bearisgray

And a really radical idea - if one has a simple straight-stitch machine.

Sew a few seams - measure them - and then decide where to put the presser foot.
Works for me.
After a while, one "knows" what seam allowances one will get - also, those little lines that are on the machine bed to the right of the feed dogs - those are helpful guidelines. Didn't realize what they were for YEARS - when I finally realized what they were - it was an "AH HAAAA!" moment for me.

quiltmom04

When you press the seam to one side, the bulk of the thread (small, though it is!) will make the seam just a thread's width bigger. Making your seam a thread width smaller ( called a scant quarter because it's really too small to measure) will account for that amount and make your seam - after it's pressed - a PERFECT quarter. That being said, the width of the thread you're using makes a difference in your seam. I don't have to really make ANY adjustments when I'm piecing with "So Fine" from Superior threads, because it is so fine, but when I'm piecing with Coats and Clarks, I definitely have to make a more scant quarter, because that thread has more bulk to it. Hope this helps!

CRicart

I have a seam guide on my vintage Singer. It is a metal guide that screws into the bed of the machne to the right of the needle. I set it to a scant 1/4 using a transparent ruler. If you have a threaded hole on your machine bed, see if you can find one of these.

ProudGranny5

Glad I read what you wrote because I was just about to ask the same question.

Thanks for the info..very helpful. Bookmarking this page for sure.

bearisgray

I also think "scant" is used to remind quilters that a "generous" 1/4 inch will mess up the block.

wvdek

Well, if you are breaking the law, then I will be in confinement the rest of my life. You do what works for you.

bjdemir

I can adjust the needle either way on both my Pfaff 2046 and my Janome. I had to learn the 1/4 or scant the hard way. Still have to work at it. My Janome seems to do the best with the 1/4" foot.

pc1camp

I think you are all missing the point. You do the scant like the first lady said because when you press the seam to one side, one of the pieces of material stays 1/4" but the one that is on top is a little shorted because it went up and over a smidge, so when you do a little less than 1/4" by the time you have done all the ironing and turning, you really do end up with a 1/4". I think that is right.

Peg-Tx

pc1camp

CraftyBear is right. If you take a 7 or 8 layer of masking tape off a roll, you can mark a little less than 1/4" and use that as a guide or just mark one on the bed of machine with a black marker.

zz-pd

sorry I can not help you. God bless. Penny