When you said measure the seam allowance on the good side of the fabric, it was a light bulb moment. I always did it in the wrong side. Brilliant. I can’t thank you enough.
I have dyscalculia (dyslexia but with math) and adhd, and SCANT QUARTER INCH was my nemesis when I first started. I finally solved it with a combination of three techniques: 1. I add a skosh to each measurement. Like just a smidgen more. This gives me more wiggle room. 2. I became at peace (piece?) with the F-it pleat. As in, F*** it, Imma finish this quilt if it kills me. Now it has a tiny pleat, and I meant it to be there. 3. Know that I'm making this quilt for ME or a friend, and neither of us will care if it doesn't line up exactly while snuggling under it. Interestingly enough, giving myself permission to do it wrong and plow through anyway, means that I sew more, and therefore get more practice at it, and get better at it over time. It will still never be perfect on a quilt made by me, and that's fine.
I remember the paper templates, tracing, cutting by hand. Today, the rotary cutter, the mat, the plastic templates. All miracles for me, otherwise I’d never have picked up quilting again.
Cindy, my favourite quilt is a pillow quilt made for me by my grandmother on her treadle Singer from up cycled fabric. She cut everything with shears and used corsage pins to baste her quilts. Every time I think I wish I had a “whatever widget/notion” I think about my pillow quilt and usually find a work around without spending money. To be fair I do have a very well equipped sewing room so I have bought a lot of the fun stuff.
I've learned the 1/4" seam takes practice and I have to really watch what I'm doing and not get distracted...easier said than done. I do love when points come together like they should. Thanks Karen for your videos, I love them all!
I am just starting to take quilting more seriously and the 1/4 " seam was driving me nuts! From a garment sewer to a quilter is a change! The masking tape is the perfect answer for me. I was taught from the beginning to press, press, press so that part was easy. You are so easy to follow and have helped me tremendously. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you Karen. When I first saw a jelly roll a couple of years ago, I thought, well, I surely can do that. I knew how to sew, some. I had taken Home Economics in high school, back in 1969. Anyway, being much older now, I really wanted to learn to quilt, so I started watching RUclips. I soon learned, there is a lot I didn’t know or even had heard of before. A scant 1/4 inch was one of them. Your videos have been so helpful. Your instructions are always very clear. I really appreciate that. May God bless you.❤️✝️🙏
Well dang! I’m learning so much from you!!! I’ve never made a sample block! I think I will. I have no issues with my points matching… I get compliments and friends ask how it’s done…in my mind it all starts with my cutting…I’m 72 years old…I didnt know just how much I have missed in all these years… I come from a mother that had 9 of us girls and sewed a lot of clothing!!! She made patterns from news papers. We loved getting new dresses for school and shorts with crop tops for hot summers… The three brothers got some summer shorts/shirts also … The girls watched every move Moma made and she would set us down with fabric and let us sew….my grandmothers and great grandmothers and great great grandmother sewed (mostly by hand… and used beautiful flour sacks to make us clothes, tea towels, and the best aprons!!!!Nothing was ever wasted or thrown away .. I have two grandmothers quilts and they are full of memories….getting old now… they were made before I was born…1951…hope mine last that long😱!
One of the primary reasons the seam needs checked for each project is the thread thickness. the rollover of the seam when pressed is affected by the thread. Also the type of fabric, again thickness and fabric prep . All are subtle, but added together can make the difference of struggling to keep seams straight or not! Try to check your complete block size across the middle in 2 or 3 places, rather than just the middle one. oh and when looking at your ruler, include the lines. I hope this helps. 🤗💚
Another great video Karen, thank you!!! And please do that cruise again in a few years!!! My husband has Alzheimer's and is in the late stages so I can't make any plans right now, but I would love this trip!!!
Miss Karen..as soon as I seen this video I alerted my friend who is at the very beginning of her quilting journey. She loves your videos as much as I do. Thank you for keeping us on the straight and narrow with our techniques. You're the best!
