How to get a perfect scant 1/4″ Seam Allowance
What is a scant 1/4″? It’s important in quilting because it is just shy of a full 1/4″. It accommodates the thickness of the thread used to sew the seam.
You need 2 – 2″ x 2″ squares of scrap fabric.
A Perfect Piecing Seam Guide (from Perkins Dry Goods) makes the job of marking your machine bed OR moving your needle to the right easy! The Perfect Piecing Seam Guide has a hole drilled through it, which makes it really easy to get the placement just right.If you don’t have one of these tools, use any small ruler. Line up the needle just to the right of the 1/4″ line, put the presser foot down to hold it in place and mark your machine bed with tape or post-it notes.
Sew a scant 1/4″ seam along one side of the paired 2″ squares.
Press seam to one side.
The unit should measure 2″ x 3-1/2″.
Quilter’s math: 2″ + 2″ = 4, minus 1/2″ seam allowance = 3-1/2″
You are good to go!
