How to Consistently Get a 1/4" Seam Allowance |
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Are your blocks coming out a different size than what you expect, even though you are POSITIVE you accurately measured your fabric when you cut? It could be a result of an improper seam allowance! Not all 1/4" seams are created equal, and can vary from project to project, quilter to quilter, and machine to machine. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your machine when you begin a project with new materials so you know EXACTLY where to feed your fabric to get that true quarter inch result! In this video, I share with you my tips & tricks for fine-tuning my machine to produce the right seam allowance.
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Email: becca@sewbecca.com
Instagram: / sewbecca
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#sewbecca #sewingtutorial #seamallowance
Want to pick up the Stilletto I used in this video? You can grab one here: shrsl.com/3qrdp
Thank you Becca. I know this is a video about sewing skills but when you said “ Finished is better than perfect”, I almost wanted to cry. That’s so true, to the sewing project and life as well. I will remember that. Thank you again for your video.
Absolutely! Give yourself some grace - with your seam allowances and other areas of life! I think we tend to be a little more hard on ourselves than we would be with others!
I love this video. People let perfection keep them from making beautiful things. Great video Becca!
You know, I struggled with that for a LONG time. The thought of making things perfect prevented me from even starting...then, for a while, it prevented me from finishing things I started. So, I just keep reminding myself that 'finished is better than perfect'. And, the more I finish, the closer I'll get to being 'perfect'.
@@sewbecca "sew" true....makes me almost anxious....I appreciate hearing that others struggle with this as it gives me strength to go forward and start to sew!
Another awesome and valueable video. Thank you Becca! You da best.
You are so welcome!
Great lesson for those just starting quilting but also for those of us who've been quilting a while but have been getting sloppy about the accuracy of our seams.
Hello Susan
Thank you!! And God bless! ❤
Hi Becca, i think you are great n your style of teaching is wonderful... I m new at quilting n i m like a empty sponge just waiting to get better.... i also just joined your team i m searching for updated classes.... Can you please post when you are on a new series.... Again THANK YOU, Betty
This was one of the best videos on getting that 1/4” seam. Taking the time to do this is so worth it in the end! Thanks Becca! ❤
Great job Becca. It took me while to get that 1/4 inch on my machine your tips were great.
Thanks, Connie!
Hello, how are you doing my friend
Good Video, very clear. I think more important than perfect 1/4" - is consistent seam allowance. Use the tools available, like tape markings etc.... but just sew the same seam for each block and that will cause less trouble when trying to piece it all together. Yes its something you can practice, but cut those pinked edges off to start, otherwise that might through you off, draw a bunch of lines 1/4" apart on scrap fabric and sew as many times as you can, and you will get hand / eye co-ordination. I actually think that Just Get It Done Quilts has the best idea to build a tape ledge, then the edge of the fabric hits that ledge and can't go past it unless you go too fast, you will be spot on each time. Other flat markings with washi help but you can easily move over them, the ledge is the best option. Is your needle set to the side, it might be easier if you set your needle position to the center, so the stitch line sits in the gap in the foot, then your eyes won't be thrown off, as they would naturally line up with that center gap in the foot (even if you are trying not to look at the needle) our eyes just naturally are drawn to markings like that, then also the 1/4" marking on the throat plate will line up. For those who want to quilt a lot, I think the 1/4" is worth practicing, just makes it easier to put together, but I totally agree finished is better than perfect, no one is perfect ;)
BEST VIDEO I'VE FOUND ON THIS! GREAT EXPLANATION FOR UNDERSTANDING EASILY!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Kim
Becca, I gave a thumbs up and watched all of the commercials. ☺️ I wish you lived in my neighborhood - I would be at your house everyday! You are great and keep up these wonderful sewing lessons.
Awww thanks!!!
Hi, how are you doing my friend?
@@barbarabaker346 Me too wish she was my neighbour
“Done is better than perfect because perfect is never done.”
Thank you for the tips. I struggle with the 1/4” even with a presser foot with a guide on it. I’m now to the point of adding my sashing and I discovered my squares kept getting smaller and smaller as I went along lol. So either I’m pushing too hard against the guide or the guide has moved lol. I think I need to move my needle over just a tad.
That should help some!
Truly excellent tutorial. I'm a beginning quilter and vacillate between requiring perfection of myself and trying to let go a bit. Your video showed a way to kind of be both! Thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
I just learned how to quilt and this just changed the entire game. I have been sewing with a 10 mm seam allowance because I didn't know where a 1/4 was. Thank you for helping me!
Thank you Becca, you make me feel better and I want to get better. you are so smart and helpful!
Happy to help!
