The quarter inch seam is the foundation of quilting. It is also the number one reason beginner quilters give up. After 23 years of quilting, I can say that a consistent quarter inch seam is way more important than a perfect one.
How to Sew a Consistent Quarter Inch Seam
In this article I am covering what is a quarter inch seam, how to sew a quarter inch seam, which tools you can use to make it easier, what is the mysterious scant quarter inch seam and more.
What is a Quarter Inch Seam?
A quarter inch seam is the size of the seams sewn in quilt blocks and tops. It is smaller than the ⅝” seam used in garment making and for many quilters, it is the cause of much frustration.
To sew a quarter inch seam, sew a seam a quarter inch away from your sewing machine needle. This can be accomplished by using a quarter inch presser foot, a magnetic seam guide placed on the bed of your machine, as well as placing painter’s tape on the bed of your machine marking the quarter inch.
The quarter inch seam allowance is important because it is what holds your blocks together. If your seam allowance is too narrow, the seam can become undone in the wash or through using the quilt.
How to Test your Quarter Inch Seam
The best way to test your seam is to use (3) 2 ½” squares. Sew them together with a quarter inch seam and the center square should measure 2” x 2 ½”. The 2 ½” width has changed due to the ¼” seams sewn on both sides of it.
Quarter Inch Seam Tools
Quarter Inch Presser Feet
To start, please purchase the quarter inch foot made by your machine’s manufacturer for your machine. I know those generic feet from Amazon are tempting, but they can damage your machine if they don’t fit correctly.
There are two types of quarter inch presser feet, a plain foot and a foot that has a guide running along the right side.
My preference is the plain foot because using a foot with a guide can result in the fabric riding up the guide and creating a larger than quarter inch seam.
Magnetic Seam Guide
Instead of purchasing a quarter inch foot, you can use a magnetic seam guide. Magnetic seam guides click onto the bed of your machine close to your presser foot. The right side of your fabric runs along the guide and sews a perfect quarter inch seam.
Washi Tape/Painter’sTape
Another tool you can use is Washi Tape or Painter’s Tape to mark the quarter inch on your machine bed (like the magnetic seam guide). You can easily mark a quarter of an inch from your needle with a piece of Washi Tape. The best part is that Washi Tape is easily removed and does not leave residue on your machine bed.
Sewing With Leaders
If you are new to quilting, you may find that your seams at the beginning and end are not quite a quarter of an inch. It is not uncommon to scoot in when starting and ending seams. I have been quilting for 23 years and still do this occasionally. An easy fix is to use a leader when sewing your blocks. A leader is a small piece of scrap fabric that you can sew onto and off of which is placed next to the piece you are sewing. It makes it easier to maintain a quarter inch seam since you are starting the seam on the leader and sewing onto your piece.
Scant Quarter Inch Seams and Why They Don’t Matter
This subject is often debated in quilting. Those who demand perfection sew with a scant quarter inch seam all the time.
A scant quarter inch seam is one thread width smaller than a regular quarter inch seam. I’m 100% serious here.
In order to sew with a scant quarter inch seam, you need to move your needle over one position to the right every time you turn on your sewing machine. Unfortunately, not all sewing machines have the ability to change your needle position. If your machine can, will you remember to do it every time you turn on your sewing machine? I know I wouldn’t.
Do I think it’s worth stressing over? I do not. In my 23 years of quilting, I have never used a scant quarter inch seam.
The only quilt patterns I have found that really require a scant quarter inch seam (otherwise the pattern will not turn out right) are patterns by Lo & Behold Stitchery. An example is the Deco Quilt Pattern. I love Brittany’s patterns, but there are so many small strips and so many joins, that the scant quarter inch seam ensures the quilt top goes together correctly. One day I will make one of her patterns and I will definitely use a scant quarter inch seam then.
Progress over Perfection
Your first quilt blocks will not be perfect and that’s ok. Quilting has a lot of technical skills that you will build on as you continue quilting.
As a result, I want you to focus on proficiency rather than perfection. Perfection leads to second guessing and seam ripping.
I am a recovering perfectionist myself, so I know this is a hard mindset change.
An Exciting Announcement
I am excited to announce that on Saturday, April 18 @ 12 pm EDT I will be going live with my free workshop called Beginner Quilter Kickstart: Essential Tools, Machines and First Steps.
Beginner quilters have lots of questions and I want to answer them. I will present for 45 minutes and the last 15 minutes will be a Q&A where you can ask me anything. Click here to register today. If this workshop is not for you, but you know someone who could benefit, I would appreciate you sharing the link with them.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found value in this article. Use whatever tools work best for you and get sewing.
For more helpful quilting tips and tricks, make sure you follow me on YouTube and BlueSky.