Thanks for the advice Vanessa. For your Tip#2, unfortunately not all sewists have computerized machines which allow the operator to move the needle by tiny increments. Those of us with older machines can still obtain accurate 1/4" seam allowances for our patchwork, but we need to do it another way i.e. measuring the [permanent[ needle position to the edge of where the fabric needs to be in order to get a scant 1/4" seam, and then marking the machine bed with something such as a piece of tape, a card, an old magnetic hotel key or membership card or credit card... you get the idea. There are several 'seam guides' out there, such as the one sold/branded by Bonnie Hunter which help with this measuring of needle position vs. fabric edge.
You are BRILLIANT! I have a computerized Singer. It offers TWO straight stitch options...middle and far left. I had heard I should move my needle to the right for an accurate 1/4" seam allowance, but I didn't think I had that option....until YOU! I never realized you could change the setting on the width until YOU did it (DUH!) AND you told me WHERE to set it (6.4). it never mattered how slow or how careful I sewed, I couldn't get it to finish accurately and didn't know how to make adjustments to fix it. Until NOW! How can I ever thank you for sharing your knowledge! Sincerely, all my appreciation!!!!!
Oh my goodness. I have watched so many videos of how to do a scant 1/4 seam. I really never understood it until now. You explained this perfectly and I understand it completely. Thank you so very much!!!!!!!
Oh My Gosh!! All this time I was constantly having problems doing blocks not being correct. I have 3 different feet which all look the same as I kept buying new ones only to watch your video and it was like a lightbulb going on in my head.!! I am going to make my test 3 inch blocks tomorrow.. Thankyou SO much!!
Excellent tutorial Vanessa! I know when I started quilting I didn't know that thread width and fabric fold-over affected the finished quilt block size. You demonstrate this perfectly.
You are soooooo easy to listen to. I absolutely love your instructions and this was much needed information. I am a total beginner quilter. I just subscribed to your channel . Thankyou !!
The lightbulb just lit! I've been trying to figure out how to adjust the position of my needle. It's not even mentioned in the manual. Now I know how to adjust to get accurate squares, especially when each square has a different number of seams! Thank you
Thank you so very much for this video along with all your other videos. I came across you one day as I was looking to refresh some skills after losing my husband 6 years ago and having lost my motivation for sewing. I'm back and am so very enjoying it all again and LOVE LOVE your teaching skills and style, and of course, your crafting skills! Your videos and blog are my go to! And I have my eye on a Juki F-600! Cheers!
I’m fairly new to quilting. I’ve had more inconsistent seams with the 1/4 foot. I just finished a small quilt using my regular foot and moving the needle as you did in this video. The blocks came out perfect
wow!! been quilting for some time. the way you explained everything was GREAT..ive been using a 1/4" foot with guide. now I have to make some samples to be sure it's exact. thanks again. glad I notification for your video. haven't seen you for awhile. THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO.
Great video, thank you. I have been so frustrated that although my seams are 1/4 in. the blocks turn out to be wrong. Glad to know I'm not as incompetent as I thought ( at least on this issue lol ). Thanks again sanity saver.
On my vintage straight stitch only machines moving the needle is not an option. But your detailed explanation of the factors that affect the finished width will make it easy to compensate for them on my machines.
Excellent Vanessa, thank you for this, so clear in what to do, I have a Pfaff sewing machine with a very good 1/4" foot but it is not scant ! now I know what to do with another foot. xx
Another informative tutorial! Like many, I have and use a 1/4" foot. But I've discovered on my particular foot that I can adjust the needle position slightly to achieve a scant seam. My foot also has a wider portion that is 3/8". Again, I can adjust the needle position if I need a scant 3/8" seam. Your tip to jot down machine settings is great! If I'm working on a project with a specific setting, I often take a photo (cell phone) of my settings for easy reference. Once satisfied with settings for a project, I might also make note on the pattern... usually with a sticky note or in pencil. I don't recommend marking a pattern in ink. If you change machines or loan your pattern to a friend, your notes may change.