Thank you of reminding me of things I already knew... and have meanwhile over the years successfully ignored 🙄 Great video, as always! Greetings from Germany 🙋
I think most of my machines have grooves for the measures. Just swapped the featherweight (tape and oil is a pain!) to the treadle 201 - no guide at all - arghhh! I had the plastic sheet from Eleanor Burns, not the greatest to tape down, so I did what Lori Holt does on hers and cut a piece out of the centre - hey presto, and the washee tape sticks down. I still have to realign when changing the bobbin, but overall - peaceful piecing without the hair tearing out sessions! LOL! Always good to see a tutorial whether you are new or old to the game. Cheers Karen xx
I bought a 1/4" foot with a ledge and it dramatically increased my accuracy. I also use the painters tape ledge to help me keep my fabric straight, but the 1/4" foot was worth every penny I paid for it on my featherweight, and they sew a pretty straight seam to start with.
I am a recovering swisher. I grew up steaming and starching linens and sewing a 5/8 inch seam when I made clothing. 1/4" seams has seemed to small. But I am getting better.....you don't need a lot of tools, just the ones that work for you and practice, practice, practice.....
Hi Karen..your videos are fantastic. Every video is a very informative for beginners or even someone who has been quilting for many years. Thank you for all the wonderful tips and tricks so helpful. Your videos are clear and you can tell you take extra measures to all angles of explaining different techiques. Bravo.
Thank you, Karen. Another great video. I love that your videos are so clear and cover a lot of important information, including the why with the how and often a bit a history.
I’ve been sewing for many years, but my seams are more accurate since I started using the ledge you recommended. Thank you for a refresher course of great information Karen. Wish I was young enough and physically able to join you on your cruise, but I do enjoy your videos of your trips. Thank you again. As always, you are a wealth of great information and guidance.
I love this video Karen! I’ve struggled with scant for several years. I think I finally have it down. I made a “simple” quilt for one of my nieces that has a 25 patch block (8 of them actually) and each patch finishes at one” square and it WORKED!!!! It came out square and accurate and I was so pleased! Thanks for keeping the basics going! They are so important! XOX
I get best accuracy when I use a scant 1/4". When I use the full 1/4 my blocks always run small!! So frustrating. I am working with a 90's machine that allows me to move my needle so I may try playing around with it yet again using your techniques...
I just had the most successful (and consistently straight) day of sewing thanks to your tips!! Thank you so much. I’m actually looking forward to doing more piecing and not dreading it. Great videos! Thanks again
It's always good to be reminded to be accurate. I think sometimes I get caught up on being finished and forget that it's the process and accuracy that yields the best outcome!🎉🎉🎉
As usual, a great video ! Thanks for the ' refresher course ' instructions which are necessary for every quilter before starting a new project ! It is also a demo of ' how to create a great video, with accurate instructions and illustrations '. The sincerity indeed reaches the viewer ...
Thank you for this video, very helpful. My early quilts had quite wonky seams and now I know to pay more attention and test the seams first. I would also like to say that this video has reignited my quilting mojo--I haven't touched my machine in a month but now I feel motivated to get back to a project and find those perfect 1/4" seams. 😊
My quilting skill has improved so much since watching your videos. I recently learned how to move my needle to the left and right and today I used a heavier thread for my top stitch and a lighter thread for my bobbin thread and I like the way it looks!
This is so very helpful. Thank you , Karen. Your very simple explanation and demonstration is helping BEYOND words. 🎉 I love your videos. Have a blessed day 💕
Thanks, Karen for this video. I had noticed in my piecing that there was a small fold at my seam and didn't know the cause! So will change my ironing. But I still am losing a 1/4" on my piecing. Using a layer cake, I cut 2 1/2" x10" strip length, 2 1/2 x 7 strip on the width, then sew contrasting strips to the 7" square. I always end up losing a 1/4" on one side! So frustrating. I just trim then all to the same size, but wish I could get it right. I've done with about 3 quilts now!
