Is the 1/4" seam a must for you?
#11
Its such a individual preference. I have yet to come across a quilt pattern that calls for anything more or anything less than a 1/4 or scant 1/4. I have taken the the time to master both and the journey was not always a pleasant one. I always test my block and note the needle setting for each block I make in a quilt. Remember, there are no quilt Police, and we all have our own way of doing things, do what works for you and gives you the results you want.
#13
As long as your seams are concistent you can probably get away with more basic blocks. The problem comes in when you enter a swap. My seams teand to be a true 1/4 in. and not scant and I tend to have blocks that run a little smaller.
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,644
I got "swatted" for being unhappy with a block that was supposed to be 12.5 and it was only 11.75 inches. I also got swatted for when a person sent a pink and blue block and it was supposed to be only yellow, blue, and white.
I do not participate in swaps any more.
I will not fuss if the swap is for 12.5 unfinished black and white blocks as long as the block is approximately (plus or minus 1/8 inch) the expected size and the fabrics used are black and white.
But as far as seam allowances - whatever works for you.
#18
I cut my pieces larger so I can square them up. This allows me to have a larger seam allowance.
How however I am using Accuquilt and my seams have to be an exact 1/4" . It is a bit more tricky but I am getting it down. It is the final out come of the square or pieces that matter. Or as long as your seams are consistent throughout.
How however I am using Accuquilt and my seams have to be an exact 1/4" . It is a bit more tricky but I am getting it down. It is the final out come of the square or pieces that matter. Or as long as your seams are consistent throughout.
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 253
Interesting thoughts from all of you. Doggramma I got a little chuckle when I read your comment. This is exactly what I did when making this quilt top. When my exact scant 1/4" seam wasn't so "exact", I stared at it for a bit, and pondered in my head, do I want to rip this out and do it again, and laziness got the best of me, and I just reinforced it with a second backup line.
I remember watching Genny Doan making her quits and think that her seams look like a healthier size 1/4" seam. Then one time she was a guest on another quilt show, and the quilter had her make a block. When she started sewing it, she said;
You know my 1/4" seams tend to be a little on the generous side. It just makes me feel better. So I remember thinking, I was not alone after all.
I remember watching Genny Doan making her quits and think that her seams look like a healthier size 1/4" seam. Then one time she was a guest on another quilt show, and the quilter had her make a block. When she started sewing it, she said;
You know my 1/4" seams tend to be a little on the generous side. It just makes me feel better. So I remember thinking, I was not alone after all.