How long did it take you to conquer 1/4" seams?
04-04-2011, 06:31 PM
#81
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego California
Posts: 92
I purchased a Sewing Gauge (Sewing Fence) from Sailrite when I purchased my
Sailrite machine some years ago. I also was having problems with the 1/4" allowance even after I bought a 1/4" foot. So my DH put the sewing gauge on my machine I use for quilting and made a 2" extension on the gauge and I no longer have any problems. It guides the material before the material gets to the foot so it is inline perfect. It works for me.
Sailrite machine some years ago. I also was having problems with the 1/4" allowance even after I bought a 1/4" foot. So my DH put the sewing gauge on my machine I use for quilting and made a 2" extension on the gauge and I no longer have any problems. It guides the material before the material gets to the foot so it is inline perfect. It works for me.
04-04-2011, 06:49 PM
#82
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Port Lavaca, TX
Posts: 1,276
Originally Posted by milp04
Hi Dene,
Can you tell us what kind of sewing machine and foot that you're using? Can you provide a picture? Are you able to move your needle left and right? If you can that is a great help. It helps to consider sewing a scant 1/4 inch all the time. It really helps to have a 1/4 inch foot with the flange on it, worth every penny of it's cost.
You said you're not getting consistancy, have you asked yourself why? What are you doing different from piece to piece? Are you sewing too fast? Are you holding the fabric differently from one time to the next?
How are you preparing your fabric? Do you wash and iron it each time? Do you use sizing, starch or the new product Best Press? Do you sew and then press your seams before going onto the next? Do you set the sewn seam line before you open and press? Are you being consistent with every step from each time to the next?
However, I found with my 1/4 inch foot that I still needed to move my needle to help get the scant 1/4 sewing line so that my seams ended up being 1/4 inch.
I also have found a plastic open toe foot that has marking lines on it. I sewed sample seam lines until I knew exactly where to put my fabric edge and where the needle had to be to get the scant 1/4 inch. This foot was also worth every penny of it's cost. I like the open toe as you can see where the needle is going down into the fabric as you sew.
As someone else mentioned I have marked my sewing lines on some pieces depending on the pattern.
Pam M
Can you tell us what kind of sewing machine and foot that you're using? Can you provide a picture? Are you able to move your needle left and right? If you can that is a great help. It helps to consider sewing a scant 1/4 inch all the time. It really helps to have a 1/4 inch foot with the flange on it, worth every penny of it's cost.
You said you're not getting consistancy, have you asked yourself why? What are you doing different from piece to piece? Are you sewing too fast? Are you holding the fabric differently from one time to the next?
How are you preparing your fabric? Do you wash and iron it each time? Do you use sizing, starch or the new product Best Press? Do you sew and then press your seams before going onto the next? Do you set the sewn seam line before you open and press? Are you being consistent with every step from each time to the next?
However, I found with my 1/4 inch foot that I still needed to move my needle to help get the scant 1/4 sewing line so that my seams ended up being 1/4 inch.
I also have found a plastic open toe foot that has marking lines on it. I sewed sample seam lines until I knew exactly where to put my fabric edge and where the needle had to be to get the scant 1/4 inch. This foot was also worth every penny of it's cost. I like the open toe as you can see where the needle is going down into the fabric as you sew.
As someone else mentioned I have marked my sewing lines on some pieces depending on the pattern.
Pam M
I wore right through the one that came with my machine when it was new.
It helps if your machine tracks straight. ...and even better if it has a running speed adjustable guide/lever switch. It is harder to keep the seams even, roaring the pieces through as fast as your machine will go!
The idea is accuracy, not racing speed, even though you can do it. J
04-04-2011, 07:09 PM
#83
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by elm
I just discovered something I probably should have known all along. If you iron, not press when setting your seams, you can distort the fabric. Maybe it's not your sewing, but your ironing.
04-04-2011, 07:20 PM
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Warrensburg, MO
Posts: 396
Originally Posted by DeneK
I try -- I really try. But I cannot seem to get any consistency. There are a whole of of quilters here -- please tell me there is hope.
