Scant 1/4" seam

[Ploshkin]

I think I mentioned elsewhere that my Pfaff 1/4" foot does a very accurate scant 1/4" seam.
This is all the trimmings I had from 32 four patches for the mystery quilt - they are all 4 1/2" square.

[b15erk]

That's pretty good Plosh!  Which Pfaff do you have?  Mine is an old girl now 1475 CD, but I wouldn't part with her for anything.

Jessie

[Lantana]

Right that's it! I'm off to look for a Pfaff! Mind you it'd be cheaper to try sticking tape on my machine (a Janome, the 1/4 foot is NOT a scant) or to keep away from things that need to be sewn that precisely!

L

[Ploshkin]

Jessie, it's a Pfaff Ambition.  When I bought it the dealer wasn't able to give me a discount so he gave me 2 years free servicing and a free foot.  I must have been thinking straight for once when I chose the ¼" foot.

[Lilian]

I don't have a 1/4" foot for any of my machines. What I have found really useful is the magnets from the back of shopping note pads, the sort you stick to the fridge.  They are long and not too thick, works a treat.  I did buy a proper one but it is too thick and not long enough especially for the modern machines that have less metal on them. 

[Lantana]

Sounds like a good idea Lilian but I'm a bit wary of using magnets around computerised machines. Maybe I'm being too fussy?

L

[Lilian]

I understand what you mean Lantana, it did bother me when I bought the proper one, to use on my computerized machine, but it doesn't seem to do any damage.  I suppose you need to keep it away from the motor side.  I've had no problems with it. Tape always left a sticky patch so I changed to this. 

Note to myself:  get a 1/4" foot.

[rubywishes]

Yep, I've always wondered whether a magnet is a good idea to have around a computerised machine.
I use about half a dozen layers of painters' tape as a guide..it's cheap from the hardware shop and doesn't leave residue when I replace it.

[Iminei]

Well done Plosh...That's exactly the amount of trimmings you are meant to be left with!

Post it notes!
.... a wodge of post it notes stuck to form a barrier at the scant 1/4" mark (or whichever measure you want for that matter) work exceptionally well...and leave no residue either.

[Lowena]

I use the quilter's masking tape.It peels off cleanly and easily.
I wouldn't have a magnet anywhere near a machine

[maliw]

Does your machine have an alterable zigzag stitch? I alter my stitch by moving the needle slightly to the right when using the 1/4" foot. The machine shows 3.5 when sewing a straight seam and I move it to 3.7 by using the zigzag width.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

Can I ask what a scant 1/4" seam is?  I've noticed this term before and wondered.  And, no, I won't be going over to the dark side   

[Ploshkin]

With patchwork, if you sew exact ¼" seams, by the time you take the thickness of the thread into account plus the little bit you lose when the fabric is turned over at the seam, because there are so many seams the missing bits all add up and the end result can be quite a bit smaller than it should be.  A scant ¼" seam is a gnat's crochet under ¼" so that the finished article turns out the right size.

[Lowena]

That's the official version 
If you can remember exactly which gnat and which crotchet .... you're a better man than I am Gungadin 
Come on Bodgey......come over and do some real sewing, you know you want to 

[Lantana]

Does your machine have an alterable zigzag stitch? I alter my stitch by moving the needle slightly to the right when using the 1/4" foot. The machine shows 3.5 when sewing a straight seam and I move it to 3.7 by using the zigzag width.

I'm an eejit ... I remember figuring that out ages ago but had totally forgotten in recent years! duh Makes the most sense of all the solutions if you have the facility. Thanks for the reminder Maliw! To be fair to myself I'd not been doing the blocks type patchwork where it actualy mattered for some time .. all the same .... Oh the joys of ageing!

Lanty