When i first started quilting, i told my friend that i was never going to sew a seam that small! She laughed. Yes, after my first attempt at using a larger seam failed, i had to learn to use a quarter inch seam. Thank you for this video, as i still struggle with this seam.
This is great. I have watched all your videos and learn from each one. Even when I realize I knew some of them and have forgotten or get lazy. The one thing I have gotten the most out of is the tape or my magnet and Press dry. I am amazed how fast I can get off near the end of my seam. Just a look away and I can slip to the way I look but the tape keeps me straight right to the end.
You are my go to person for all things quilting and sewing, you have encouraged me and made me feel I can do it. I dream of being with you on the cruise, but alas, enjoy! And we look forward to seeing the videos x
Yea! I started in apparel too, quilting is hard compared to clothing. I also sew to the right on the foot, with the needle moved over. Never used a quilting foot either. Learned a lot on YT! Your videos are great! My "fancy" Janome has a computerized 1/4" preset, which is SO off from a true 1/4" or scant. I always sew scant, especially with smaller stitches. If I'm doing larger stitches, I can sew more of a true 1/4", like on a pillowcase. And I always French seam everything that isn't a quilt too!
Great information, Karen! I'd also add to use the same machibe when piecing a quilt. I learned that when I bounced back and forth bwtween my Bernina and my Featherweight! Even though both are marked accurately, they just stitch differently!
How I achieved a scant quarter inch... the seam thread on the 1/4 inch line. I used my juki 1/4 inch foot which was a tad wide beyond 1/4. Then I used my single stitch needle plate. I measured and figured the exact number, move needle on Juki Hzl to 4.0. Thank you for your video. Helped get me there. My standard needle position is 3.4. Also I have a template that shows scan quarter inch line I bought on Amazon. I'm making a sampler quilt with many different blocks. So scant was vital. I stuck a sticker on my sewing machine that gives me the exact number to move my needle position to scant from default position.
Thank you! This was a fantastic video! I love all your Videos, especially those where you go into details to help us learn better techniques, keep them coming!
I always appreciate your instructional videos Karen! So well done. And I have also discovered how important pressing is! Pressing not swooshing😊 another thing I have found very helpful in accuracy is a little spritz of Mary's Best Press on the seam and then dry ironing. Thanks again for an excellent tutorial! Keep them coming.We all can use a refresher once in a while ❤
I've got an easier way to make the tape ledge. Instead of pulling off single strips and then lining them up, use an exacto knife to cut down through the tape layers and then peel off the ledge.
I agree with the vast majority of this video, other than the comment about snowball/folded corner blocks. For the overwhelming majority of pattern instructions, you NEED to sew a scant 1/4. If you have a bit of experience under your belt, you know how to compensate, but I’ve seen many, many quilt patterns with just a handful of snowball blocks, so it’s less essential, but snowball/stitch-and-flip blocks are slightly different.
Great video as usual. What is that long thing with the plastic marker across it? I thought that was a hem gauge? Daddy MADE me take Home Ec.(THANK GOD!!) in middle school, instead of wasting my time in Art-I'm a Scientist type, NO art skill-sniff sniff, ANYWAY, Home ec, teacher called it a hem gauge. They are very helpful in MANY aspects of life. Hubby uses one in his tool bag, Had to measure some VERY precise measurement when moving the BIG screen AGAIN and used one of my hem gauges? He loved it. That 1/4 inch seam looks like something that would let my machine EAT the fabric. Gonna give it a TRY b/c I am REALLY good at doing the Heimlich on that machine now. Love your videos, tip n tricks. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you again, Karen. I was thinking about one of my first quilts that called for precision piecing and how I need to do it again, many years later, might be heartwarming to compare the results, now that I'm a bit wiser!
I have had a lot of issues with my quarter inch seam lately. I’m using a different machine than I first learned on. I think I’m going to move the needle position after watching this video because I think that’s why I’m off.