Hi Nancy
Just found your UA-cam. I am all in because you have answer my problem. I could not understand why my blocks was not measuring up right. I thought I was moving my fabric to much. It was that I was using half of the fee dogs, using the far left side not the right side. Now using the far right. Thank you so much.
I'm so happy that helped!
Hey Penny, how are you doing ?
This was my first time watching and I enjoyed the turorial. Easy to understand and so helpful. Nicely done!
Excellent video Becca! I like how you anticipate the questions or issues a newbie might have. I think we all struggle with that elusive quarter inch and you gave some great tips, especially the one about trying to keep as much fabric as possible in contact with the feed dogs, that's something people don't always consider. I think you have a winner with this series! 👍👍
Thanks, MJ!
Wonderful tips! I use an index card to line up my needle. Lots of 1/4" lines to go by.
That's a great idea!
@@sewbecca And you can poke holes into it and not hurt your needle.
Thank you so much for this video. It was informative and encouraging. I sewed my first seam on my first quilt and the seam did not come out to be 1/4 in so I wanted to give up. So now I’m ready to get back the machine. You’re the bomb!
Katrina
Glad it was helpful!
This is the best tutorial on getting a consistent 1/4” seam that I’ve found. Thank you, Becca!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this video Becca! You have a very engaging teaching style and I’m now off to learn some more from your other videos! I’m a n enthusiastic beginner learning to quilt on a 1935 machine!
This was one of the best tutorials I have ever seen. Good job. Well done. Hip Hip Horray. 👍😀💖Miss Gloria.
Thank you for such a wonderful detailed explanation of how to get an accurate quarter inch seam.
You are so welcome!
Becca, you are a great teacher! Thank you!
Oh thank you!
Hello Susan
Great video !
My comments:
- It is not always about “knowing your machine”; the seam allowance size depends also on the thickness of the fabric, the size of the needle and the thickness of the thread used.
- Sometimes the patchwork size changes a little bit based on how it was pressed/ironed because the stretch of the fabric.
- Even the seam allowance is not a perfect 1/4 inch, as long as is consistent throughout the whole quilt blocks it won’t create a problem; at the end, everything will match.
Happy Quilting 🤗❤️😀
All good points!!!
I have enjoyed watching this and now, I will go and practice this method. I think I will draw lines for awhile until I get use to my machine. Thanks for the great advice. Glad that I found your channel.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Cindy
Great lesson Becca. You're such a good teacher.
Thank you! 😃
Hi Teresa
Becca I like your hair longer. Thanks for sharing this video. Great tips for 1/4 inch seams. I tried the 1/4 pressure foot. Forget that I forgot I had it on there and tried to do a zig zag stitch. I broke my needle and I have numb hands and trying to put a new needle in and I took the plate off because I was having trouble it would not get under to get it put in. The needle fell inside. I took it to get it out with a repairman. He cleaned it and got it out and $100 later. He told me not to use the metal bobbins. Its a singer professional I have two singer machines and a hello kitty janome and they came with one of those machine, he said the make a groove in something.
Well good thing about hair is it can grow back after you chop it all off. 🤣
Hello Donna
All makes since thank you
Hi Pauline
Thank you for the kindness. Finished is better than perfect. I REALLY needed that. ❤
You got this!!
Guess what I finished my 2nd of my 4 quilts I'm trying to get done b4 Christmas thanks to your finished is better than perfect
I'm so happy I found you! You're a wonderful teacher!
Great lesson. I’ve never thought about the feed dogs tip. Many thanks!
Another excellent teaching video. Your instructions are so simple and easy to understand. Thanks for all the help for us newbies
Aww, thanks! I love making these!
Great video for someone just learning. Or otherwise, Also great explanations on marking quarter-inch seams. I argee at the end of the project.A finished piece is so worth all of the work. put into making something rather than perfection. something we all strive to have. But not necessary, a completed project is more important. Thank you for your time and effort.
Thanks for watching, Marion!
This video was so helpful - I didn’t realize all the different 1/4” there are!!! Thanks so much for doing this video 😊
Glad it was helpful!
So glad I found you! I am a long time sewer & am learning new things. 😊
Welcome!!
Wow you got a scientific answer for the art works
Thank you so so much for making this video. The area I live has no basic sewing skills classes and I have been trying to teach myself with You Tube Videos,. Not easy finding videos that explain what & why your doing what your doing that makes sense. Trying to just find basic skills like getting a straight line and perfect seam allowances has been difficult. What you said made perfect sense to me and a light bulb went off. You explained it so well. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Great tip
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for “finished is better than perfect!!!!”
You bet!
Great content in this video, Becca! Thank You!
Great video.
