bearisgray

The three strip test really takes only a few minutes to do - glad it worked for you this time.

There are so many variables that can cause size differences in a block. After one finds 'the sweet spot' - it's important to try to continue/maintain what one did for that project. (If one has to put it away before it's done - it's helpful to put a note with the project - stating what ruler one used, where one places the ruler on the fabric like JustAbitCrazy suggested - which by the way, is where I place my ruler when cutting - which sewing machine with what presser foot and what settings, which kind of thread one was using, etc.)

I first learned about the 3-strip 'test' from Mary Ellen Hopkins in her "The It's Okay if You Sit on My Quilt Book"

It's a book I highly recommend.

LilaKay

I have the same machine...I use the 1/4" foot with the flange with the accufeed system and set my stitch width to 6.0 and my stitch length to 2.0. Make sure your needle clears the foot by turning the wheel by hand to test it. When I use these settings my blocks are spot on..

lillybeck

I will no longer use the scant seam. Both times I have used it has been on high quality cotton fabric and both times the seams have frayed so bad in places that it is in need of repair before it is even used. I am trying to figure out how to change things to use a one half inch seam in everything I make. I have decided that adding 1/4 in to each side of a piece will do that. So if I want a 5 inch block I think I would cut it 6 inches to accomplish this.
If someone can give me a better clue I would appreciate it.

bearisgray

Your post has me filled with questions -

* Did you wash/preshrink your fabrics before cutting them? SOME fabrics do shrink a lot and will pull out of a seam.
* How 'scant' are you making your seams?
* Most 'high quality cotton fabric' that I've used has held up very well with 1/4" seams. Even some 'less-expensive' fabrics have held up well.
* How and how much was the item quilted? Or was it tied?
* I do have an older book that uses 1/2 inch seams. It's called "Quilt Like a Pro" by Kaye Wood - original Copyright 1983 and Revised 1989. The illustrations look rather primitively drawn, but it seems to have good information in it.

ghostrider

With bearisgray's permission, I would add another question.

* Are you cutting your pieces on a straight fabric grain, either length or width? All but the very loosely woven fabrics will fray far less if their edges are as close to the grain line (i.e., a single thread running top to bottom) as you can make them. This is true for even the 'bargain brand' woven fabrics.

Fabrics want to look neat and tidy so they try to shed all their 'loose ends' to even up their edges. Once the edges are even, they're happy and they stop fraying.

Also, if the scant business is a problem for you, why not just use a regular quarter inch? Why go to the trouble of trying to increase everything to a half inch? That's too much math for me and I'm a math geek big time. It would also use a lot of fabric that will never be seen, put bulk in the seam joints, be difficult to keep accurate (no ½" foot that I know of), and throw off all the formulas for things like HSTs and setting triangles. Why not try a standard quarter inch seam for awhile and see how you feel? Just a suggestion.

rebeljane

I don't see the sense in scant 1/4" seam, as long as every seam is done the same size it doesn't really matter - just that the overall size of the quilt will be slightly smaller.

SharonBee

I also have a Janome , used the quarter inch foot and all my seams were were too big.Removed the little material guide that was on it and use the edge of the foot as my guide.Perfect 1/4 in seam.

sandy l

I agree. Me and the "scant 1/4" seam" parted company a long time ago. Saves me a lot of grief and frustration and I don't think my quilts look that different.

ralphu

I found this ruler( Perfect Piecing Seam Guide Perfect Scant 1/4" Seam) By Perkins Dry Goods
You use it to move your needle to get a perfect scant it work great!

denveremerson

I feel your pain!! I have a Janome Horizon, and bought the accufeed 1/4" foot. I sew about 10 feet for a 4 patch sashing only to realize that it sewed 3/8" seams. My fault. I should have tested it first. The needle needs to be moved over, way over to give 1/4" seams. Guess what I did for 5 hours yesterday. :-((