Absolutely, I have learnt more in the couple of weeks I've been trawling this forum and the wider TQS site than I have at any class, including this thread. Thank you folks. I am staggered at what I am achieving now even with a borrowed machine.

And I was really surprised when we did the Wot Rott exchange where we pressed the seams open because that really made the reels bigger than they needed to be so the seam allowance had to be made slightly bigger to compensate. I now know that if I am pressing the seams open it will make the finished block bigger. And Becky you are right about learning from the internet - I do the same because classes here are either non-existent or not convenient for me. Three cheers for TQS!

I am thinking the only time really accurrate 1/4 " seam allowances are really important is when we all join in an exchange and want HST's or reels to turn out the same size for all of us. If you are doing all the piecing yourself consisentency is the important thing. Another instance would be when you follow a pattern and expect your finished quilt to be a certain size and the pattern calls for 1/4" seams you'd need to be sure your seams use no more or less than the 1/4" allowed. Otherwise, on a large quilt your finished piece could be a number of inches larger or smaller than you planned. Don't ask me how I know that!

thank you all!
it all started, when i saw some internet video's that the teacher said take a 1/4" seem not scant, then i was confused, it seems that some of blocks asks for scant and some asks for non scant.
as you can figure out, i am autodidact hobby quilter, so i never took any quilt lessons, i learned and learn all the time from the internet.
including from you guys

Thanks useful video

Reetzbobeetz wrote:

Thanks Rita! I had forgotten about that video!

And then there is this little video of Margo's which I found a great help.

[url]daily-blog/103-good-advice/14745-margos-test-for-14-seam-accuracy[/url]

I agree with the others, unless the pattern calls for a scant 1/4" seam I stick with the usual 1/4" and trim the block to size. Consistency is the key, whatever you start with, keep doing it.

Beckyezra I just looked at your quilts and wow! Your first quilt was a lone star quilt :shock: and you are asking others about seam allowances.

I think the key is to keep your seam allowance consistent. If you start out scant--continue through the whole quilt doing scant. I also try to use the same ruler to cut with and start and finish on the same sewing machine.

Margo wrote: I'm with you Margo, the size on the front is more important than the size of your seam allowances. Seam allowances, in my book, are there for fudging, when pieces don't fit, because although the theory is that you have cut an extra 1/4" for the seams, somehow it doesn't always work out in practise. And besides, after it is layered up and quilted who is going to know

thanks!

I've seen it said scant for applique but otherwise patterns say 1/4". However there was a discussion I read about the seam allowance being affected by the thickness of the thread which is far too technical for me and with the accuracy of my seams it wouldn't make a lot of difference.

As Margo says it's the size of the pieces after sewing. If in doubt I cut bigger and trim down but that doesn't really answer your question. Why did you ask?

Becky, I am of the school of thought that your seam allowance doesn't really matter at all!!!

What MATTERS is how large the pieces are after you have sewn your seams!

Maybe my seam allowance test will help you decide: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569415726bHNKHF

i wonder if there is a rule for what pattern you use scan seem elauance and which patterns you use regular seem alouance? * spelling sorry