Hello, how are you doing my friend
Thank you for your excellent, clear, easy to understand instructions! I am a new quilter and starting my first project. You have a great logo. It will become my mantra! Finished IS better than perfect! You are a great teacher! 😊
Glad it was helpful!
This video was so simple and easy for me to understand! Being a novice sewer I make plenty of mistakes and trying to sew a consistently straight edge has been hard for me to do. Thanks for using that little pointer tool also to show us exactly where/what you were referring to. :)
You're quite welcome - glad it helped!!
This video helped me so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Best informative video I have seen on the quarter inch. I'm going to try this today. As I cut exact but sew together don't work now I try this. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Thank you for the great tip on needle adjustment. I have tried the tape, etc. This is just what I need. 😊
Glad it helped!
Hi cinf
You are a FABULOUS TEACHER!! Thank you!!
Wow, thank you!
Thank you!
You are a wonderful instructor. Teaching seems so natural for you and I really enjoyed your video/tutorial.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for showing me what I was doing wrong. I am about to start a new project so will set my machine up correctly.
Glad I could help!
Thank your for such a wonderful tutorial! You have explained that beautifully.
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful
Hola love the way you explain the 1/4 “ Seam allowance and new quilting.
Wonderful! I’m glad this was helpful!!!
Thank you . This really helps
Glad it helped!
Hello Jackie
thank you, this is great info. I'm going to do the test as soon as I am done watching. I'm at odds with an instructor over this. I like adjusting the needle, she likes the 1/4 foot. And I always wondered which side of the "pinked edge" was the actual edge.
Your tips here are great. I use a tiny ruler made for figuring out where the needle needs to be for a 1/4” seam. I have 1/4” presser feet with guides for all my machines, but none of them are really accurate. I still have to adjust my needle position. Thanks for reminding me to do it again on my next project! Just found your site, and look forward to more tutorials.
I'm glad this was helpful! As a new Quilter, I kept measuring one 1/4" away from the raw edge of my fabric and never understood why my blocks would end up short. The more seams I had to take to get the block, the worse it was. This method taught me where the needled needed to be to compensate for the threads I'm adding to the quilt block!
I JUST realized why I always nail the 1/4” on my single stitch Baby Lock and always struggle on my Bernina…it’s the FEED DOG CONNECTION! I never moved my Bernina foot to the right to get better contact with all the feed dogs, but of course, on the Baby Lock, it’s just made that way. Thank you for solving a 20’ish year-old puzzle.
Hmm I struggle with 1/4 inch because the fabric shifts left and end up with 1/8 inch at the bottom. Im using an old kenmore. Was that your problem?
Great video. I learned quite a bit from this today. Thank you ❤
I ❤️ finished is better than perfect rule!!!
This was a great tutorial thank you so much 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Hi carol
Thanks for the great tips. Very informative and very insightful! Thanks
Thank you! This makes sense!
You know...this should be so obvious and yet, not so! Thank you very much for great explanation and visuals!
I kept getting different size "squares" at the end (when sewing little squares together) and couldn't figure out why they didn't match!?
I made wider seam allowances, narrower seam allowance and still... the results were not "square". NOW I know why.
Thanks again :-)
I’m glad this was helpful!!
Thank you for the great tips on a quarter inch seams. I never knew there was so much to it. With you and YvetteRene I have two reasons to come out with a great first quilt. Just to let you know I love your videos.🙃❤️🥰🥀
Thank you! ❤️🥰
Omgosh! Thank you so much. This video helped immensely. I found out I needed to adjust my needle. I just couldn't figure out what was wrong with ME! Why couldn't I see a 1/4". I'm trying to learn to follow patterns and had just about decided to give up. Thank you so much 💓
You are so welcome!
Great video Becca. Your Explanation is so clear and very professional. Thank you.
Thank you!
Thanks for your tips Becca. I know when sewing I tend to veer off at the end so I have to be aware of that. Sometimes I sew a quarter inch and sometimes I don't but as long as I'm consistent in a project it tends to work out. I do wish the needle on my machine moved over but on my newer machine it doesn't. Drives me crazy!
Right! I have a couple machines where I can’t move the needle and it makes me soooo sad!
Angela Stoutenger Suggestion - Use an Ender which is nothing but two scrap pieces of fabric. It will help to keep you from veering off
Linda Sikorski Thanks for the tip. I usually use a leader but will have to try that with an ender too. Great tip!
Hello Angela
Very helpful, thank you!
Love the video, and very helpful, my 1/4 in seams are always a struggle!
I’m glad you found it helpful!!
I loved your lessons. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Thank you
Welcome!!
Thanks
Great video! I’m a newbie and found this very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
This is a great tutorial. Thank you for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
I can get a true and good quarter inch when I'm sewing until I reach the end of whatever piece I'm sewing together and suddenly it becomes like 3/4 of an inch on the last piece of that material probably using a stiletto would stop that
Same here it just goes wonky at the end of the seam.