My first quilt was made on the 1/4" foot. It was so off! I've ditched the foot & prefer the edge of my normal foot instead. Thank you for all your tips!
Thank you! I attempted the Lisa the Unicorn quilt with my little one about a year ago. I ended up short on my measurement after sewing the mane together. I ripped and resewed several times trying to make it work. My quarter inch was always perfect (as was my cutting) and I could not figure out what I did wrong. I finally quit. I will try it again with the scant 1/4!
Hi there. Loved your video. Simple but clear instructions. I am a new quilter and I'm getting my techniques improved but I have a dilemma. I have 3 sizes of squares (2 1/2", 2 3/8", and 2 1/4") as some are sewn well but the cutting wasn't precise, and vice versa. What can I do to remedy this?
great info. . but after quilting for 35 years, I find I do not likd the 1/4" seam allowance, and even more the scant 1 /4" seam. . as long as you are the only one working on the quilt, isn't it more important to be consistant? I find I sew a fat 1/4" seam across the board, and it has worked well for me, and I am more comfortable doing it. I add three clicks to the left of center when sewing seams and use only that machine and thread. Comment please? ??
Patricia Pesta if one strip of a block has more seams than another it will be smaller than the one with fewer seams if your seam allowance is too wide. If every other block is a plain square the plain square will be too big. Your method works well for sewing simple squares for example but not for the block demonstrated in this video.
It is OK to use what seam you are comfortable with but if you are going to follow a pattern, that is when it is of utmost importance to make sure you have a perfect 1/4 inch. As in Vanessa's sample, she was off by 1/8 in. when using a 1/4 inch foot, that would mean by the time you sew 8 of those pieces together, you are off a whole inch! If you have several pieces in a block, it is going to be way too small to match other pieces that quilt may have. If you want to keep consistant with a larger seam, do a sample before cutting out all the quilt pieces so you can cut the pieces larger than you need to accommodate your larger seams. Just have fun!
These days, I'm making a project with FPP. One night I got bored, and decided to play with my feet, and did the same test. I have a 1/4" foot similar to those that come with The Brother/Babylock machine. I tested them against the 1/4" line on the machine . My jaw dropped because of the results. The samples using the foot were a 4MM shorter than the ones using lines. That's was before I even moved the needle. I always suspect that these specific foot isn't accurate, but never to that extent. I wrote this to say Thank you for posting this video, and showing that these feet can be nothing but a waste of time and money. Your 1/4" foot is actually one of the better quality ones, and still the sample wasn't accurate. It is truly a mind breaking moment....
How do you keep fabric on the feed dogs (especially half square triangle points) when sewing a scant 1/4”? I start out straight, but continually pull to the edge some as I reach the end.
This video should be reposted every 6 months! LIFESAVING!!!
So glad I saw this. You’re a natural-born teacher. Gracias!!!
The best explanation on a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Thank you!
Thank you soooo much. You explained why my patches were wonky. Now I can have fun sewing instead of being frustrated.
Great teaching skills. Thank you. This elderly lady really appreciated it. So different than what was taught 60 yrs ago .
This was a great explanation for how to get 1/4 seam and the importance of it! Thank you!
Thanks for the advice Vanessa. For your Tip#2, unfortunately not all sewists have computerized machines which allow the operator to move the needle by tiny increments. Those of us with older machines can still obtain accurate 1/4" seam allowances for our patchwork, but we need to do it another way i.e. measuring the [permanent[ needle position to the edge of where the fabric needs to be in order to get a scant 1/4" seam, and then marking the machine bed with something such as a piece of tape, a card, an old magnetic hotel key or membership card or credit card... you get the idea. There are several 'seam guides' out there, such as the one sold/branded by Bonnie Hunter which help with this measuring of needle position vs. fabric edge.
What a great lesson. I learn something new every time I watch you tutorials. Thanks.
Thank you for helping me understand what a Scant 1/4” meant. It was like a light came on.