I use two chunky, wide rubber bands for my seam guide. Also, even if you haven't exactly found the perfect 1/4 inch, at least if you follow the same guide consistently , it achieves a perfect square even if it's a little off. Isn't that why we square up our blocks?👍
I’m having issues with my bias pieces puckering, even though I’m very careful not to pull and pressing not ironing. I’m personally. at wits end trying to figure out the cause.I’ve repeat the block twice 1st time at a 2.0 2sd at a 2.2. The block is a series of ( 9 )square in a square Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you, Karen.
Looking good, Karen! I needed this video today, especially after acquiring a featherweight. Sewing a straight seam is challenging and getting the 1/4" is going to require some painter's tape!
Hi Karen; I’m a new subscriber to your RUclips channel, and relatively new to quilting. My fiber arts history is being a handweaver, I even have a weaving RUclips channel, but that is not why I am commenting on this video. Your tips in this video are helpful, but do not quite satisfy my curiosity on quarter inch seams. I also am aware that you are a Canadian, so I suspect you must be familiar with this. My wife and I recently purchased a new sewing machine, Husqvarna 95Q, it has a great feature of a laser light to help line up the distance from the needle. BUT Husqvarna is a Swedish company, and everything is in metric. When using the laser light as a guide for making quarter inch seams, what would you use. One quarter inch is 6.35 mm, I can adjust the laser line in 1 mm increments. Thinking along these lines, what seam allowance is common in metric countries, like Canada, when doing quilting using metric rather than imperial measurements?
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I love your straight forward approach to teaching, no fluff and of course using the word diabolical to describe a pattern.
When you said measure the seam allowance on the good side of the fabric, it was a light bulb moment. I always did it in the wrong side. Brilliant. I can’t thank you enough.
So glad it helped
I have dyscalculia (dyslexia but with math) and adhd, and SCANT QUARTER INCH was my nemesis when I first started. I finally solved it with a combination of three techniques:
1. I add a skosh to each measurement. Like just a smidgen more. This gives me more wiggle room.
2. I became at peace (piece?) with the F-it pleat. As in, F*** it, Imma finish this quilt if it kills me. Now it has a tiny pleat, and I meant it to be there.
3. Know that I'm making this quilt for ME or a friend, and neither of us will care if it doesn't line up exactly while snuggling under it.
Interestingly enough, giving myself permission to do it wrong and plow through anyway, means that I sew more, and therefore get more practice at it, and get better at it over time. It will still never be perfect on a quilt made by me, and that's fine.
👏👏👏
I am with you, I dont actually want my projects to be perfect, that is for the birds....I love Amateur Theatre too , haha !!
You changed me from a "swisher " to a finger presser a long time ago. It does make a huge difference! Thank you!
Very much appreciated. Sometimes we need a refresh.
This is the best explanation of the 1/4” seam.
I call myself the Queen of the Ironing Board, but I’m so glad I watched this!
I remember the paper templates, tracing, cutting by hand. Today, the rotary cutter, the mat, the plastic templates. All miracles for me, otherwise I’d never have picked up quilting again.
Cindy, my favourite quilt is a pillow quilt made for me by my grandmother on her treadle Singer from up cycled fabric. She cut everything with shears and used corsage pins to baste her quilts. Every time I think I wish I had a “whatever widget/notion” I think about my pillow quilt and usually find a work around without spending money. To be fair I do have a very well equipped sewing room so I have bought a lot of the fun stuff.
I've learned the 1/4" seam takes practice and I have to really watch what I'm doing and not get distracted...easier said than done. I do love when points come together like they should. Thanks Karen for your videos, I love them all!
I am just starting to take quilting more seriously and the 1/4 " seam was driving me nuts! From a garment sewer to a quilter is a change! The masking tape is the perfect answer for me. I was taught from the beginning to press, press, press so that part was easy. You are so easy to follow and have helped me tremendously. THANK YOU!!!
I love your no nonsense clear approach, thank you very much.
