As you know, a 1/4″ seam allowance is the gold-standard in quilting. Keeping your seam allowance consistent is an important key to good-looking quilts but using a scant 1/4″ seam is even better. Let me explain.
Typically lining up the edge of your fabric with the right side of your presser foot is a good guide for keeping your seam allowance consistent. You can buy a specific quiter’s foot with a 1/4″ seam allowance for your machine (newer ones may come with it) but if you’re like me, I didn’t want to spend the extra money and it seemed close enough. Then I took a class from Leslie Ison where she explained how much more effective it is to use a scant 1/4″ when pieceing – especially when you are piecing a more complex block.
Above is are two seams on either side of a drawn line. On the right I just used my regular presser foot with the needle centered. On the left I adjusted my needle one space to the right and still used my regular presser foot.
Here is the difference. On the right you can see that the seam allowance is actually slightly bigger than 1/4″. On the left you can see that the seam lies just slightly inside the 1/4″ line. This, my friends, is a scant 1/4″.
So get out your ruler and measure your seam allowance. Making adjustments may be as simple as moving your needle one notch to the right, but sewing with a scant seam allowance will make a difference in your piecing. Especially if your piecing smaller, detailed blocks – like those cute Farmer’s Wife blocks. Give it a whirl and let me know if it makes a difference for you.
47 Comments
Lurline
October 15, 2011 at 10:42 pmNice of you to draw the 'scant' to attention – I've just recently started using it and is much more successful – very accurate!<br />Hugs – Lurline♥
Rie
October 15, 2011 at 11:03 pmThis makes sense to me – amazing – I'm gunna give it a go! Thanks for the tip!
Crafty Newbie
October 15, 2011 at 11:14 pmThank you. I have always wondered what that meant. Being a new sewer, I've never really had to come across anything that required it, but I have heard/read it in passing. :)<br /><br />You're so good to us! Thank you for sharing.
mascanlon
October 15, 2011 at 11:21 pmYep…it took me many years to figure that out…one little move of the needle over and it's amazing what a difference it makes!
pinksuedeshoe
October 16, 2011 at 12:39 amHrrrmmmppph. My needle doesn't move to the right. Just one giant step to the left for zippers and whatever else you sew all the way over there. I do have a 1/4" foot, but I don't think I am as consistent with my seam allowance with it. But my regular foot is a little over 3/8" seams… which ends up being really big! Hmmm… must find a new solution!
Wanda
October 2, 2013 at 7:28 amMeasure out 1/4" from your needle. Then place a piece of tape on your machine bed, so that guiding fabric along the edge of the tap ewill allow you to achieve a seam that is just slightly less than the 1/4".<br />
Sew Create It - Jane
October 16, 2011 at 2:15 amExcellent advice! Once I worked out the difference my piecing skilled improved 10 fold. Good piecing = a happy quilter :o)
Ann Marie
October 16, 2011 at 2:47 amThis works out great because when you have to press, that scant part is the fold from the seam to the top over the seam allowance bulk. It works really really well when you have lots of points you don't want cut off as well.
Annabella
October 16, 2011 at 3:14 amI`ve just bought a new machine and the quilter`s kit came with a quarter inch foot – is this the same as a scant seam? Before, I used to use a line of masking tape on the machine as I wasn`t able to move the needle right or left.
Wanda
October 2, 2013 at 7:30 amNo, chances are it will give you a regular 1/4" seam or maybe even a bit more than that, just as the author of the blog found when she tried her's out. Just move your needle to the right a notch. That should do it. Move the needle over and test your 1/4" foot with it. If you end up with just slightly less than 1/4", you will have the 'scant' 1/4" seam.
Elisa Black
October 16, 2011 at 4:13 amThank you for this tip– I think its a great piece of advice that I'm going to try!
Katy Cameron
October 16, 2011 at 4:44 amI discovered this recently (and actually have it on a post-it stuck to the machine, I'm that much of a dork) and it works so well!
Jill
October 16, 2011 at 5:13 amThanks for this tip, I'm just about to start working on a block for a block of the month and was reluctant because I didn't love home my Farmer's Wife blocks looked! Will definitely try this!
jlamanna
October 16, 2011 at 6:06 amI have been sewing for about 45 years- but only quilting for about 4 months. Talk about the "aha!" moment…it never occurred to me to move the needle to get the scant 1/4 inch!! Thanks for the tip!
