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-   -   Tips for 1/4" seam allowance (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/tips-1-4-seam-allowance-t211375.html)

MaryAnnMc 01-20-2013 04:49 AM

Oh, I'm definitely going to give that a try! Thanks so much. I have learned to move my needle one click off-center. Maybe this way I won't have to do that.

minstrel 01-20-2013 05:08 AM

I'll have to try that. I can't move my needle over on my particular machine to adjust it. I usually do "okay enough" with my seams that I can fudge things and ease my seams for my blocks if I have to, but it would be a lot easier not to have to do that. Thanks for the tip!

Krystyna 01-20-2013 05:21 AM

Wonderful tip! Thank you.

lclang 01-20-2013 05:43 AM

There is a quarter inch foot with a "fence" that also is helpful to sew really accurate seams. Just line up your fabric with the right side "fence" and sew away. My Babylock has a 1/4 inch setting and it is pretty accurate. I use it all the time. Do NOT use two machines in one project. I just did that because my Pfaff went crazy and I finished the project on the Babylock and they are just a tad difference, maybe a thread or so, but magnify that by many pieces and you get differences and have to put the larger piece on the bottom to get the feed dogs to help you ease in the difference.

Minnesewta-sam 01-20-2013 05:56 AM

I had noticed that in some videos that the fabrics didn't look lined up perfectly. Now I know why. Thanks for the info.

Buckeye Rose 01-20-2013 06:04 AM

On my Janome, the 1/4" foot is way off at the default needle position. I had to sew, measure, and adjust several times before I found that perfect position for the needle. I now have that burned into my brain and change it everytime I start piecing.

ceannastahr 01-20-2013 06:07 AM

I too noticed that I don't have an accurate 1/4 in allowance with my foot I took a index card and sew a line to measure the distance for my machine. I then cut a long piece of templet plastic and used double back tape and placed it on my machine I now butt the fabric up to it and have not had a problem since

mhansen6 01-20-2013 06:36 AM


Originally Posted by Krisb (Post 5797012)
Thanks--I will try that. But I don't comprehend why a foot designed for quilting will not measure a "scant" 1/4" accurately.

I took a hammer to my 1/4 in foot and now it is accurate.

fayeberry 01-20-2013 06:40 AM

good tip, will try it

Geri B 01-20-2013 06:45 AM


Originally Posted by lclang (Post 5799109)
There is a quarter inch foot with a "fence" that also is helpful to sew really accurate seams. Just line up your fabric with the right side "fence" and sew away. My Babylock has a 1/4 inch setting and it is pretty accurate. I use it all the time. Do NOT use two machines in one project. I just did that because my Pfaff went crazy and I finished the project on the Babylock and they are just a tad difference, maybe a thread or so, but magnify that by many pieces and you get differences and have to put the larger piece on the bottom to get the feed dogs to help you ease in the difference.

I too have a Baby lock and yes the fence is good for straight seam sewing, but if you are joining a triangle or angle seam to a straight seam, that little dog ear gets caught on that fence....so depending what I am doing I will either use the fence one or just the 1/4" foot without fence........
I guess I am dismayed with the fact that we pay so much money for these "new" machines and they all seem to have to be tweeked.........not so with my old FW!!!!!!


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