I have stopped using the quarter inch foot with the flange or guard. After measuring completed seams, I have found this foot is NOT giving me a good quarter inch. The fabric is going under the flange just slightly. But that little bit adds up and my blocks were not accurate, so I'm back to my open clear foot for now on my Janome computerized machines. I just got a straight stitch machine, Janome HD9V2 and I am using the narrow foot. I think I, like this one much better for piecing.