I have tried several 1/4" feet. Tried stacking the post-its. Tried marking my sewing machine bed.
Sometimes it works. Sometimes I just think it is working until I try to put together the pieces of the block and nothing fits.
Can you tell I am frustrated today?
I have tried several 1/4" feet. Tried stacking the post-its. Tried marking my sewing machine bed.
Sometimes it works. Sometimes I just think it is working until I try to put together the pieces of the block and nothing fits.
Can you tell I am frustrated today?
;-)
04-04-2011, 07:40 PM
#85
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SC
Posts: 2,027
My mother made quilts without all the problems of a "scant" 1/4 inch. Therein lies the problem. Seams used to be pressed open. Now we are pressing them to the "dark" side. IMHO, I think that all cotton thicknesses are not created equal! When pressing seams open they are more likely to be even when using the 1/4 in seam, especially if you use a presser foot with a guide on it. When pressing to one side due to the "thickness" of the cottons and if the seam is not exactly a "scant", you have a bump over 2 layers of material when pressed. Trying to figure out the "scant" has been trying but I am getting closer, I think? I recently read of a quilt designer/maker returning to the open-pressed seams because of all the problems with the "scant". I think a "scant" is in the "eye of the beholder".....just a thought... (sorry to be lengthy)
04-04-2011, 09:35 PM
#86
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, OR via Hawaii
Posts: 1,342
If you are having that much of a problem, as I often do,
here's one suggestion.
Start with the "test" method. Sew two 2.5" squares together, press to set your seam then press it open and measure your final product. It should measure 4.5" If it's not, adjust accordingly.
I haven't read through all the posts yet, so this might have already been mentioned, along with the all important PRESS, not IRON (moving iron back and forth).
Above all.........relax...check each block as you go along and BEFORE you sew it to another...as long as all your blocks are the same size all will turn out well. No kidding.
:lol: :thumbup:
here's one suggestion.
Start with the "test" method. Sew two 2.5" squares together, press to set your seam then press it open and measure your final product. It should measure 4.5" If it's not, adjust accordingly.
I haven't read through all the posts yet, so this might have already been mentioned, along with the all important PRESS, not IRON (moving iron back and forth).
Above all.........relax...check each block as you go along and BEFORE you sew it to another...as long as all your blocks are the same size all will turn out well. No kidding.
:lol: :thumbup:
04-04-2011, 10:46 PM
#88
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N Texas
Posts: 1,134
I do what Paper Princess described before each new project. The thread and pressing really make a difference. Also, took me a while to press correctly. Can still goof that up depending on the quality of the fabric the pressing may stretch the block......
04-05-2011, 04:09 AM
#89
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mena, Arkansas
Posts: 1,351
Originally Posted by quiltjoey
My mother made quilts without all the problems of a "scant" 1/4 inch. Therein lies the problem. Seams used to be pressed open. Now we are pressing them to the "dark" side. IMHO, I think that all cotton thicknesses are not created equal! When pressing seams open they are more likely to be even when using the 1/4 in seam, especially if you use a presser foot with a guide on it. When pressing to one side due to the "thickness" of the cottons and if the seam is not exactly a "scant", you have a bump over 2 layers of material when pressed. Trying to figure out the "scant" has been trying but I am getting closer, I think? I recently read of a quilt designer/maker returning to the open-pressed seams because of all the problems with the "scant". I think a "scant" is in the "eye of the beholder".....just a thought... (sorry to be lengthy)
That said, I usually press to one side unless I have a need to press seams open.
04-05-2011, 04:16 AM
#90
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NW Chicago Suburb
Posts: 379
I was a "clothes" sewer before a quilter and always pressed my seams open. But those seams were 5/8's. I tried pressing my quilting seams open, but have a difficult time with the smaller seam. End up either failing to get them completely open or burning myself with the iron. I'm going back to pressing to the side.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Vicki (Adelaide SA)
Main
21
04-24-2015 09:17 PM
