Accuracy is needed in quilting from cutting out your fabric pieces to stitching those pieces into blocks. If you are new to quilting, you may not be completely familiar with the essential seam allowance. This is the 1/4″ seam that is required in piecing to construct blocks and piece them into quilt tops. In this post, I’m going to show you how to make sure you are achieving this accurate measurement and how to set up a 1/4″ and other guides if you do not have built in measurements on your machine. So let’s go!
1/4″ Seam
Everything starts here! Patterns will give measurements for cutting pieces for their patterns with the 1/4″ seam included. This is why you will see descriptions like this in a pattern:
- Your completed block will measure 12 1/2 x 12 1/2″ this is the unfinished size. Once pieced into a quilt top, the block will measure 12 x 12″, also referred to as finished size.
Most of today’s sewing machines for quilting will come with a 1/4″ foot. This is mine:
Even if you have a 1/4″ foot, I advise you to test it with a scrap fabric by sewing a seam and then measuring it to verify that it’s actually 1/4″.
If you do not have a 1/4″ foot, (or for some reason it’s not accurate) you can use the throat plate on your machine as a guide. The mark is usually fairly small (see my photo below). You can test to see if this mark is accurate with a tape measure.
I put the needle down into the center of zero line. If you look at where the line is on the throat plate, you can see it matches up with the 1/4″ line on the tape measure. If you are going to use this line and not your foot for accuracy, be sure to test it like above with scrap fabric.
If you want to extend this little line so it’s more visible to you, place a piece of painter’s tape on your machine (photo below), swing the tape measure around (this will only work with a tape measure that’s 1/2″ in width), and draw a line on the painter’s tape next to the tape measure to extend the line from the mark on the throat plate.
Now you can use this line to align pieces you are stitching:
Once again, test this on scrap fabric.
Scant 1/4″ Seam
You’ve seen this in patterns, but what does that mean and why do you want to use that? A scant 1/4″ seam is when you sew a seam with a width that is just a hair UNDER 1/4″. I use this seam when I am piecing half-square triangles together … making half-square triangle squares (HSTs) the old fashioned way and when I am piecing strips for strips sets. These are two unit types that can be trimmed down to the size needed after piecing.
The scant 1/4″ works even if you are chain stitching the pre-cut squares for HSTs. Here’s an example:
In the photo on the left, you can see I placed the drawn line on the square aligned with the right edge of the 1/4″ foot. In the photo on the right, I moved the square a hair to the left so the drawn line was under the right side of the 1/4″ foot. This will give me a seam just a hair under 1/4″. That’s a scant! Once I cut the units apart on the line, I can trim them down to size.
Stitch & Flip
You can also use painter’s tape for stitch & flip, which is adding a smaller square to a larger unit to make a 45 degree corner, used when making blocks like Snowball blocks. Using the tape works whether you have a drawn line on the smaller square or not. The example below shows no drawn line:
The photo above shows the point of the smaller square lined up with the left edge of the painter’s tape. Keep that lined up as you stitch the seam.
Once it’s stitched, flip the small square over to make sure the unit still measures correctly and then cut off the excess fabric in the seam allowance.
If you use any of these guides and test them well, you will have accurate pieced units every time. If you change your thread to a different weight, you might want to test your seam again as thread thickness can effect measurement.
I hope you learned something new or enjoyed this review! Be sure to leave a comment or ask a question below to be entered into the drawing for my pattern, Old Glory Garden.
The drawing will be on Monday, May 19th. Good luck!***We have a winner! Congrats, Debi!***
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
Thanks for the Stitch & Flip idea using the tape. It will save a lot of time. I will try that.
You’re welcome!
Always good to review the importance of an accurate 1/4 inch seams. Thanks for the clever ideas to achieve the proper seam.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for the tips on precise seam allowances. I will try the painter’s tape tip that you suggested. Very good idea, thank you.
Glad you like the idea. Give it a try!😁
Always great tips and reminders of the importance of accurate seams!
You’re welcome!😁
Thanks, if I don’t have a specific 1/4” foot on one of my machines I have used the blue painter tape and it works very well to keep your seams straight and true.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for the tips. Always a lil tricky to get the proper scant 1/4” seam, but worth it to get it right when beginning a new project! Saves frustration into the construction process!!
Accuracy is always the best way to limit frustration!😁
Thanks for the tape tip.
I will definitely try this!
You’re welcome!
Love the painters tape idea. Will definitely use it for my stitch and flip projects
Glad you like that!
Good tip on the corner stitch and flip. Never thought of that. Scant is always subjective as when to use. Thread diameter was never on the radar either.
Thanks for the stitch an flip corner suggestion with the tape. Scant 1/4 is so subjective but I use it often. Thread size I never took into account before.
You’re welcome!
1/4″ stitching is absolutely the hardest skill for me as a NEW quilt maker. I keep trying all of your suggested techniques and I think/hope with additional practice I will feel more at ease. During this learning process, I have produced a few ‘wonky’ blocks. Oops. 🙂
Practice will definitely help!
Thank you for all these great tips! I also like the painters tape for the stitch & flip corners. I think that will save me a lot of headaches! Always look forward to your weekly posts!
You’re welcome!
My machines allows me to move the needle to the right one or two spaces to get a scant 1/4”seam which I use often and it works. My small Viking machine came with a 1/4” foot but the sales person suggested I buy another 1/4” foot because it was easier to use. I found she was right.
That’s another way to get the accurate 1/4” seam if your machine gives you the option. 😁 The key is always test with scrap fabric before starting your project.
I learn something new with every post. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
Great tips as usual. Thanks for your information.