1/4" seams, why & how? Please help!
08-07-2013, 05:12 PM
#51
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: AR/NM
Posts: 358
Originally Posted by ema521
I'm using the 100% cotton "quilting fabric" from Hancock's & other such stores. I think it was my stitch length & that my 1st "1/4 inch" was actually about 5/8 & my 2nd "1/4 inch" was about 1/8 and too close to the edge. I think I've finally got this thing figured out!
I'm also checking this 1/4 inch each time I sit down to sew now just in case my magnetic guide gets bumped or my needle position gets switched or something.
I'm also checking this 1/4 inch each time I sit down to sew now just in case my magnetic guide gets bumped or my needle position gets switched or something.
08-07-2013, 05:58 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada; Florida in the winter
Posts: 721
I'm wondering if the edges of your seam are exactly together. If one of the edges is in a bit, (usually the underneath layer) then that particular edge will not be sewn at 1/4 inch.......it may be 1/8 inch or even less and I can see that edge pulling out. I try and make sure I can see the bottom layer of the seam a miniscule amount past the upper layer. Then I know for sure I've caught it at the proper 1/4 inch.
08-07-2013, 08:43 PM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Owensboro, KY
Posts: 1,420
There is a little plastic device you use to determine were 1/4 inch will be. It's called a sewing machine seam guide. Just Google it in Google images to see what one looks like. I think I bought several at Wal-Mart within the past six months. It has a little hole which you place your sewing machine needle in and then it will measure over for you to where the 1/4 inch line (seam) should be. You can either buy a 1/4 inch foot for your sewing machine that has a blade for you to place your fabric against, or you can buy some Dr. Scholl's moleskin pad and cut a length of that to place on your machine's surface. It will work the same way.
08-07-2013, 09:25 PM
#54
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The other Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 1,913
I taught some young girls to quilt one summer. The way we "managed" our 1/4" seams was to measure from the needle to the outside 1/4" and put down some masking tape or painters tape along that edge. Many machine actually have a line on the plate that is 1/4". The tape really trained our eyes and hands to make sure that both layers of fabric were sliding along that edge. Good luck and here's wishing you many years enjoying this wonderful hobby. Also welcome to the board!
08-07-2013, 11:09 PM
#55
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Blue Mountains, Australia.
Posts: 152
08-08-2013, 02:36 PM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Campton,Kentucky
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by ema521
So I am very new to quilting and having this seam problem. I have finished my 1st quilt which is bassinet size- 20" x 30" approx. On it, I didn't really understand where 1/4" was on my machine & so I actually ended up with about 3/8"- 1/2" seams. After re-cutting a few pieces, I made it work. Now, on my 2nd I'm trying to do 1/4"seams & they tend to want to pull out. Is there a reason I can't just re-figure my cut sizes & use a bit wider seam? Any suggestions to fix this? Thanks to all for any help!
08-08-2013, 08:37 PM
#57
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Blue Mountains, Australia.
Posts: 152
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