Thank you Karen. When I first saw a jelly roll a couple of years ago, I thought, well, I surely can do that. I knew how to sew, some. I had taken Home Economics in high school, back in 1969. Anyway, being much older now, I really wanted to learn to quilt, so I started watching RUclips. I soon learned, there is a lot I didn’t know or even had heard of before. A scant 1/4 inch was one of them. Your videos have been so helpful. Your instructions are always very clear. I really appreciate that. May God bless you.❤️✝️🙏
Well dang! I’m learning so much from you!!! I’ve never made a sample block! I think I will. I have no issues with my points matching… I get compliments and friends ask how it’s done…in my mind it all starts with my cutting…I’m 72 years old…I didnt know just how much I have missed in all these years… I come from a mother that had 9 of us girls and sewed a lot of clothing!!! She made patterns from news papers. We loved getting new dresses for school and shorts with crop tops for hot summers… The three brothers got some summer shorts/shirts also …
The girls watched every move Moma made and she would set us down with fabric and let us sew….my grandmothers and great grandmothers and great great grandmother sewed (mostly by hand… and used beautiful flour sacks to make us clothes, tea towels, and the best aprons!!!!Nothing was ever wasted or thrown away .. I have two grandmothers quilts and they are full of memories….getting old now… they were made before I was born…1951…hope mine last that long😱!
One of the primary reasons the seam needs checked for each project is the thread thickness. the rollover of the seam when pressed is affected by the thread. Also the type of fabric, again thickness and fabric prep . All are subtle, but added together can make the difference of struggling to keep seams straight or not! Try to check your complete block size across the middle in 2 or 3 places, rather than just the middle one. oh and when looking at your ruler, include the lines. I hope this helps. 🤗💚
Another great video Karen, thank you!!! And please do that cruise again in a few years!!! My husband has Alzheimer's and is in the late stages so I can't make any plans right now, but I would love this trip!!!
After sewing garments and home furnishings for years achieving the 1/4” seam has been a challenge!
You explain well, I get confused easy, so I have to watch your UT over a few times. Then I
get it.
That’s what so great about RUclips
Miss Karen..as soon as I seen this video I alerted my friend who is at the very beginning of her quilting journey. She loves your videos as much as I do. Thank you for keeping us on the straight and narrow with our techniques. You're the best!
❤
Thank you of reminding me of things I already knew... and have meanwhile over the years successfully ignored 🙄
Great video, as always!
Greetings from Germany 🙋
Looking great Karen.
Love how you demystify and simplify techniques. Thank you
I think most of my machines have grooves for the measures. Just swapped the featherweight (tape and oil is a pain!) to the treadle 201 - no guide at all - arghhh! I had the plastic sheet from Eleanor Burns, not the greatest to tape down, so I did what Lori Holt does on hers and cut a piece out of the centre - hey presto, and the washee tape sticks down. I still have to realign when changing the bobbin, but overall - peaceful piecing without the hair tearing out sessions! LOL! Always good to see a tutorial whether you are new or old to the game. Cheers Karen xx
I lived in Iceland over a year. It’s beautiful and you’ll have fun!
Thanks Karen. Your skin does glow. I always enjoy your videos. So much info.
I bought a 1/4" foot with a ledge and it dramatically increased my accuracy. I also use the painters tape ledge to help me keep my fabric straight, but the 1/4" foot was worth every penny I paid for it on my featherweight, and they sew a pretty straight seam to start with.
THANK YOU! This tip on pressing was exactly my problem! Such a small tip with big benefits!
Your ironing video was one of the most helpful to me to make better blocks.
Yes I enjoyed it very much and learned a lot
I am a recovering swisher. I grew up steaming and starching linens and sewing a 5/8 inch seam when I made clothing. 1/4" seams has seemed to small. But I am getting better.....you don't need a lot of tools, just the ones that work for you and practice, practice, practice.....
And practice some more
Love your videos and yellow looks beautiful on you !
Hi Karen..your videos are fantastic. Every video is a very informative for beginners or even someone who has been quilting for many years. Thank you for all the wonderful tips and tricks so helpful. Your videos are clear and you can tell you take extra measures to all angles of explaining different techiques. Bravo.
