The Sewing Place

Scant 1/4" seam

rubywishes

Scant 1/4" seam
« on: July 02, 2017, 08:08:10 AM »
So can anyone tell me how much a "scant" is?  I read about it time and time again and wonder if my current oopsie can be classed as "scant" and therefore of no concern.  -<
 After battling trying to keep my fabric feeding in a straight line for most of the afternoon I've finally fixed the problem (operator error of course) but as a result my seams on close examination are just under a 1/4"...measuring just on or under 6mm. Now the difference between this seamline and a true 1/4" equates to about the width of my thread. Should I (a) unpick the wretched lot and re-sew (b) run a second line of stitching alongside the first, or (c)  not worry? I'm worried with option (a) that I may stretch or damage my fabric edges and am thinking that (b) would be preferable both in time and fabric care but I don't want to do anything if I don't have to. This quilt is to be a gift.
Juki TL2010Q, Juki DX7,  Singers: 1917 27K treadle (aka Gertie), 1957 99k (aka Vincent), 1951 99k knee lever (aka Shirley), 1950 99k handcrank (aka Alice), 1927 28K (aka Dora), 1947 201K treadle with motor conversion (aka Livvy)
....and the dusting and vacuming can wait!

Syrinx

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2017, 08:12:49 AM »
That's absolutely fine and can leave it as is. As long as they're roughly the same you won't notice.

Personally I do scant seams at around 1/8th" but I like small seams and I'm good at straight lines. Anywhere between 1/8th and 1/4" is scant, they just have to match so all pieced in that block are the same sa or very close so your edges and points match up in the right places.

:)

Efemera

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2017, 08:47:14 AM »
Scant 1/4 is just under a 1/4 ...it doesn't matter as  long as all your seams are consistent.

wrenkins

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2017, 09:06:48 AM »
I think the reason for doing scant, ie a smidge under a quarter, is to allow for when you fold the sa. There will be a teeny amount of loss in the fold of the fabric so the "scant" compensates for that. My blocks are always smaller than they should be as I struggle with scant. I need to practice more.
As has already been said, it doesn't matter as long as you are consistant.
Harbouring resentment is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die!

BrendaP

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2017, 09:13:58 AM »
Scant 1/4" means less than a 1/4" but more than 3/16" .

I'd say that 6mm instead of 6.35mm is a pretty good 'scant 1/4 inch' as you say, just about the thickness of your thread.

Sewing 'scant quarter inch seams' means that when the fabric is folded at the seam and the tiny bit that goes into the fold gets added to the seam alllowance so that the total comes to 1/4".  So, for example, if you have accurately cut nine 2.5" x 2.5" squares and joined them together to make a 9-patch block the middle square finished will be exactly 2" x 2".
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Lyn-J

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2017, 09:19:56 AM »
What an informative topic, I didn't know the precise definition of scant.

I've always taken that to mean no more than a 1/4".

rubywishes

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2017, 09:35:50 AM »
Thanks everyone, most appreciated.
Juki TL2010Q, Juki DX7,  Singers: 1917 27K treadle (aka Gertie), 1957 99k (aka Vincent), 1951 99k knee lever (aka Shirley), 1950 99k handcrank (aka Alice), 1927 28K (aka Dora), 1947 201K treadle with motor conversion (aka Livvy)
....and the dusting and vacuming can wait!

Iminei

Re: Scant 1/4" seam
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2017, 07:31:13 AM »
Whenever you are piecing using a 1/4 seam you will, unless you are trying especially hard, be sewing at whatever you and your machine sews as a 1/4" seam .... as long as this is consistent everything will be fine!

Relax and throw that quick unpick away!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again