sarge1

I am so frustrated, and sad. Each time I start a new project, I have such high hopes: I'm going to do it right this time, I'm going to cut perfectly, I'm going to do the 1/4 inch seam test before I start piecing, I'm going to use the correct thread and needle, etc. And then, I CAN NOT get the seam to work out so the block is the correct size! I mean, CAN NOT. And then I get frustrated, and I start forcing the blocks together, or re-cutting them, until it all gets so muddled that I don't even want to finish. I know without watching me none of you can probably help figure out what I am doing wrong. I've done 2 test blocks and so far each is too small. I was very careful in cutting, so I know it's something I am doing while sewing. I try to sew a "scant" 1/4. I honestly feel like giving up quilting, and after being so excited to start sewing something new just 2 days ago. Thanks .

meyert

Sorry you are frustrated, hope after you vented you feel better. I don't have any answers for you, but I know I have the same problem and for that reason I am afraid to work from a pattern. I know I won't cut or sew perfectly so up to this point in my life I have never used a pattern. Then when I mess up I just change my plan or add a square.... whatever I feel needs to be done. BUT then I will never have a show quilt with this technique I know. I work on my quilts for fun and I don't want to stress over them.. at least not anymore.. there was a time I even got frustrated enough that I pitched the whole project in the trash.

Scissor Queen

My scant quarter seam got a lot scanter and more accurate when I switched to Aurifil thread. To test your seam allowance sew three pieces 1 1/2 by 4 inches together. Measure on top and see if the center section measures 1 inch. If it's bigger you know your seam is too small. If it's smaller your seam is too big.

Tartan

A thinner but strong thread like Aurifil does help when piecing. A consistent seam allowance is as important as the 1/4 inch seam. If you are repeating the same block, as long as they all come out the same size, the pattern will work out with only minor adjustments for sashing or border measurements. The only time I obsess about a block coming out perfectly, is if I am doing an exchange. Guess how I solve that dilemma? I don't do block exchanges. Give yourself a break and you will get better as you gain experience.

mdall

I used to have the same problem. I would get so frustrated and just want to through my machine and all out the door. I then found another quilter in my area and had her watch what I was doing. I was doing everything correctly so she sat down with my machine and began to play with it. She then showed me exactly what setting on my machine would make it easier for me to get that elusive 1/4. I had my needle set in a different position that didnt allow me to get full use of my feed dogs. Once the adjustments were made and I found a new spot to start lining up on almost all my stuff comes out just fine. Just keep trying and go looking for the help from another quilter if need be. I know it sure helped me. Hope this helps.

Tropical

I don't know about Aurifil thread because I have never used anything but Coats and Clarks. It works fine for me. I do agree with Tartan about not obsessing about it. I have only used one pattern and that was for my first quilt top. It didn't come out exactly right because my cutting was a bit off. I often don't use a scant 1/4 inch. I do use the same presser foot for the entire quilt top though. The one that came with my machine is slightly over 1/4 inch. The only time I really worry about seams not matching is when I make pinwheels. All other times my seams come out right. I used to stress about everything and didn't have much fun so I decided no more stressing. It takes up too much emotional energy which I really need for other things. So try not to worry too much, give yourself time to learn and get better at this wonderful craft and have fun.

BETTY62

The best advise that I can offer you is to stop stressing and enjoy your new hobby. Make sure that you press your blocks rather than iron them which will stretch your blocks out shape and pin your blocks together before sewing your seams. Give yourself time to learn and take a break when you feel stressed.

DOTTYMO

With one of my machines it does not have the needle adjusting option. This caused all my seams to be too big. What I did was measure from the needle 1/4" and put masking tape down the side. Now I sew but I always make sure I can see the edge of the tape ie not butting up and it worked.

Prism99

Step #1: place a physical barrier on your machine bed to guide your seam allowance. I like to use this product:
http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting...ive+seam+guide

To place it, I use my favorite ruler that has fine lines. I place it under the presser foot and lower the needle so the needle tip is just to the right of the 1/4" line (helps create a "scant" 1/4" seam allowance). Then I lower the presser foot to hold the ruler in place. Next step is to check that the ruler is running exactly front-to-back. This is pretty easy to tell by comparing the ruler lines to the throat plate edge. If necessary, I adjust the ruler so it is running exactly front-to-back. I remove the plastic from the underside of a Dritz adhesive guide and place it so it butts up against my ruler edge. (Lift and move if you don't get it right the first time.)

Step #2 is to use a fine thread. My preference is Aurifil 50wt 2-ply, but polyester 60wt thread will also work. Using a fine thread like this helps to give you that "scant" seam allowance.

Make a test strip using 3 pieces of 2.5" fabric. After you seam them together and press, they should measure exactly 6.5" wide. If they are less, chances are high that you are not pressing your seams correctly. This brings us to step #3. Make sure that you are not pressing so that there is a little extra fabric in the seam. This extra "turn-of-the-cloth" will add too much to the seam allowance so that your previous two "scant" seam allowance allowances (needle to right of 1/4" line on ruler, and fine thread) will not be enough.

If you adjust the above 3 factors until you get it right, and if you are careful when sewing to butt up your fabric edges to the physical barrier, you will not only get accurate seam allowances -- you will also be able to sew fast.

Trust me on this.

Incidentally, in order to do this on my machine and still have fabric connecting with the full width of the feed dogs, I have to remember to move my needle one position to the right every time I turn on the machine. To remind myself, I often place a piece of painter's tape over my sewing machine dial. The last quilt I did I sewed merrily without doing this the first night, and have been paying the price of the constant adjustments you describe ever since because my seam allowance was too wide!

Edit: Instead of a ruler, in the first step you can use 4-squares-to-the-inch graph paper. Place the needle just to the right of one block's lefthand line.

notmorecraft

I bought a 1/4 "foot which has an guide at the edge of the foot which you lineup with the edge of the fabric, this keeps the needle exactly 1/4 " from the edge and produces an accurate 1/4" seam. The guide us like a piece of metal that runs along the edge of the fabric, I find it very accurate as opposed to lining up with a line on my machine even when piecing 1 1/2 half square triangles