Have you ever heard of the scant quarter inch seam? It’s a term you’re likely to hear within the quilting community. In a nutshell, the scant quarter inch seam allowance is considered a gold standard in quilting. When you keep your quilt seam allowance consistent, your final product will look good, with each stitch in the right place. You can achieve a quarter inch seam allowance using a specific foot made for your sewing machine, or you can learn to make a scant quarter inch as you piece together your quilt.
Think quilting classes in Albuquerque, NM can help you perfect the scant quarter inch seam allowance? For your learning pleasure, here are a few things to review and practice.
Quarter inch foot
Mastering the quarter inch seam allowance is one of the most important techniques for an advanced quilter. To assist in this goal is the quarter inch foot. Most newer sewing machines come with this tool, while older machines probably don’t. Getting one if you do not have one is a good investment. This tool lets you line up the fabric with the edge of the foot, and the result is a nice quarter inch seam. Each foot is slightly different, so play around with it and use a plastic template or rule to figure out where on the foot the seam hits.
Use tape on your machine
In order to achieve an accurate seam allowance with a quarter inch foot, your fabric must be lined up properly. If you’ve already figured out where the seam falls, but your seams are repeatedly off the mark, then bust out some bright colored tape. Use this tape to mark the quarter inch seam on your machine all the way up to the foot component. It’s a long, visible guide for you to line up your fabric to ensure the needle will be able to make a perfect seam.
Check your seam allowance
You don’t want your piece of fabric to be too wide or too narrow, so make sure to check your seam allowance. Using a rule to measure the seam is the quickest way to check it, and if it is found to be wide or narrow, the issue could be with the cutting or thread. Sign up for quilting classes in Albuquerque, NM to perfect this seam!
While learning how to master certain skills like specific quilting stitches and flawless quilt designs will happen eventually, right now is the time to go at your own pace to focus on getting the basic techniques down. If you have been working on hand sewing skills for the past few months, but feel like you need more practice, continue sewing by hand. When you’re ready to start piecing together quilts using a sewing machine, then you are liable to be ready to learn all sorts of seams, both delicate and intricate.
From beginner and basic skills classes to more advanced quilting classes in Albuquerque, NM, The Quilt Works Inc. has something for everyone. If you are interested in learning more about our ongoing or upcoming new classes, feel free to give us a call!