bettyannseeman wrote:

This is what I do too. Works great!

Thanks everyone for the tips!! My next block is Drunkard's path! I will use the tips here to cut the fabric! Thanks!!

Use two mechanical pencils. Put them side by side placing small strips of card board between them until the leads are 1/4 inch apart. Wrap both pencils the full length with masking tape. When you follow the edge of the template with one pencil, the other one will mark the 1/4 inch line. Betty Ann

Here's a tip that I use. Buy a roll of 1/4" Quilters tape (it's masking tape in a small roll and found in any chain store, Hobby Lobby or quilt shop).

I take a small piece of it and tape it to my left thumb nail, from base to tip. I can place my thumb along the edge of my pattern and mark with a marking pen. Since I am brave, I usually take my scissors and just cut without marking. For cleaner edges, move the fabric as you slowly make a long, slow cut with the fabric scissors.

Back to the tape-on-the-thumb. I do this all the time when I need to eyeball 1/4". I use it when I need to pin at outside or inset seam lines on any shape. Just lay your thumb where you need to see the 1/4" and mark or pin. I don't have to pick up a tool or hold anothe object in one of my hands.

I did a Drunkard Path type pattern that I cut with a rotary cutter using a template and I sewed that by machine with a quarter inch seam allowance and it turned out okay. Otherwise for curved seams I marked the seam line (not allowance line) and match seam line and sew on the seam line. That way if my cut line is not accurate I still sew accurate.

Your best bet might be to mark the shape on the sewing line with fabric marking pen. that way if your 1/4 inch seam is not consistent it is not a big deal.

Jean

Hello, everyone,

I am working on some blocks, which I trace the finished blocks from the books onto freezer paper and then cut the fabrics adding 1/4" allowance. I have been having no problems for straight line shape, square, triangles, hexagon, etc. until today I am tracing something with curve and free line! It is hard to trace them already and I found it is hard to cut fabric too!

At first I just eye ball 1/4" and cut the fabric. However, I wasn't consistent. The inconsistent allowance brings much trouble now, very time consuming to pin a lot in order to align the inconsistent allowance.

Is there any tool or any thing I can use to add consistent allowance while working on curves and irregular shapes?

Thanks!!!