Love your lessons. Enjoy sewing, is my thinking.
Thank you, Gloria!
This is excellent!! My trouble with precuts is knowing which point of the pinked edges to use - the outside or inside of the points. Anyone??
It depends on the manufacturer, sadly. My best advice is to measure one piece in the pack to know if the outside of the edges are directly at the pre-cut size, or if it's the inside of the pinked edges. :(
@@sewbecca Thanks!!
Very clear. I really liked this video!
Glad to hear it!
My problem occurs when using précuts are pinked. Some manufacturers measure from the outside peaks, others from inside valleys. I like jordan fabrics as they are always straight edged. Cutting strips myself is not always accurate. Thanks for telling me to watch where the needle is going and keeping the fabric straight. You gave great tips.
For cutting strips - I've heard marvelous things about the Stripology ruler! Helps with exactly this issue. :)
First time watching. You are great teaching. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Love your videos. I always learn so much!
Glad you like them!
Thank you ,thank you, thank you!! I just got my machine and it does not have a marking for 1/4 inch. I was trying yo figure out what I needed to do. I am new to sewing, and your explanation of this was incredible! I have it now and I am so happy I found your video! I am definitely subscribing to your channel!!
Glad I could help!
Great info I use seam tape. Kathy Hertenstein
Wonderful!
Becca THANK YOU so much for taking the time to help explain that was my problem now I think I've got it x
Hello, how are you doing my friend?
Thank you!
You're welcome!
May want to mention that when you press your fabric, that you do not introduce water, steam or starch, which could shrink your fabric.
This is great information
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Becca it looks like your thread wraps around your needle? That happens on my Janome S7 and I don't know why? Do you know why it might be happening? Love your videos, very informative and easy to understand. Thank you 💜
It happens to me sometimes when I cut my thread. Not sure why that happens, but I usually just put it back where it needs to go and I’m all good.
Hi Becca! Have just recently found your channel and I love your videos! Great advice given very clearly that I can understand and benefit from. I love your sewing chair! Have one just like it! LOL. I am thinking of buying a new machine. What kind do you have?🥰
Hi Carol! Thanks SO much for the compliments! I have a few Babylock machines - my workhorse is a Babylock Aria, and I love it. Although, I'm not a brand snob - you have to find a machine that works for you that you can understand! My best advice is to TEST DRIVE the machine before you buy it! Any machine dealer will be able to help you do that. :)
Thanks Becca!
Hello Carol
I'm having trouble with this very small doll clothes? Any tips? Help with be greatly appreciated 😢
Becca can you share where you got that awesome stiletto!!
I believe it was a gift, you can buy one here: shrsl.com/3qrdp
Thank you Becca. You think you should make it a scant 1/4 to make it work for exact measurement?
Yes. A scant amount 1/4” works best
Hello Donna
I use painters blue masking tape, and mark off the quarter inch on my machine. What machine do you sew on? I am looking at upgrading mine. Also, looking at changing out my iron, any recommendations?
For sewing machine, my work horse is a Babylock Aria. I love it!
Irons: I’ve heard Rowenta is good, I’ve used them in the past. My current favorite is the Oliso Pro, and I use the Oliso Mini for small projects like blocks
I was just at a Babylock dealer on Tuesday, played a little on the Soprana, looked at the Aria, but I didn't have time to play on it. I am also looking at a Bernina 570qe. Thanks for mentioning some iron brands for me!!!
Hello, how are you doing my friend
What kind of machine do you have Becca?
Hi Lawanda - I have a Babylock Aria!
Hello, how are you doing my friend?
Awesome info.thanks a bunch you should have been a teacher!!! lol
I almost was! ;)
Hi Linda
Hey, Becca... My wife watches you a lot and she had this video on the other day and was taken by your ‘pointing’ tool...!!! What is it and where did you get it from...??!!
Hi Thaddeus! First - tell your wife thanks for watching!
Where did you get your pointer thing you use in this video?
@kerie emery Search for quilting stiletto-she maybe using the Tula Pink one : www.fatquartershop.com/6-inch-stiletto-tula-pink-hardware?gclid=Cj0KCQiAwf39BRCCARIsALXWETzBU1ccA7zQqm5a5DN3c1UD7UtKyqKRIG22xdHh5dk8f70HP4dJ0CYaAutGEALw_wcB
24:06 An orb can be seen in the video. Great Video Too
I think that's probably dust from all the fabric I had on my sewing machine. Maybe?
For the life of me, I can’t figure out how this can be so difficult for people. 🤷🏼♀️