Whaaaaat??!! Omg, this is so logical! Fabric has thickness! Wow, this is life changing! Thank you!!
Thank you so much! I was being driven crazy always getting it wrong and not knowing why! Sanity saved x
OMgoodness Vanessa! Thank you SOOOO much for sharing this! I've struggled for years to get this right!
Great tips Vanessa, thanks! The correct scant 1/4" seam allowance makes such a difference for nice points & consistent blocks.
You are BRILLIANT! I have a computerized Singer. It offers TWO straight stitch options...middle and far left. I had heard I should move my needle to the right for an accurate 1/4" seam allowance, but I didn't think I had that option....until YOU! I never realized you could change the setting on the width until YOU did it (DUH!) AND you told me WHERE to set it (6.4). it never mattered how slow or how careful I sewed, I couldn't get it to finish accurately and didn't know how to make adjustments to fix it. Until NOW! How can I ever thank you for sharing your knowledge! Sincerely, all my appreciation!!!!!
What a brilliant video and explanation of a 1/4” / scant 1/4” seam allowance..
Oh my goodness. I have watched so many videos of how to do a scant 1/4 seam. I really never understood it until now. You explained this perfectly and I understand it completely. Thank you so very much!!!!!!!
Oh My Gosh!! All this time I was constantly having problems doing blocks not being correct. I have 3 different feet which all look the same as I kept buying new ones only to watch your video and it was like a lightbulb going on in my head.!! I am going to make my test 3 inch blocks tomorrow.. Thankyou SO much!!
Vanessa, you are such a wonderful instructor! Thank you. I had no idea about the 1/4 " seam. I am a newbie and will be checking mine.
Tip #3 is a game changer, Vanessa. Thanks for sharing, I will play around with my sewing feet and I hope to gain confidence from my findings. ❤️
I’ve struggled what seems like forever get the right 1/4” seam, thank you Vanessa! 💚
Excellent tutorial Vanessa! I know when I started quilting I didn't know that thread width and fabric fold-over affected the finished quilt block size. You demonstrate this perfectly.
Thanks, Vanessa! Clear, easy to follow tutorial with great tips.😊
You are soooooo easy to listen to. I absolutely love your instructions and this was much needed information. I am a total beginner quilter. I just subscribed to your channel . Thankyou !!
The lightbulb just lit! I've been trying to figure out how to adjust the position of my needle. It's not even mentioned in the manual. Now I know how to adjust to get accurate squares, especially when each square has a different number of seams! Thank you
Anybody else say DANNNNNGGG! when it measured exactly 5.5"? Lol, awesome video Vanessa - thank you!!
YES!!!
@@marykowalski7349 glad I'm not the only one!! :)
Thank you so very much for this video along with all your other videos. I came across you one day as I was looking to refresh some skills after losing my husband 6 years ago and having lost my motivation for sewing. I'm back and am so very enjoying it all again and LOVE LOVE your teaching skills and style, and of course, your crafting skills! Your videos and blog are my go to! And I have my eye on a Juki F-600! Cheers!
I’m fairly new to quilting. I’ve had more inconsistent seams with the 1/4 foot. I just finished a small quilt using my regular foot and moving the needle as you did in this video. The blocks came out perfect
Still the best quilt instructor out there. Thanks, gal!
Boy am I glad I watched this before I start my first quilt tomorrow! Thanks for the video
Thank you so much for this video. I had been struggling with a new machine. Tried this and problem solved. 🙏
You are amazing! You are my favorite teacher.
From this crafty Gemini to The Crafty Gemini, I thank you. Now I get it. Finally. This was very informative!
I now understand WHAT went wrong on a quilt I made that had many pieces! GREAT VISUAL & LESSON!
It's GEMINI season! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!🦋💃
Thank you!!
VANESSA!!!!!!!! So scantily specific!!!
THANK YOU!!!!! I am sold on your teaching!!!
I’ve been quilting several years... and never heard these tips! 😊 Tks!
