be filled nearly as often, and I don't have to worry about what color to use.

I agree with DogHouseMom-it all depends what machine I'm using and the pattern. My Featherweights are a straight 1/4" ( I just follow the side of my foot) and they are fine everytime. When using my Bernina I use a scant. I usually use this machine for block swaps that have to be specific in size. Using a scant will give me enough extra so I can square it to the correct size.

I use a scant 1/4", some people use a large 1/4" and they can not figure out why their blocks are not big enough. But whatever size 1/4" inch you use as long as you use it through out your intire quilt your quilt should be correct.

It depends.... if I'm in a swap, I'll do a scant so that it will match everyone elses blocks.

If it for my own family, I consistently do a 1/4 inch depending on the pattern. If the pattern has a lot of points, then I stay with the scant.

I think I use a scant. I set all my machines with a Perkins Dry Goods 1/4" piecing guide. I do it this way because I never know which machine I'll be using and it eliminates the guess work.

Yes I don't make anything but fun quilts either. As you can see I am not doing well so wouldn't do anything but fun quilts and my family loves them. I had thought cutting everything just a shade bigger might solve my problems. But I didn't want to do it if there was no way that would work, now I know, thank you all for the help. I can always come to this board and get answers and for that I am grateful.

How do you do a scant using a 1/4 inch foot???????

That's my method, tool

Here's a reply I posted to a similar question last week:

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I believe the reason for doing a scant 1/4" is that if you were to sew EXACTLY on the 1/4" mark, your finished seam allowance will be slightly larger than 1/4" - which means the other part of the fabric, the part that's in the block, will be a little smaller than it should be.

This is due to the fact that the thread you are sewing with takes up a little bit of room, and when you press the seam to one side you lose another little bit.

If you are doing blocks with large pieces and just one or two seams it won't really matter. But if you have lots of little pieces and many seams, they all add up. For example, if you are off 1/32" on each seam, and you have 8 seams in a block, your block will end up 1/4" too small.
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And here's a link to a tute on testing your 1/4 seam for accuracy:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm

I use the full 1/4 inch, unless one of my squares is off a little bit. I really don't like getting too close to the edge! :-D