Michele
October 16, 2011 at 6:23 amI have a 1/4" foot that came with my machine and I couldn't live without it. It gives me the perfect seam allowance every time. For those who don't have one, it is definitely worth the investment.
Wanda
October 2, 2013 at 7:32 amUnless you move your needle position, it probably still will not be a 'scant' 1/4". I used to figure that as long as I was consistent, it was OK. But using the scant 1/4" seam really does make a difference.
Jenny
October 16, 2011 at 8:35 amMy 1/4" foot was only $5 — and well worth it because I can't move my needle either (a Janome mechanical). BUT . . . you have to check your seam regardless, because the first 1/4" foot I bought was defective — nowhere NEAR a scant 1/4". I had to exchange it for one that was right.
Lynn Brown
October 16, 2011 at 9:29 amI SO wish I had known this before I started the quilt I'm currently working on. I had no idea what it meant and was just eyeballing it, so now I've got wonkiness. Thank you for clearing that up for me!
Missy
October 16, 2011 at 10:17 amThanks for this info! I used to use the right side of my foot, then I switched to the inside of the right side of my foot which was a 1/4 in. That'll be so much easier if I just move the needle. GENIUS!
amy smart
October 16, 2011 at 11:11 am@Annabella – I don't have a return email address to respond to your comment, so I'm hoping you'll see it here:<br /><br />So nice that your machine came with a 1/4" inch foot. I would just sew a seam and measure it with a ruler to check and see if it's a scant 1/4". If not, the masking tape is definitely another good option.
Elena
October 16, 2011 at 12:45 pmThanks Amy! I love the idea of just moving my needle over a bit, instead of putting my fabric along a different seam line. Great idea!
Kristen
October 16, 2011 at 4:10 pmIt's amazing how that smidge helps when you sew!! Good advice!!
amylouwho
October 16, 2011 at 5:54 pmyes! this is genius!! I have a 1/4" foot but I don't think it's genuine bernina because it doesn't fit my machine well and it's super slippery. I think i'm going to ditch it and start doing this. you just changed my life!!<br /><br />PS – do you have an Bliss laying around?
amanda
October 16, 2011 at 6:52 pmI think you just solved all my problems and made all of my wildest dreams come true. Move the needle! *smacks forehead* Now why didn't I think of that? ('cause I'm not you, that's why!) THANK YOU!
Thimbleanna
October 16, 2011 at 7:20 pmMy blocks are always much more accurate if I use a scant 1/4" — I love it!
L'amore del fare
October 17, 2011 at 1:28 amOnly yesterday the exhibition of the hobby of Rome, I discovered the basics of quilters. It 'nice to see how much passion and love are created these masterpieces. Congratulations you are very good! I follow you always with pleasure. Hello!
Linda
October 17, 2011 at 7:59 amYou know, I have read so many blogs that talk about using a 1/4" seams and I really didn't get it until I saw your visual. I had been trying to figure out exactly where is the scant? lol Thanks for the visual!
kendascrafts
October 18, 2011 at 8:40 amWow, I just had an 'aha' moment. I've heard people talk about scant 1/4" seams but never really got it. Thanks so much for the visual, that's exactly what I needed!
sunny
October 18, 2011 at 10:04 amThanks for sharing this! I know that's it's better to use a scant 1/4", but it never occured to me how simple it would be to achieve it. duh.
theygrowuptoofast
October 18, 2011 at 10:29 amThanks for the tip- I'm going to measure mine and see how accurate it is.
Sarah Kay
October 18, 2011 at 3:16 pmTHANK YOU!! I spent SO much time last quilt measuring twice over and STILL not having the seam allowances right. I can't wait to try this tip!
Kim
October 18, 2011 at 8:11 pmOMG!!! I'm so glad I read this before I started my new project… it's my 3rd quilt and I did as best I could with the first two… just wanted to tell you that I'm 2 blocks in and I can tell the difference in how the pieces are going to fit together. Thanks for the explanation and hint… although my needle only moves to the left so I feel backwards. :o)
AnneMarie
October 19, 2011 at 1:51 pmYou know, I've been quilting for 6 years and it took going to the Summit for me to FINALLY measure it up and resign myself to adjusting my needle position every time I turn on my machine to get the scant 1/4". WHAT a Difference!! Funny you should post this like 3 days after I finally saw the light!
