Perfect 1/4" Foot???
12-14-2010, 05:13 PM
#33
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 6,764
Originally Posted by sewwhat85
usually only by luck does a 1/4" foot is perfect. usually have to move needle position or position of fabric to get perfect 1/4"
12-14-2010, 05:17 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Largo FL
Posts: 917
Originally Posted by plainpat
My machine came with a 1/4th" foot & I've measured it several times & it's spot on. Having said that, I don't worry about my seams being exact as long as there's enough to sew even seams.I don't go under that size.Don't want to worry about them pulling apart.
12-14-2010, 05:44 PM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fox Valley Wisconsin
Posts: 1,920
No perfect answer...it can depend on your thread, your fabric, how you press, using a scant quarter, even how you cut.
It is always best to do a test...example...batik fabric will be different than sewing with flannel. The "take up" as you are pressing will be different with each of these fabrics, and your "scantness" will probably need to be a bit more with the flannel to get a true 1/4."
To do a test, you can cut a 2" strip from each fabric and sew them together using what you think is a1/4" and measure your width after pressing. The strips after sewing and pressing should measure 5" and if they don't, you need to adjust your 1/4" so that they do.
There are some patterns you can do that it might not matter too much if the seams aren't correct, but the more intricate the block, the more important it will be to sew with a "perfect 1/4."
It is always best to do a test...example...batik fabric will be different than sewing with flannel. The "take up" as you are pressing will be different with each of these fabrics, and your "scantness" will probably need to be a bit more with the flannel to get a true 1/4."
To do a test, you can cut a 2" strip from each fabric and sew them together using what you think is a1/4" and measure your width after pressing. The strips after sewing and pressing should measure 5" and if they don't, you need to adjust your 1/4" so that they do.
There are some patterns you can do that it might not matter too much if the seams aren't correct, but the more intricate the block, the more important it will be to sew with a "perfect 1/4."
12-14-2010, 05:50 PM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Originally Posted by Caro
Will thread make a difference? Wouldn't a thinner thread such as Aurfil, take less space, therefore making a scant quarter inch seam...or almost? Just a thought.
Depends. Aurifil makes a lot of different thread weights. I have 3 different Aurifil thread weights. And they make more than that. All will affect the seam allowance in a different manner and what you'd need to do, or not do with the needle to get a scant 1/4".
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