Why You Should Never Sew 1/4" Seams!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video we unravel the mystery of what a scant quarter inch is.
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Stacy, you are the best! I found you a couple years ago & in my humble opinion,
You are a wonderful teacher! You explain perfectly, whether you are a beginner
or more experienced! Wonderful video!❤
Wow, thank you for you kind words ❤️ Thank you for watching 🤗
@@staceyleecreativeI stopped using 1/4 seam allowances years ago and do 3/8 allowances ….so much easier for me!!!
Definitely , I've watched loads of tutorials over the past couple of years, many inspire me to continue learning basic quilting methods, and hopefully as I become more experienced, I can learn to use a combination of tutorials, however when you (I mean us as students) , learn new core skills, that's when you need to commit to a single strategy of learning at foundation level and your methods of teaching us newbies Stacey are amazing; every block I practice gets better every time.
I would love to send you a photo of my first and latest block I've made because it will give you a giggle.
Ķind regards Lori Scotland 😘🏴
Great video❤ so glad I found you! Thank you!
Pressing the seam open and flat solves the problem. I've always noticed that quilters who press their seams to the side don't press them flat enough, losing that scantness that leads to needing a scant 1/4" seam. My mother (1928-2012) and grandmother (1904-2002) and dozens of their quilter friends always pressed seams open, that's just the way it was done in "the olden days". Not sure when this pressing to the side began. When I took a quilt to a long-armer a few years ago, she expressed complete gratitude for my open seams because they were less bulky when quilting. Just my two cents. Everyone can do it whatever way they prefer.
So out of interests sake I just pressed the two samples from the video open and there was no change. I like to teach to press to one side because beginners find it much easier to nest seams to get perfect joins. But at the end of the day everyone should do what works best for them.
If you truly want to “stitch in the ditch” you can’t really do it well with seams that are pressed open. I also think that it leaves the threats too exposed….personal opinion and preference only. I have a lovely quilt that was done by my great-grandmother in 1922 and the seams are all pressed to the side…..
Absolutely!
That's the way some people did it. I live next to the largest Amish community in the country. And they have never pressed open because they hand quilt in the ditch. A quilt is less secure with seams pressed open. If you know how to press to the side properly, there is no bulk. There are times where you do need to press open but they are rare, especially with more advanced piecing units and blocks. Please don't base decisions on personal anecdotal stories. Use a heavy iron or press down with your iron and properly press and you will have no bulk. There's a reason very few quilting instructors advise pressing open unless necessary.
absolutely correct, and when sewing your strats (long strips) together, ironing them open they are never curved , and for the people who say it creates weak seams, i say nonsense or we would all be walking around naked because clothes are sewn with open seams lol also point of interest, i dont have bad points either, nesting creates bulk and bumps
🤩I'm "Scant 1/4" Team" All The Way🤩
Great Video Stacey🎉
Yay! Will you be at QuiltCon?
No not this year🤷🏻♀@@staceyleecreative
This makes total sense as to why my squares and hst haven’t been measuring up. And here I’ve been pulling my hair out wondering what the heck I’ve been doing wrong. I don’t know why others haven’t pointed this out for us beginners. Thank you for this. You’ve kept me from going bald😄
I'm so happy you learned from my video (and that you saved a few strands of hair in the process)! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
I've been quilting for 25 years and feel like this "scant" business is the dirty little secret of quilting, LOL! I don't remember it being 'a thing' when I started out 🤷🏻♀. As many have said in these comments, each person should do what they feel works best for them. I'm terrible at pressing seams open and while it sometimes is necessary because of a block with many intersections, I still don't do well at it. I'm probably in the minority, but after quilting so long for friends and family (and an occasional commissioned piece for $$ compensation), I have decided to follow a pattern as best I can and when possible, cut a smidge bigger and then trim it to size. That's not always an easy option, but I decided a long time ago, this was for FUN and rules were optional, haha! Just found your channel and just made your vinyl pocket project bag today!
I am the same about the dirty word scant.
One of the really popular mainstream (not originally internet based) quilting ladies refers to it as your personal seam allowance. She gives insight on sewing multiple sets like in this video and measuring the center one, then the math to work out what your own personal machine and guide give you. Then how to scale up your cut pieces for perfect blocks. Wish I could remember WHO it was. (Elanor Burns maybe?)
Make your seam allowance whatever size you like, just make sure you do the same allowance throughout the whole project and that you take that into account when cutting the size of your squares. You can even use 3/8” seams or 1/2” seams.
That's a great point, so long as you don't need your blocks to finish at a certain size.
