grandme26

When I first started piecing a quilt, I have made clothes for years, I could not sew a 1/4" seam. But I had the strange additute that if I do not worry about it I would improve. Now I have a nice 1/4" seam, my points are nice and my seams match. I enjoy what I am doing and most all looks good. Let her enjoy what she is doing accracie will come with time. I am also a poor speller.

captlynhall

I found two things that helped me when I first started piecing and trying for the 1/4" seam. First was to move the speed dial on my machine so that it limited how fast I could sew. Also, I am short and found it difficult to look down onto what i was sewing. So I purchased two small rubber door stops and placed them on the back side of my machine. This tilted it enough so that I could actually see what I was doing. My 1/4 seams improved dramatically.

cathyvv

You sound like me, except that I only use the 1/4" foot without the fence. That works for me. I still veer off at the end of seams a bit too frequently, but I resew the skinny part of the seam to get the 1/4". No one sees it when it's quilted, so why not?

As you've probably guessed, I am not quilting "heirloom" quilts!

cathyvv

Try using elmers washable glue instead of pins to hold the fabrics together. I like to use the glue sticks. The glue is really helpful for matching corners, too.

My 'grands' have used the glue sticks when quilting, and managed to sew reasonably straight.

I forgot to mention that one of the things that I used to do was watch the needle go up and down instead of guiding the fabric through the sewing area. Of course, I thought I was guiding the fabric...

It took a while to beak the habit, but with the help of a 1/4" foot, I managed.

cathyvv

That's a very well made quilt, and it's cute, too! The best part of the process is the memories the two of you will carry with you for the rest of your lives.

Kids don't have the same 'attitude' about learning something new (for them). They just do it as if it's the most natural thing in the world to do - which it is!

DOTTYMO

I had forgotten about the tipping the back. Placing a new thread as well to ask about the glue.

DOTTYMO

I use the elmers glue after purchasing a very large bottle. I had thought of joining seams with the glue stick like Pritt stick make only cheaper. Would this work so I can glue and sew almost immediately. And does it wash out etc.
In UK Elmers glue is difficult to find I paid £70 for the bottle I have so I treat it like gold.
I want to show keeping seams together and then sew.
This is a ramble hope someone can advise.

Thank you everyone who helps , I really appreciate the chat.

quiltinghere

How old is this person who needs to understand 1/4" inch seam?

Nan

gigigray032447

I taught two people to sew and had them practice without thread by sewing along the lines on an index card. They learned to make a straight line quickly.

Janis

I like using the Command Strips for picture hanging for marking my 1/4 " seam allowance.
They are removable and re-adjustable when you need to do so. I find that I can reposition them several times before the stickiness is gone and they have to be replaced. They also don't leave a residue on the machine like some tapes do.
I also pin from the LEFT side of my fabric. I know that in home-ec class we were all taught to pin from the right side. BUT in pinning from the right hand side of your fabric, you are pinning in a much smaller area of fabric, and the pin can get in the way of any seam guide you might use. If you pin from the LEFT SIDE of the fabric, you can put your pin into the fabric farther and still not get it in the way of the needle when sewing. It does take a little practice to do it that way, but is well worth it. Try it and let me know how you like it, please.
Janis