The Mystery of the Scant 1/4".
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nawth o' Boston
Posts: 1,879
I think that the net net to get a piecing which measures the correct dimension and a block which is the correct dimension is consistency! Developing consistency and then maintaining it within the constraints of your project fabric and thread regardless of what foot you use or if you burn oil or herbs or a doll stuck with pins - and I have thought about all that!!! (Thank heavens for MTS telling me about Sally Collins who saved my sanity.)
Every fabric and thread choice will change the dimension.
The little black 1/4" foot guide (unless you push the fabric into it or hold off from it a tad - which is no different than any other bumper or guide or marking system)will be as consistent as any other guide. Your own variations in running the material through, plus how you set the piece (iron-set seam, iron inside out, iron right side with starch - or whatever method you prefer and use consistently) will create either a consistency or a variation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said "Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" but then he never had to quilt!!!
Every fabric and thread choice will change the dimension.
The little black 1/4" foot guide (unless you push the fabric into it or hold off from it a tad - which is no different than any other bumper or guide or marking system)will be as consistent as any other guide. Your own variations in running the material through, plus how you set the piece (iron-set seam, iron inside out, iron right side with starch - or whatever method you prefer and use consistently) will create either a consistency or a variation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said "Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" but then he never had to quilt!!!
#42
My Bernina lets me move my needle to the right and I just do that one time and then I can use my guide and have a scant 1/4 inch. Works really well - that is if I sew straight. But I can't blame that on the foot!
#43
I purchased the 1/4 foot with the guide. However what I notice is that because the foot is not as wide on the right side it does not cover the feeddogs like the left side does and it tends not to feed equally therefore I feel I am fighting the machine and fabric. I am thinking about getting a 1/4 foot that is equally wide on each side at the back and 1/4 at the front hoping it will correct the problem.
I read a topic on here about adjusting pressure but my machine does not allow me to do this.
Anyone else have an Idea? I don't want to spend more money if it won't fix the problem.
I read a topic on here about adjusting pressure but my machine does not allow me to do this.
Anyone else have an Idea? I don't want to spend more money if it won't fix the problem.
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nawth o' Boston
Posts: 1,879
Originally Posted by mburdell
I purchased the 1/4 foot with the guide. However what I notice is that because the foot is not as wide on the right side it does not cover the feeddogs like the left side does and it tends not to feed equally therefore I feel I am fighting the machine and fabric. I am thinking about getting a 1/4 foot that is equally wide on each side at the back and 1/4 at the front hoping it will correct the problem.
I read a topic on here about adjusting pressure but my machine does not allow me to do this.
Anyone else have an Idea? I don't want to spend more money if it won't fix the problem.
I read a topic on here about adjusting pressure but my machine does not allow me to do this.
Anyone else have an Idea? I don't want to spend more money if it won't fix the problem.
#45
Originally Posted by Darlene516
Since a scant 1/4" is so important why can't some enterprising machine co. develop one? They'd make a fortune.
#47
Originally Posted by SueSew
Originally Posted by mburdell
I purchased the 1/4 foot with the guide. However what I notice is that because the foot is not as wide on the right side it does not cover the feeddogs like the left side does and it tends not to feed equally therefore I feel I am fighting the machine and fabric. I am thinking about getting a 1/4 foot that is equally wide on each side at the back and 1/4 at the front hoping it will correct the problem.
I read a topic on here about adjusting pressure but my machine does not allow me to do this.
Anyone else have an Idea? I don't want to spend more money if it won't fix the problem.
I read a topic on here about adjusting pressure but my machine does not allow me to do this.
Anyone else have an Idea? I don't want to spend more money if it won't fix the problem.
#50
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by american homestead
What is a scant 1/4" seam???
I hear this question all the time.
It was a question I asked myself
when I started quilting.
In quilting we generally sew our
seams with a 1/4" seam allowance.
And that is where this mystery begins...
I hear this question all the time.
It was a question I asked myself
when I started quilting.
In quilting we generally sew our
seams with a 1/4" seam allowance.
And that is where this mystery begins...
How come none of those expensive quilting books mentioned this. Might explain why my blocks don't come out the right size all the time. I will try this in the morning.
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