what's your best advice to beginner for keeping 1/4" seam consistent?
01-29-2017, 05:03 PM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by katier825
I've had the best luck with the 1/4" foot that has the edge guide.
01-29-2017, 05:49 PM
#42
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 255
Welcome beginner, I have several ways not sure what machine you have; but all machines come with open toe foot if your machine does not have needle move position to 1/4" seam. Align your fabric edge with the edge of your open toe foot, (please use scrap fabric) then one you have stitch seam take it out and measure should be prefect 1/4" seam.
01-29-2017, 06:11 PM
#43
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kentucky live in WV
Posts: 8,482
As a "true beginner," I used a Fons & Porter ruler; draw a line to follow. Later used a "free John Flynn card" that had a 1/4 inch ruler guide. My new Janome has a 1/4 foot and has multiple coded patchwork 1/4 settings. I use a 1/4 metal guide to check accuracy. This was suggested on a Training Online course.
01-29-2017, 07:34 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 551
Originally Posted by mamagrande
I have been quilting for over 20 yrs and was taught to stack masking tape several layers thick, be sure that the edges are straight, find the 1/4 inch and place the tape. 20 yrs later I still use that method..even if I have a quarter inch foot.
This is the method that worked best when I gave summer camp sewing lessons. Each student had a different machine so just adding tape worked just fine. These were children 8 - 12 yrs old. It was lots of fun we tied the comforters and I bound them on the machine.[ATTACH=CONFIG]567005[/ATTACH]
This is the method that worked best when I gave summer camp sewing lessons. Each student had a different machine so just adding tape worked just fine. These were children 8 - 12 yrs old. It was lots of fun we tied the comforters and I bound them on the machine.[ATTACH=CONFIG]567005[/ATTACH]
01-30-2017, 08:02 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 1,920
Or you can use a stack of "post-it" notes at the 1/4". Pull off the bottom one when it no longer sticks. This is how I have taught children. And just a reminder as I used to tell the children. Watch where the fabric feed along the guide. The needle is not going anywhere, just up and down but the fabric needs to feed accurately.
01-30-2017, 04:15 PM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I marked the quarter inch measurement on the long side of a 3" x 5" index card, then put my needle down through center of the line (no thread), and used the edge of the card as a template to draw a line with a permanent marker right on the bed of the machine. It does fade with time and use, so I draw it again as needed. I do extend the line past the needle position to avoid the "cut corner" problem I seem to have at the end of seams. Works great.
01-31-2017, 10:08 AM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
Originally Posted by Bearpawquilter
A true 1/4" seam is too big and doesn't allow for the space taken by thread and folding. Another thing that has helped is using thinner thread. When I started using Aurifil 50 wt. thread for piecing, the clouds parted and the sun came out!
I made a strip set of seven different fabrics, then cut them up into squares. I should have gotten three squares out of WOF strips, but they were too short. Because of the scant seam, the squares were a little bigger.
Those squares (two squares and a short one) are still sitting in my sewing room. I haven't the heart to try to figure it out. I could sew each seam on the two of them just a little closer to 1/4 inch. Then at least I could use them with the rest of the quilt . . . . when I get back working on the rest of the quilt.
01-31-2017, 01:00 PM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by maviskw
You have that so right. But sometimes you have to be really careful about getting the 1/4 in too scant.
I made a strip set of seven different fabrics, then cut them up into squares. I should have gotten three squares out of WOF strips, but they were too short. Because of the scant seam, the squares were a little bigger.
Those squares (two squares and a short one) are still sitting in my sewing room. I haven't the heart to try to figure it out. I could sew each seam on the two of them just a little closer to 1/4 inch. Then at least I could use them with the rest of the quilt . . . . when I get back working on the rest of the quilt.
I made a strip set of seven different fabrics, then cut them up into squares. I should have gotten three squares out of WOF strips, but they were too short. Because of the scant seam, the squares were a little bigger.
Those squares (two squares and a short one) are still sitting in my sewing room. I haven't the heart to try to figure it out. I could sew each seam on the two of them just a little closer to 1/4 inch. Then at least I could use them with the rest of the quilt . . . . when I get back working on the rest of the quilt.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bearisgray
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
65
02-01-2024 09:04 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
3
11-11-2010 12:57 PM