I was taught that pressing seams to the side made them stronger when it came to quilting the three layers-especially if you do stitch in the ditch quilting. I do occasionally press seams open if I have really small pieces, but then I shorten my stitch length. 😊
After coming from sewing clothing where you press open, and then being told to press to the side. I had my concerns. But I’m converted and prefer to press to the side, so it’s easier to nest and because I agree with you stitch in the ditch should not be done on a pressed open seem in my opinion and it’s just my opinion 🤗
@@staceyleecreativesame!
idk but I just did my first, pressing to the side and I will never make that mistake again for a hand-quilting project 🤦🏻♀️😑
Thank you, Stacey. This was helpful. Especially since I learned I HAVE a scant 1/4 " foot! That's exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time at QuiltCon! 🤩🥰
Yay! Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching with me! 🥰
@@staceyleecreative ❤️
I was always wondering why my blocks came out smaller and the points cut off. Finding the scant 1/4” fixed everything! My favorite method is using the clear ruler that you showed with a magnetic seam guide. I also test with the 3 squares and measure. To me, this is a game changer and I love how the blocks come out!
It's always good to hear I've helped someone learn an easier method than they previously used. Glad my video could help! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Great video Stacy Lee!! You explained this so well and without using "click bait!!" Keeping real :)
Thanks so much!! ❤
Oh M G🤯. Is that why my pieces are always a bit shorter! I thought I was cutting all my pieces wrong or something, even though I kept remeasuring it never arrives at the proper measurements 😂😅😅😅😅
Yes, exactly! It's noticeable when sewing different blocks together ❤
To make the tape ridge: Take a box cutter or exacto knife and cut a few layers into the tape roll. You can take the layers off intact and perfectly lined up.
Also a handy way of dealing with a roll of tape where the outer layers are dry or cooked together to see if there's viable tape a few layers in.
@lynn858 thanks for that tip, saved a huge amount of time for me. But now its got a bit tatty. I've taken the tape off and have a sticky residue left on my footplate. Can you please tell me how to clean it off? X
@@LuckySpacePuppy-rb6dz
Vegetable oil. Mineral oil. Even peanut butter (because of the oil) breaks down sticky or gunky.
Just make sure you use the tiniest bit of dishsoap, to remove the oil and maybe sew a scrap before your project.
Veg oil and baking soda (or sometimes baking soda and dishsoap) makes a really good paste for removing the greasy/dusty gunk in the kitchen.
:)
Thanks @lynn858, I appreciate the useful information. Happy sewing to you x
Great idea 💡 Thanks for watching 🤗
This was very helpful and explains why my pieced blocks don't always measure what I planned and expected them to measure. Thank you!
Hopefully this video helped solve that issue! Glad to help and so happy to have your support!
Thank you for the layering option with the tape. Helpful 😊
Glad it was helpful! ❤
Great info. Thanks Stacy Lee!
You are so welcome! Thank you for watching! ❤️
Very comprehensive, thank you Stacey.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching ❤️
Explained so well thankyou
Thanks so much 🤗
Really helpful video, as always Stacey, and just what I needed at this point. Going to make such a positive difference to me this year ( I hope)! 🥰
Glad it was helpful! You’ve got this Kate! 🤗🪡❤️
Great explanation! Thanks so much!❤
Glad it was helpful! ❤️
You answered my question, thank you. I have a Brother machine, now I know how to get that “scant 1/4 “ seam allowance.😊
Thank you. This is the best explanation of a scant quarter inch I’ve ever seen!
Wow, thanks! 🙏
Thank for this. Your video is so easy to understand. Thank you for the visuals. I'm a first time quilter doing a log cabin pattern.
I'm so happy you've taken an interest in quilting and chose my channel to help learn! Good luck on your quilting journey and thank you for the kind comment!
I taught myself to quilt years and years ago but I had never ever heard of a scant 1/4 inch. It makes so much sense now why I often struggled with my piecing no matter how careful I tried to be with my seam allowances! Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful! 🤗
Thank you so much for such a clear explanation and demonstration! I’m going to try it on my Brother!
Wonderful! ❤
I just found you and am thrilled! So clear and concise! Excellent demos, too. You are going to help me become a better seamstress! I am still pretty unexperienced. Have a blessed week!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for your kind comment! ❤
Excellent information. Thank you for the comprehensive review 😊
I'm glad you liked the video, and I'm glad you left a comment! The support always helps!
You always provide great info and clear direction on your videos. This one is no different! Thank you! Now to go play around with some 2.5” blocks…
Thanks so much Janie ❤
You explained it very well, very important information.
Thanks so much ❤️
Thank you! I have a Brother with a guide quarter inch foot - I'm going to bump the needle over!! I have also used the masking tape, guide tape, and the magnetic to help with the quarter inch and scant quarter inch, lol😊.
