"Scant Quarter"
02-25-2020, 07:36 AM
#31
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Originally Posted by cashs_mom
I've found that to get everything to match up, washable Elmer's glue, is hard to beat. I put a drop on every intersection match the seams and put a binder clip on it. I sew it up and everything comes out perfect. No matter how accurately you cut and sew, the fabric can stretch and move, especially if it's on the bias. Elmer's glue and starch are your friends.
To the OP (Reader) we are our own worst critics. Perfection is a difficult goal to put on oneself and will surely take the joy out of everything. There is nothing wrong with trying your best and getting close but please don't strive for perfection every single time, you will make yourself crazy.
But if you are unhappy with the way your seams match up try using elmers washable school glue and you may also wish to do your initial seam at the critical junction (just where they match up not the whole seam) as a basting stitch. Open up your block, make sure everything lines up to your satisfaction then resew over the basting stitch with your normal stitch length for the entire seam. Doing that a few times will surely cure you of that need for perfection!
02-26-2020, 08:05 AM
#34
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 68
When I was in College studying Home Ec. Our professor said to use scan quarter seam allowances on quilting. I couldn't figure it out for a long time. Then it hit me, when the seam is pressed, it takes up about 3 threads, and that equals a scan. Also, when you use lighter weight thread it will change the seams a little bit. I like to use 60 weight thread to 100 weight on heavier fabric for piecing, gives the correct size finished block. On most sewing machine, if you move the needle position one to two position to the right, you will get scan quarter seams.
02-26-2020, 12:05 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Vancouver Island / Arizona
Posts: 458
That is part of what is so great about this board, you can check out what you are doing. I am another that is self taught and you would laugh at some of the mistakes I made but as long as you don't keep making them then you are improving. Please don't stop quilting just because you got a bit confused. It takes courage to admit you were wrong and obviously you have lots of courage. Keep on going. If you have finished 3 quilts since July obviously there are a lot more quilts in your future.
