Jingle

My Juki has a compensating foot. Makes a perfect 1/4" seam. I don't worry about a scant anything. Needle does not move. It is a straight stitch only machine. I bought a 1/4" foot with the guide, seems the more I use it the less accurate it is. I really need to check it.

Holice

Look at a lined 3x5 card. Many have lines that are a scant quarter inch.

Dogwood Quilter

Try Bonnie Hunter's method. It works great. Use a file card to get that perfect vertical line. I didn't have the hotel key card so used a paint chip from the paint department. Just cut it to match the 3m removable strip. Works great on my FW. http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/...-saturday.html

Cecelia363

Quality 3x5 index cards have accurate 1/4 " spaced lines. Put needle down on the line and then butt a partial stack of "super sticky" post-it notes (the bound edge) up to the edge of the 3x5 card, when they loose their stickum just peel off a page and re-place. I used this fast and cheap method in my 4-H sewing class, sure helped those little girls!

Old Spice

Did you know that lines on an index card are exactly 1/4"? This is what we have the ladies in my church quilt group use, since our donated machines do not have 1/4" feet.

Also, in lieu of blue tape on your machine, the pull out adhesive part of the wall hanger thingies (memory shut down) works as a guide.

Long time reader, first time poster.

Old Spice

Old Spice

Sorry, got my cart and horse confused. Did not read far enough to see my idea already posted.
That is okey, 'cause I learned how to post and reply.

madamekelly

I took the time to actually measure a scant quarter inch from my left most needle position, and found that the normal foot for my quilting machine gives me a scant quarter inch seam, but I still had problems keeping the fabric lined up properly due to my visual problems. DH was watching me struggle, and suggested using a strip of day-glo orange duct tape across the bed so I can line the fabric up and keep my seams straight. I got the idea of using a permanent ink pen to make a line on the machine itself, so that when I move the tape to change bobbins, or need fresh tape, I can just stick it back down following the line. I do turn under the end of the tape facing me so I can pull it loose as needed.
Before you all panic at the idea of actually writing on my machine with permanent ink, I did it knowing that I would always need this help to make my seams correctly. When I am working with other seam sizes, I just pull the tape, ignore the line, and use a piece of tape put down at the 5/8" line. My lines are color coded. This has certainly helped increase my accuracy when piecing, since my 1/4 inch foot is too far away for me to see clearly.

littlebitoheaven

I admit that I have NOT read all of the replies to this thread but want to let everyone know that you may remove permanent marker with hair spray.

misseva

I use Bonnie Hunter's method too and I bought the quarter inch foot with guide on it for my Brother and it makes a perfect 1/4" seam.

jeanharville

I don't use a scant 1/4. I like to use #50 or #60 thread or if all I have is #40, I press my seams open. And I am having much more accurate seams doing this. And this way I can use different sewing machines on one quilt without a lot of hassle. Before I learned this, I did measure, sew the test strips, and set my seam every time I started a new project.