Quarter Inch Seam
11-03-2011, 02:48 PM
#91
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Posts: 1,490
Originally Posted by wishfulthinking
Searching frantically for my gun! Actually, I had that thought just a little earlier today!
11-03-2011, 02:51 PM
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: WNC
Posts: 659
Originally Posted by KyKaren1949
Dear Wishful Thinking, I have the same problem, often! I try very hard to measure and cut accurately. I have a 1/4" foot too. But then when I sew my blocks together and start adding sashing, they never match perfectly, which drives me crazy. I always have to go back, unsew and resew to get them to line up correctly. When I've asked others why this is happening, they tell me when they cut and sew, it just all falls together right, if you've cut and sewn accurately. I am actually glad to read your post because it makes me feel more normal.
Sometimes I get so discouraged, I just put it all in a box and put it away until I can handle working on it again.
You are not alone and we who struggle also feel your pain!!!
Sometimes I get so discouraged, I just put it all in a box and put it away until I can handle working on it again.
You are not alone and we who struggle also feel your pain!!!
11-03-2011, 04:38 PM
#94
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: dallas tx.
Posts: 5,172
Hi wishful thinking. I think It is harder to see quarter inch seams when we are hand piecing then when we sew on machine. My fingers wander around when I hand piece too. I put a few pins in there and off I go. Good luck!
11-03-2011, 05:00 PM
#96
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,440
I think learning to sew a 1/4 inch seam is in the same category as learning how to drive in the proper lane on the road.
Many of the "modern" machines have a presser foot that "works" instead of buying a special foot - I've found using a piece of graph paper that has the 1/4 inch grids is helpful in "calibrating" where to line up the fabric.
I put the presser foot down so the right edge of the presser foot is right on a line of the graph paper. Then I lower the needle until it punches a hole in the paper - if it hits on the next line to the left, YIPPEE! If not, then I need to adjust either the needle (if it's adjustable) or compensate on how I line the fabric up.
Then after I get things situated, sew consistently - if one has cut consistently, then at least what you're making should turn out to be the same size.
Many of the "modern" machines have a presser foot that "works" instead of buying a special foot - I've found using a piece of graph paper that has the 1/4 inch grids is helpful in "calibrating" where to line up the fabric.
I put the presser foot down so the right edge of the presser foot is right on a line of the graph paper. Then I lower the needle until it punches a hole in the paper - if it hits on the next line to the left, YIPPEE! If not, then I need to adjust either the needle (if it's adjustable) or compensate on how I line the fabric up.
Then after I get things situated, sew consistently - if one has cut consistently, then at least what you're making should turn out to be the same size.
11-04-2011, 03:12 AM
#100
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,410
i had trouble until i purchased a june tailor cutting grid thingy and the martigle(sp) cutter for people with akey hands.....so guess what , it was not the sewing it must have been the cutting. My first clue that it might be my cutting was when i purchased a laser cut kit for a placemat (at a quilt show) and it went together perfectly.
Last edited by SunlitenSmiles; 11-04-2011 at 03:16 AM.
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