Thank you, Karen. Another great video. I love that your videos are so clear and cover a lot of important information, including the why with the how and often a bit a history.
Thank you for sharing
You're welcome. I hope it helps!
I’ve been sewing for many years, but my seams are more accurate since I started using the ledge you recommended. Thank you for a refresher course of great information Karen. Wish I was young enough and physically able to join you on your cruise, but I do enjoy your videos of your trips. Thank you again. As always, you are a wealth of great information and guidance.
You are so welcome!
I am so sad I will be out of town when you come. I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you.
This was quite helpful to me as a new sewist! Thx Karen
As a new sewist, straight is most important. The ¼” will come
Thank you Thank you! I've been pulling my hair out trying to get this right.
Oh my goodness, Thank you ✨
I love this video Karen! I’ve struggled with scant for several years. I think I finally have it down. I made a “simple” quilt for one of my nieces that has a 25 patch block (8 of them actually) and each patch finishes at one” square and it WORKED!!!! It came out square and accurate and I was so pleased! Thanks for keeping the basics going! They are so important! XOX
Glad it was helpful!
I get best accuracy when I use a scant 1/4". When I use the full 1/4 my blocks always run small!! So frustrating. I am working with a 90's machine that allows me to move my needle so I may try playing around with it yet again using your techniques...
Thank you so much. You have really answered my questions.
I just had the most successful (and consistently straight) day of sewing thanks to your tips!!
Thank you so much.
I’m actually looking forward to doing more piecing and not dreading it.
Great videos! Thanks again
Wow…so glad to hear
It's always good to be reminded to be accurate. I think sometimes I get caught up on being finished and forget that it's the process and accuracy that yields the best outcome!🎉🎉🎉
Seeing you seam match up never gets old
As usual, a great video ! Thanks for the ' refresher course ' instructions which are necessary for every quilter before starting a new project !
It is also a demo of ' how to create a great video, with accurate instructions and illustrations '. The sincerity indeed reaches the viewer ...
Thanks for watching!
Thanks Karen, this will help me so much. The ironing tip is a big one!
I know this is an old video. I’m experienced quilter but I just love your vids.
This one isn’t that old 😎
Thank you for this video, very helpful. My early quilts had quite wonky seams and now I know to pay more attention and test the seams first.
I would also like to say that this video has reignited my quilting mojo--I haven't touched my machine in a month but now I feel motivated to get back to a project and find those perfect 1/4" seams. 😊
🎉🎉🎉 so wonderful to hear
Hi Karen! Thank you for this clear tutorial! Your masking tape idea is fantastic! And leaves me asking, "Why didn't I think of that??" Kudos!
Very helpful and interesting, thank you Karen.
My quilting skill has improved so much since watching your videos. I recently learned how to move my needle to the left and right and today I used a heavier thread for my top stitch and a lighter thread for my bobbin thread and I like the way it looks!
Wonderful!
Good morning, Karen! Thanks for another upbeat and helpful video ☺ You gave me the nudge that I needed to get back to my projects.
Wonderful!
I just love your videos!!! Such good knowledge. Thank you
This is so very helpful. Thank you , Karen. Your very simple explanation and demonstration is helping BEYOND words. 🎉 I love your videos. Have a blessed day 💕
Excellent tips, as usual. Thanks for the video 😊 🇺🇲
So thorough and super helpful. Thanks so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, Karen for this video. I had noticed in my piecing that there was a small fold at my seam and didn't know the cause! So will change my ironing. But I still am losing a 1/4" on my piecing. Using a layer cake, I cut 2 1/2" x10" strip length, 2 1/2 x 7 strip on the width, then sew contrasting strips to the 7" square. I always end up losing a 1/4" on one side! So frustrating. I just trim then all to the same size, but wish I could get it right. I've done with about 3 quilts now!
Thanks for the tape idea
Thanks for these hints! Really important!
Glad you like them!
