Girlfriend

Are you sure it wasn't your cutting? There's only 2 mistakes errors can come from - cutting and/or sewing 1/4". If you are using precuts, never take for granted the error is in the sewing....

It doesn't matter if you are sewing a perfect 1/4" if your cutting is off.

mom-6

My 1/4" foot is wider than 1/4".
My walking foot is also wider than 1/4".
So I know the spot on each that gives me a consistent seam and eyeball it. May not be super accurate but seems to work for me.

Onebyone

Accurate cutting is a given. If you can't cut strips and have them all the same then you will have a problem no seam will fix. I use the Go for 99% of all my block shapes because my manual cutting makes me frustrated. I have the Alto Quilt 2, three sizes of the Shape Cut, and the new Stripology ruler. I still misscut. So it's die cuts for me for the initial cuts. I may use a specialty ruler to sub cut those for the shape I don't have a die for.

KalamaQuilts

pressing before or after can cause shift also.

Dunster's post gets to the crux of the matter. If you are sloppy careless stitcher please do everyone a favor and don't do block swaps.
And that blocks with just one or a few pieces stitched to blocks with more pieces will never match up, regardless of how consistent you are. Quilts are totally based on knowing where the sweet spot is.

quiltingbuddy

I agree with Jan in Va, it really only matters if you're trading blocks with others, but it is really nice to have a true 1/4" seam.

newbee3

I would think even if your I/4 was off and you used the same thru the pieces should match sounds like it might be the cutting

Onebyone

I've tried the consistent any width seam. Doesn't work for me with points.

caspharm

I have a 1/4" foot for my Janome, but I was still having issues with it. I read somewhere that most of them are not really a true 1/4", despite the effort. I started using Bonnie Hunter's seam guide, and have been getting a more accurate 1/4".
I found the difference in end product when I was piecing the mystery BOM I am doing from my LQS. I started with my 1/4" foot and the finished strip sections ended up 1/8" too narrow, so I had to rip them out and resew them. I decided to try the seam guide (you then mark the edge - she suggests a hard edge like a cut up card. I use a Starbucks card) and they were spot on. I still have to watch, but it comes out better than using my 1/4" foot.

Onebyone

I used Bonnie's seam guide too but first you have to find your 1/4" by test sewing, then mark it. I use Command strips. Easy off and no residue.

donac

I just realized that my quarter inch foot is off by a twelfth of an inch for each seam.