Great tip Vanessa, will be making my sample piece this morning 👍
Awesome! Have fun!
Great job Vanessa! We know this will help so many quilters. Also, happy that you are enjoying your JUKI!
Wow, I had no idea about thread thickness!
As always, good tips.
Great tips, I never realized how much of a difference thread could make in the overall outcome of your blocks finished size! 👍
wow!! been quilting for some time. the way you explained everything was GREAT..ive been using a 1/4" foot with guide. now I have to make some samples to be sure it's exact. thanks again. glad I notification for your video. haven't seen you for awhile. THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO.
Thank you for the tip! I wish I had known this years ago 🤷🏻♀️
So neat and precise. Thank you so very much.
Great video, thank you. I have been so frustrated that although my seams are 1/4 in. the blocks turn out to be wrong. Glad to know I'm not as incompetent as I thought ( at least on this issue lol ). Thanks again sanity saver.
This explains SOOOOOOO much. Thank you Vanessa! I'm just starting with some simple quilting patterns and pieces, and this is extremely helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
OMG this is an awakening video. Thank you Vanessa.... one of the best videos ever!!!!
Great tips!!! Thx again for the DX-5 tute. Every time I sew, I love this machine more and more!!!! Heavenly!!!!!!!
On my vintage straight stitch only machines moving the needle is not an option. But your detailed explanation of the factors that affect the finished width will make it easy to compensate for them on my machines.
Wow! That is SO helpful! Here's me thinking I need the 1/4" foot, I will try without . You forget about thread and fold! Thanks Vanessa.
That is the best lesson ever! Thank you so much 💓.
Thank you so much. I’m learning and this makes so much more sense. 🤯. Never thought about the thread width, I was only measuring the seam. 🤦🏼♀️
My 1/4" foot allows me to move my needle over but still ensures a straight, consistent seam with the little "edge guide". Best of both ideas.
fantastic info and explained so well, never had it explained this way before. it makes so much sense . thanks Vanessa.
This is so helpful!!!!! Works great for all types of sewing ☺️ thank you 🙏
Excellent Vanessa, thank you for this, so clear in what to do, I have a Pfaff sewing machine with a very good 1/4" foot but it is not scant ! now I know what to do with another foot. xx
Another informative tutorial! Like many, I have and use a 1/4" foot. But I've discovered on my particular foot that I can adjust the needle position slightly to achieve a scant seam. My foot also has a wider portion that is 3/8". Again, I can adjust the needle position if I need a scant 3/8" seam.
Your tip to jot down machine settings is great! If I'm working on a project with a specific setting, I often take a photo (cell phone) of my settings for easy reference. Once satisfied with settings for a project, I might also make note on the pattern... usually with a sticky note or in pencil. I don't recommend marking a pattern in ink. If you change machines or loan your pattern to a friend, your notes may change.
Thanks for the concise explanation on the 1/4” scant allowance “fix!”
My first quilt was made on the 1/4" foot. It was so off! I've ditched the foot & prefer the edge of my normal foot instead. Thank you for all your tips!
What a great video! thank you! I will follow your instructions today!
Amazing!!! I never knew this and always have issues. THANK YOU!!!!
Glad to help!
Thank you soooo much for this video tutorial. Very helpful for me.
Nice tips Sis...Looks awesome.....Thanks for sharing these great ideas
Excellent explanation of how to do this correctly! Thanks!
Thank you. I have so much problem getting my blocks to match. Will try this💕
Vanessa thanks so much for this video I did this today and for the first time my blocks were correct
Thank you! I just purchased the juki f 600 . I was not getting accurate seams with the piecing foot. Thanks for this great tutorial
Thank you for this video. I actually just tried and figured out my 1/4 seam was a little off as your video shows. Thank you for this tip.
Glad it helped you! Happy quilting!
Great information and very well explained. Thank you!
Thanks so much. I am learning to quilt. That too will be very helpful. Can't wait to do a test on my machine.