When i first started quilting, i told my friend that i was never going to sew a seam that small! She laughed. Yes, after my first attempt at using a larger seam failed, i had to learn to use a quarter inch seam. Thank you for this video, as i still struggle with this seam.
I think it’s a lifelong journey. When I get complacent my work suffers for it
Great info, thank you. Wonderful, clear graphics!
This is great. I have watched all your videos and learn from each one. Even when I realize I knew some of them and have forgotten or get lazy. The one thing I have gotten the most out of is the tape or my magnet and Press dry. I am amazed how fast I can get off near the end of my seam. Just a look away and I can slip to the way I look but the tape keeps me straight right to the end.
👍👍👍
Thank you for this.
THANK YOU
Thank you for this one for sure! I just bought a new Pfaff and for the LIFE of me I couldn't find the 1/4 in seam!!!
Glad I could help!
I have been seeing a lot of RUclips ads about a magnetic seam guide. Would this a worthwhile purchase?
They are not thinking about quilters so much as sewist’s as the ¼” is so close to the feed dogs
You are my go to person for all things quilting and sewing, you have encouraged me and made me feel I can do it. I dream of being with you on the cruise, but alas, enjoy! And we look forward to seeing the videos x
🤗🤗🤗
Yea! I started in apparel too, quilting is hard compared to clothing. I also sew to the right on the foot, with the needle moved over. Never used a quilting foot either. Learned a lot on YT! Your videos are great!
My "fancy" Janome has a computerized 1/4" preset, which is SO off from a true 1/4" or scant. I always sew scant, especially with smaller stitches. If I'm doing larger stitches, I can sew more of a true 1/4", like on a pillowcase. And I always French seam everything that isn't a quilt too!
Can you set custom stitches? I set a custom one on my Husqvarna-Viking that's just a bit more "scant" than the preset 1/4" seam and it's perfect.
Love your tips and tricks. They are a great checklist for me to follow. 🎶💐💖
Found this video very informative 🤗
Glad you liked it!!
Great information, Karen! I'd also add to use the same machibe when piecing a quilt. I learned that when I bounced back and forth bwtween my Bernina and my Featherweight! Even though both are marked accurately, they just stitch differently!
Do what works for you 🎉🎉🎉
How I achieved a scant quarter inch... the seam thread on the 1/4 inch line. I used my juki 1/4 inch foot which was a tad wide beyond 1/4. Then I used my single stitch needle plate. I measured and figured the exact number, move needle on Juki Hzl to 4.0. Thank you for your video. Helped get me there. My standard needle position is 3.4. Also I have a template that shows scan quarter inch line I bought on Amazon. I'm making a sampler quilt with many different blocks. So scant was vital. I stuck a sticker on my sewing machine that gives me the exact number to move my needle position to scant from default position.
Just found your channel. Have fun on your cruise! Great video!
Thank you! This was a fantastic video! I love all your Videos, especially those where you go into details to help us learn better techniques, keep them coming!
Glad it was helpful!
As usual, your information is presented in a simple & accurate way, to help us sew our very best. Thank you!!
🥰☕️
Thank you so much!
Great video! I learned a lot. Thank you
I always appreciate your instructional videos Karen! So well done. And I have also discovered how important pressing is! Pressing not swooshing😊 another thing I have found very helpful in accuracy is a little spritz of Mary's Best Press on the seam and then dry ironing.
Thanks again for an excellent tutorial! Keep them coming.We all can use a refresher once in a while ❤
Thanks for sharing!
I've got an easier way to make the tape ledge. Instead of pulling off single strips and then lining them up, use an exacto knife to cut down through the tape layers and then peel off the ledge.
I like that one and think I will give it a try.
Thank you for sharing this! I could never line up each single piece exactly to make the ledge thickness. I'll give it a try!
It was good to hear the tutorial though so two options for people to see which they find easier.
Genius!
So happy for this tip. I had trouble getting the tape to stack up straight.
