Perfecting Your ¼" Seams - Tips & Tricks from the Tucker Team

[@grandmommu8815]

I like how you stacked the tape and trimmed for a straight line. Awesome. And using graph paper is genius. Thank you so much. When I was learning to sew on my mother’s Featherweight in the 1960s, sewing clothes, I used a bandaid as a guide for 5/8th inch seams. The pad of the bandaid was my “block”. Of course with that kind of sewing, long straight seams were not required often.

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Glad you enjoyed the tip!

[@barbararowe771]

I love the approach to have ledge behind the needle, too. The perfect scant 1/4” is my Achilles heel. I believe this will finally get me there. DT delivers again! Thank you.

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

You're welcome, and good luck!

[@QuiltTheDayAway]

Excellent tutorial!

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Thank you!

[@duarteshelia]

Learned something new tonight taking the strip all way back. Great idea.

[@cindymcfarland4686]

So very happy you are making more videos! I watched your first ones from years ago and was so blown away, then you didn't make any for quite some time. Happy that you are back doing them now! I have all your rulers and many patterns and even took a class from you in NY. I appreciate your time and willingness to show us your techniques!

[@trudiebudnik3029]

Thank you for your clear and helpful tricks and tips Deb.

[@barbararowe771]

Scant 1/4” seams, the bane of my existence until now. I think I can again set up a shelf at the correct distance this time. THANK YOU!

[@johannepaquette969]

You are an excellent teacher and so articulate. Thank you so much for the trim and notch tip!

[@maryanngalindo7101]

Thank you 😊

[@bjune1285]

Love this video. I have struggled with my seam allowance for a long time and get so frustrated! My eye sight isn't so good anymore! This will really help. Thank you so much.

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Glad it was helpful!

[@imageryfrombeyondartbyalia5317]

Thank you for explaining the "scant ¼" so clearly! I'd been struggling with this trying to make friendship stars,

[@bobh4060]

Thank you Deb. Your tutorial is fully of excellent advice, that I appreciate very much.

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

You are so welcome!

[@imaaussieowner]

Where have you been for all my quilting life? Thx for the video

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

ahaha, well at least you've found me now! I hope you'll check out some of the other great Tips & Tricks videos I have up too 💜

[@mgs783]

I really like how you explained all the aspects of what each is and how to measure. Thank you, I can’t wait to implement your suggestions to better gauge the 1/4 & scant 1/4 inches❣️👍

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Snowdrifft]

Thanks for clearing up that mystery of a scant 1/4 inch I keep hearing about! I had bought a seam guide for my machine but it was to short. I like this better I was using washi tape but I think painters tape sticks better. Thank you!

[@huisuk]

Thanks

[@yx6889]

Great tip! Thanks Deb, appreciate your time and advice!

[@jylromain6439]

That's an excellent explanation of a scant seam. I do use a seam guide that sticks on but I have a front loading bobbin so my guide has to be short. I never thought of snipping out the little part though. Definitely going to do that. I really enjoy your videos.

[@kerryl4031]

Ooh thank you - I like the snipping out the little part. I currently use a sticky purple thing but I can only go so far with it. I even drew a line on the machine but it smudged. Oopsie! I like your idea much more! :D

[@fayhinsch5404]

Thank you for this tip. I have had a difficult time keeping my seams straight. Now I know what to do. ❤️

[@andressergio1532]

I know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid lost the password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@claudiaforrest6669]

Awesome!😊

[@ktmcsews]

Thanks for this!! I will give it a try!!

[@pmvillalobos]

Please tell us about your lighting for your sewing machine.

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

The light that I am using is called the Slimline 3 from the Daylight company. It is the best light for over your sewing machine, it gives so much great light.