Thanks for watching Kim ❤️
Prefect timing Stacey. I’m sewing my block of the month today. Lynda
Yes it is Lynda! The first block inspired this video 🤗 Thanks for watching ❤️
The idea with painter’s tape really works for me. Thanks for this tutorial. You always provide new ideas for me to try, which help improve my skills. Thank you, Stacey! Pat Berne
Awesome! Thanks so much for watching ❤️
Painters/washi tape works wonders on rulers too! If you have multiple cuts you have to do at the same size or you want to square up half square triangles but don’t have the special rulers you can make a ridge using tape.
I have 2 long 24x6 rulers, one has permanent tape marking out the 2.5 line so I can easily use it to cut jelly roll strips if needed. And my 5” square has a diagonal piece of painters tape built on it for HST, it works just as well as my bloc-lock ruler.
I have a machine that has an adjustable needle & i just use my regular seethru foot, and move my needle as far to the right as possible & then back up one notch. Bonus is that the feed dogs fully engage with the fabrics that way. Second bonus, I can move needle to the left and get a backwards 1/4" SA too.
That's what I used to do on my Brother sewing machine 🤣
Thank you. I have wondered forever lol
Thanks so much for watching ❤️
Great information! Thank you!
Thanks for watching ❤
So so needed this tutorial, thank you ❤
You're so welcome! I appreciate you watching my video and taking the time to leave a comment ❤
I have the juki TL as well. I i added the 1/4" measure tape and line my fabric to just the edge of the black lines.
Perfect! Thanks for watching ❤
I’m so glad I figured out the scant 1/4” on my machine!
Awesome! It helps so much ❤
@@staceyleecreative ABSOLUTELY
Thank you, very helpful
So glad to hear that! Thank you for leaving a comment!
Thank you so much! Wish I'd seen this ages ago! :)
Glad it was helpful! ❤️
Very first quilt I made used mini charms. I could not understand why my quilt rows were was off size since I Sewed my Seams 1/4 inch like I was suppose to. Well now I know what was wrong. Its too late to make adjustments on current quilt #4 I will adapt my sewing machine measurements. Thank you for the info
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 🤗
Thanks❤
You're welcome 😊 Thank you for watching!
Hi Stacey. Loving your tutorials. As you started putting the masking/painters tape on, I thought maybe a layer or two of card taped on top to give a firmer guide 💞
Great idea! ❤ Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment - I really appreciate it! 🙏
Can you do a stitch in the ditch video like this. You’re such a good teacher. I’ve been seeing people say scant 1/4” and while I knew logically what it meant… putting it into practice felt like a guesstimate to me 😂
I have a whole heap of videos. Check these ones out. th-cam.com/play/PLOfuHJF5AcWFWOXSm4L8JURflVgzcMfNS.html&si=gGBgipfGvawc3rOh
See, we just needed our sweet Stacey to show us all the options to easily obtain the elusive scant ¼". Thank you, Hun. I know I can do it now. 😊
Thank you Teresa!
❤ Diagonal seam tape is the best, most accurate option I've found. Primitive Gatherings in Wisconsin USA makes a version (Stich n Flip tape) with thinner lines that I find to be the best. I've tried all of the options and this is my favorite so far. Instead of trying to figure out how many threads over the line to sew, just move the tape over a couple of thread lines.
Great tips, thanks for sharing ❤
excellent!!
Thanks so much! ❤
I like the stacked painter's tape method, but you should really use the blue or green type because it won't leave the residue on your machine bed like the masking tape does if you leave it there.
Great tip!
Hi Stacey, I'm still working on getting a whole block sewn and I'm getting much better 😅, 😘
You can do it! ❤️
Thanks for showing the scant 1/4 “
You’re welcome ☺️ Thanks for watching 🤗
Thank you for sharing. I think an advantage of using a scant 1/4 inch seam is that you have a little more room to play with if there is a mistake in the seam. Or if there is fraying of fabric from unpicking a seam. With a 1/4 inch seam allowance you lose more threads and not much room to play with. Additionally, when sewing a project where many points come together in the middle eg an 8-pointed star, with the scan't 1/4 inch seam allowance there is lesser bulk to contend with.
Thanks so much for your comment ❤
Absolutely "Scant 1/4" is the way to go. Great Video
It sure is! Thanks for watching ❤
Thank you so much you have just save my quilting enthusiasm, I am going to enjoy sewing much more wow. 💖
Wonderful! I love that! Happy sewing 🪡❤️
This is wonderful. I don't quilt but was trying to figure out French Seams today. The instructions say to sew the seam wrong sides together at a scant 1/4" then press and trim close to the stitching before turning and stitching again on the original seam line (right side together).