Very helpful. Thank you
I agree with the vast majority of this video, other than the comment about snowball/folded corner blocks. For the overwhelming majority of pattern instructions, you NEED to sew a scant 1/4. If you have a bit of experience under your belt, you know how to compensate, but I’ve seen many, many quilt patterns with just a handful of snowball blocks, so it’s less essential, but snowball/stitch-and-flip blocks are slightly different.
Great video as usual. What is that long thing with the plastic marker across it? I thought that was a hem gauge? Daddy MADE me take Home Ec.(THANK GOD!!) in middle school, instead of wasting my time in Art-I'm a Scientist type, NO art skill-sniff sniff, ANYWAY, Home ec, teacher called it a hem gauge. They are very helpful in MANY aspects of life. Hubby uses one in his tool bag, Had to measure some VERY precise measurement when moving the BIG screen AGAIN and used one of my hem gauges? He loved it. That 1/4 inch seam looks like something that would let my machine EAT the fabric. Gonna give it a TRY b/c I am REALLY good at doing the Heimlich on that machine now. Love your videos, tip n tricks. Thank you for sharing.
I need to see this!!!
Thank you again, Karen. I was thinking about one of my first quilts that called for precision piecing and how I need to do it again, many years later, might be heartwarming to compare the results, now that I'm a bit wiser!
I love your videos. Thank you!!! I am new to quilting. I struggle with precut pieces that have a pinked edge. I cannot seem to get my seams correct..
They look easy but are actually quite challenging as you have found
I have had a lot of issues with my quarter inch seam lately. I’m using a different machine than I first learned on. I think I’m going to move the needle position after watching this video because I think that’s why I’m off.
Looking forward to seeing this thank you for sharing
Hope you like it!
I continue to learn so much from you! Thank you!!
You are so welcome!
Thanks for such a good video!
Great explanations. Thx
Thank you
Can you do a video about using silk ties, silk saris or silk scraps?
Sorry, not in my wheel house
This is something I have struggled with
Omg the dude!didn't know who she was talking about!😂
I use two chunky, wide rubber bands for my seam guide. Also, even if you haven't exactly found the perfect 1/4 inch, at least if you follow the same guide consistently , it achieves a perfect square even if it's a little off. Isn't that why we square up our blocks?👍
Very educative Karen. Thank you for sharing.♥️♥️♥️ 10:20
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! This was so informative! Thank you so much!😃🤗
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Karen, that 1/4” seam does make such a difference. I have to ask, what stitch length do you use for your piecing? 👍❤️😊
Depends 2.0 for regular piecing. 2.5 for QAYG and binding
I’m having issues with my bias pieces puckering, even though I’m very careful not to pull and pressing not ironing. I’m personally. at wits end trying to figure out the cause.I’ve repeat the block twice 1st time at a 2.0 2sd at a 2.2. The block is a series of ( 9 )square in a square Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you, Karen.
I've only been quilting a month-2 months and I have a foot that's ment to guide it but I'm finding it doesn't always keep it equal
love you! you always bring it !
Looking good, Karen! I needed this video today, especially after acquiring a featherweight. Sewing a straight seam is challenging and getting the 1/4" is going to require some painter's tape!
Hi Karen; I’m a new subscriber to your RUclips channel, and relatively new to quilting. My fiber arts history is being a handweaver, I even have a weaving RUclips channel, but that is not why I am commenting on this video. Your tips in this video are helpful, but do not quite satisfy my curiosity on quarter inch seams. I also am aware that you are a Canadian, so I suspect you must be familiar with this. My wife and I recently purchased a new sewing machine, Husqvarna 95Q, it has a great feature of a laser light to help line up the distance from the needle. BUT Husqvarna is a Swedish company, and everything is in metric. When using the laser light as a guide for making quarter inch seams, what would you use. One quarter inch is 6.35 mm, I can adjust the laser line in 1 mm increments. Thinking along these lines, what seam allowance is common in metric countries, like Canada, when doing quilting using metric rather than imperial measurements?
We use imperial
That tiger patch ! Wow, where is that pattern?