Kell
October 19, 2011 at 7:34 pmThank you for the visual! I have a new Janome that comes with a 1/4" foot. I checked it before I started a new quilt & still is bigger than a 1/4" if I go by the guide. I had to move my needle over to the right & I'm going by the 1/4" mark on by extension table for right now.
Erica
October 22, 2011 at 8:25 pmThanks for the tip! I've been using the edge of my foot and some of my blocks aren't turning out correctly. Maybe this will help me.
kait.
October 25, 2011 at 10:01 amIt's good to hear you say this Amy! I recently realized that my Singer's 1/4" measurement is more than that! I'm working on the Swoon quilt right now and find my HST aren't quite large enough so I'll definitely be switching to the scant measurement. Thanks!
Tanyia
January 19, 2013 at 12:06 pmI just found this and wanted to thank you so much for explaining it so perfectly … I didn't even know I could move my needle! Now I know the exact number to program it to to get the perfect seam!
Marie Atkinson
October 16, 2014 at 10:18 amExcellent advice! I have used a scant 1/4" for years and it does make a difference.
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January 19, 2017 at 12:09 pm[…] 2. Mix-up the 2½” squares and lay them out into 9 sets of 9 squares. Sew each set of squares into 3 rows of 3 squares each using a scant ¼” seam allowance. […]
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January 31, 2017 at 7:46 pm[…] When making my block, I remembered that a couple of people have asked me for a quick tutorial on squaring up half-square triangles. So here’s a quick explanation: Half-square triangle (HST) blocks are one of the most versatile blocks in quilt-making. They are quick and easy to make as Sherri showed by drawing a diagonal line on the back of one of the squares, matching the two prints right-sides together, and then sewing down either side of the line with a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. […]
JBeez63
July 8, 2017 at 2:14 pmThank you for this explanation. I have been quilting for about a month, sewing forever and a day. I have a brand-new Singer H74 (bought on clearance for a song) and it came with every foot in the catalog, including a 1/4″ piecing foot. My question is, if the thing is intended for piecing, and everyone in the industry knows a SCANT 1/4″ is the gold standard, then why is a Quilter’s Piecing Foot set to a NON-scant 1/4″? If I use it, I get a regular 1/4″. Because it has a tiny hole in the middle, I’m leery of shifting the needle a notch to the right. I’m sure the high-end Janomes and Berninas have exact scant 1/4″ feet, but WHY don’t they make a piecing foot the right size? Irritating and mind-boggling, and my first two toppers are a scant bit too small because I did not KNOW this.
Amy Smart
July 8, 2017 at 5:27 pmI’m totally with you on this! If it’s any help, my 1/4″ foot is a straight stitch hole as well, but I am able to move the needle over just slightly. Check it manually (using the the knob on the side of your machine to drop the needle, not the pedal) just to check it out.
Jeanne Berry
July 11, 2017 at 8:30 amThanks, Amy. After much experimentation, I’ve found that if I use my all-purpose foot, line up the fabric with the edge of that, use a 4×4 ruler as my “guide”, and move my needle position to 6.0, I get that scant 1/4 AND a straighter seam to boot. (Who wold have thought that getting the right seam allowance would–so far–be the hardest part about quilting?)
Amy Smart
July 11, 2017 at 4:04 pmHaha! Good job!
Beth Aitken
January 1, 2018 at 3:29 amThanks for the great teaching tip. It is saving me from binning my work….Beth
Vickie
July 14, 2018 at 2:55 amThat’s an important tip. However not all machines can move the needle to the right of center. Most quarter inch feet give you an exact 1/4 or even more. None of my current machines can move the needle one notch. Mine either don’t move at all or are limited to center, left and right options. It’s time for manufacturers of machine feet to make them a scant 1/4 inch with needle in center position.
Vickie
July 14, 2018 at 3:28 amUse your blind stitch foot and turn the wheel until you get your scant 1/4″ . I bought a second one, set it and then glued the screw so it wouldn’t move.