Oh wonderful. My burrito pillowcase uses French seams. But we sew the seam and then trim. You might like to check it out 🤗
perfect explanations for me beginner)
Glad it was helpful! 🤗
This appeared in my feed, and I hoped this was going to explain why garment sewing is "afraid" of 1/4" seams and give me some actually useful reasons for oversized seams.
(Aside from future alterations. That's an excellent reason, but 5/8" won't get you that far if it's just 2 side seams)
How could I make that mistake? Most of my feed is garment sewing. (I started sewing with quilts though) And not recognizing the channel I just figured the squares were samples.
Well explained. :)
And I guess a juki isn't for me. I move the needle position a LOT.
Garment sewing has always been 5/8. Probably because of the risk of fraying and washing. Quilts are quilted over the top of the stitches securing the stitches down.
Stacy, thanks, I just want your viewers to realise one very important thing about our 1/4" with guide foot; the guide edge becomes disconfigured after use, as i'm here to say. I have gone from 8.3 default on my patchwork menu to 8.5 then 8.6 and all the way ro 8.7..... I've pieced for 27 years and could not figure out what the heck??? My Janome MC12000 foot was OLD lol. Get a new one that little edge is tight and right. yea
Good point - thank you! ❤
Where do you get all those cute fabrics?
It's Ruby Star Society!
please let me know where i can buy the same magnetic guide as yours. its looks strong, wide
n sturdy.
Mine is for a Juki sewing machine, made by Juki. I would check to see if Bernina have one first.
How do I sign up for your newsletter?
Hi, you can do so here ❤: www.stacey-lee.com/2023/10/25/newsletter-sign-up/
♥️♥️♥️
❤
I just cleaned my iron. I then continued to sew and iron quilt blocks. I noticed that the iron was getting dirty buildup again. I do use best press before cutting my fabric. What can I do to eliminate the black build up on my iron?
You could mix the tap water with demineralized water and regularly decalcify the iron regularly.
Run your iron over a dryer sheet once in a while. Turn the heat down one or two clicks from the highest setting. I use Best Press and have the same iron for 3 years. I've never had to clean it and its plate is shiny. Use filtered (like Brita) not tap or distilled water. Hope that helps.
I am not sure Julie, I don't have that problem, but I have seen that you can get iron cleaners which sounds like it might be helpful for you 😊
I sew scant 1/4” seams in order to get the correct finished size HST, flying geese or block but they are almost impossible to press open for a flatter block. For many years the standard was 1/4” quilt seams and patterns were written for that, why not now? What changed so that now most if not all patterns are written for scant 1/4” seams?
I’m not sure it changed. Because it’s just basic math, if you sew two pieces together and only want to lose 1/2” in a seam it must be scant.
How to start sewing a scant 1/4 inch on my Bernina machine? do i move the needle position or what do i do. please help.
If you have a Bernina, they should have a scant 1/4" foot. Otherwise yes do what I say in this video, try moving needle over.
Thank you .
When you say a few threads short of a quarter inch, how many is a “few”? Thanks!
2-4
It's more about testing what works on your machine, but probably 2.
Big question...would a 1/8" be considered a scant 1/4" seam allowance?
Hi, no that would be too small, that's half of a 1/4"
I wonder what or who gave you the idea for this video? 😊 😂
LOL 😜
Don’t forget about the circumference of the thread. Use a silk thread, and a thing bobbin thread to achieve the best results. Even if you do a scant 1/4”, if you have thick thread, when you iron it, it looks bulky.
That is true! 😊
Sewing a scant anything just means the pattern wasn't written in the correct detentions.
It’s mathematical, because of the fold and the thread. Everyone should do what works best for them.
Must be careful with the magnetic guides. You cannot use them on a computerized sewing machine, because it can destroy the motherboard!! If you have a mechanical sewing machine, or the old vintage (Featherweights), then it is fine to use it!
Not true. Motherboards on electronic sewing machines are behind where the display is, not on the bed of the machine. There is nothing computerized in the bed of the machine, it’s only moving parts. If you don’t believe me, watch sewing machine technicians take apart a computerized machine. Same applies for anything computerized, except for computers.
I don't think they work on sewing machines that aren't mechanical because there isn't enough metal for them to grip on to.
@@staceyleecreative The magnetic guide is placed on the metal needle plate of a computerized machine.
So you want a 0.5cm seam allowance, which is 1mm under a quarter of an inch which would fit in as you're now using measurements used by the rest of the world.
Quilting is done in inches ❤️
I was able to understand this presentation 👏👍🧵🪡
Wonderful! Thanks for watching ❤