Excellent teaching. Thank you.
Excellent tips. Thank you so much for sharing.
Mischief managed! Great explanation, Vanessa. Wish i’d known this when i started, i could have saved a couple of projects.
Your block looks perfect! Great tutorial.
Thank you!!! Thank You!!😋 Praise The Lord!!!
great tips! perfect for beginners.
Got it😃. Yesssssss works like a charm Vanessa😍 Thank you as always for making things on point🤩😍
Thank you! I attempted the Lisa the Unicorn quilt with my little one about a year ago. I ended up short on my measurement after sewing the mane together. I ripped and resewed several times trying to make it work. My quarter inch was always perfect (as was my cutting) and I could not figure out what I did wrong. I finally quit. I will try it again with the scant 1/4!
Wonderful tutorial. Very well explained.
Wonderful presentation, and SO helpful!
Thank you. Explained well. You have come such a long way since I first watched you. Congratulations ♥
Thank you! You are a GREAT TEACHER!!
Thank you thank you, no one ever explained it as well as you.:)
Again this video was awesome, thank you very much. Roseline, Québec
Best explanation I've seen/heard! TFS
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi there. Loved your video. Simple but clear instructions. I am a new quilter and I'm getting my techniques improved but I have a dilemma. I have 3 sizes of squares (2 1/2", 2 3/8", and 2 1/4") as some are sewn well but the cutting wasn't precise, and vice versa. What can I do to remedy this?
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I can quit beating myself up because I'm not getting my seams to match up. 😊🌹
Excellent, tfs. Everyone needs to view this.
You are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your talent!
Your tips are so helpful! Thank you again!
great info. . but after quilting for 35 years, I find I do not likd the 1/4" seam allowance, and even more the scant 1 /4" seam. . as long as you are the only one working on the quilt, isn't it more important to be consistant? I find I sew a fat 1/4" seam across the board, and it has worked well for me, and I am more comfortable doing it. I add three clicks to the left of center when sewing seams and use only that machine and thread. Comment please? ??
Patricia Pesta if one strip of a block has more seams than another it will be smaller than the one with fewer seams if your seam allowance is too wide. If every other block is a plain square the plain square will be too big. Your method works well for sewing simple squares for example but not for the block demonstrated in this video.
It is OK to use what seam you are comfortable with but if you are going to follow a pattern, that is when it is of utmost importance to make sure you have a perfect 1/4 inch. As in Vanessa's sample, she was off by 1/8 in. when using a 1/4 inch foot, that would mean by the time you sew 8 of those pieces together, you are off a whole inch! If you have several pieces in a block, it is going to be way too small to match other pieces that quilt may have. If you want to keep consistant with a larger seam, do a sample before cutting out all the quilt pieces so you can cut the pieces larger than you need to accommodate your larger seams. Just have fun!
Thank you so much Vanessa
These days, I'm making a project with FPP. One night I got bored, and decided to play with my feet, and did the same test. I have a 1/4" foot similar to those that come with The Brother/Babylock machine. I tested them against the 1/4" line on the machine . My jaw dropped because of the results. The samples using the foot were a 4MM shorter than the ones using lines. That's was before I even moved the needle. I always suspect that these specific foot isn't accurate, but never to that extent. I wrote this to say Thank you for posting this video, and showing that these feet can be nothing but a waste of time and money. Your 1/4" foot is actually one of the better quality ones, and still the sample wasn't accurate. It is truly a mind breaking moment....
BTW, I have a Juki G 110, and I press my seams open with a dry iron...
I have a new pattern that I'm going to use this new information with - thanks again
Hope all is going well with the new shop.
Perfect explanation!
Thanks for this so informative and now know where I have been going wrong
How do you keep fabric on the feed dogs (especially half square triangle points) when sewing a scant 1/4”?
I start out straight, but continually pull to the edge some as I reach the end.
Thank you for this video. I struggle every time.
Great Information. Thanks.
Great video! 💡
Game changer! Thanks!!!