[@fayestratton7955]

I used to use painter's tape until I spied a leftover roll of Contact tape. (mounting tape) I marked the 1/4" line on my machine and put the tape in place. Yes, it has a piece of paper on top....leave it. You will have hours of sewing and before it starts to lift. As fabric and thread debris collects, it will act like a sticky fabric roller and it will not be sticky. This works like magic for me. Taught my 9 yr.old neice to sew my strips using the tape while I work on the next step. Make sure not to go over your bobbin area. I use a piece behind of and in front of the bobbin case. Hope it works for all of you who try

[@CorinaBarker]

Great trick!

[@katrina6955]

Thank you, I can only sew with one arm. So my right arm typically tries to hold fabric straight - I'm going to also try to tape my stiletto to my other arm to guide fabric under sewing machine. Thank you again

[@pamelavance648]

Always see the Possibilities Once I had injury couldn't use the left shoulder or arm I used the tie from my robe hooked on door grip handle so I could close the car door because I couldn't stretch from the other side without pain Necessities makes us very creative And stick shift car ha ha sometimes you gotta figure it out lol 😆 Don't know your situation but Kudos to you for continuing to enjoy your sewing

[@TheJAG1357]

Great tip and instructions. Thank you

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Glad it was helpful! 💜

[@Coastalanne54]

I'm going to try this , thanks

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Hope you enjoy!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Regarding ledges: The holes in the bed of a machine are for a number of things, to include a metal seam guide. My preferences is to use a seam guide if I'm not sewing with my Bernina gated foot, and I use that with a needle click to the right typically. It has the advantage of being sturdy (v. flimsy metal on some) and can ride over seams/pins if necessary as there is a little spring on it. (All terrain foot). It also works well as a guide when you have to sew 1/4" away from a line. Because the edge sits in front of the foot, you can very easily see that you are on your mark v. the side of the presser foot. Aside: My favorite piecing machine is a 1946 Kenmore (by White) Rotary Deluxe! The foot on that is a perfect scant 1/4". Of course the needle does not move and it does one thing and one thing only : a perfect straight stitch! (and of course has the single hole so no fabric falls into the abyss). Note that if you have a straight stitch plate, you can move one click (I think up to two) and not abrade against the edge of the hole. But any should test for their machine and set up to ensure appropriate clearance. Making test blocks for the thread, fabric and pressing techniques that you are using for your project (and the number of seams in a block) is the best guide for determining where along the perfect-scant spectrum you need to be. Small differences add up along multiple seams. My perfect scant 1/4" ended up too scant for a 3" 9 patch. Also worth noting, that for your wonderful rulers, if one doesn't quite hit the mark (so long as the line is straight), your trim downs are going to fix any bob or jiggle--which is the beauty of them. I always recommend your products because I use them and trust them.

[@nancylake4061]

Using this now.

[@nursekate6772]

A tip for making your tape ledge. Instead of tearing separate lengths of tape, use an Exacto knife and cut several layers off of the roll at one time, then you peel the stack and they are already aligned. 😁

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

This is another way that this can be done. There are many ways this can be done.

[@zulemasarinana9218]

I will sure try this method. I sometimes have problems getting a true 1/4” allowance in my sewing. Thanks!

[@denisestilling2810]

I find post-it notes so much easier than masking tape...no trimming of stacked masking tape necessary.

[@pamelavance648]

Yesss i forgot about that easier to change bobbin when needed with post it notes. I like length of masking tape too

[@gillhurst3441]

Thanks for the tip but I have a small problem my bobbin case would be in the way, I will have to remove the tape to change the bobbin.

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Many times quilters will put the tape on and then cut the tape where the top has to come off to change your bobbin.

[@christinemedina6304]

I'm new to quilting so I'm wondering why you would use a scan 1/4 of an inch?

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

A scant 1/4" seam helps make the 1/4" seam and pieced pieces more accurate when you press the seam. It also helps when you have fabrics that are a bit thicker, as the thicker the fabric the more space it takes up in the seam. So that is the main reason for using a scant 1/4" seam.

[@Angelintercesor]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍

[@suecrane1999]

Now why didn’t I ever think about the cut out part???

[@DebTuckersStudio180Design]

Well, you might not have thought of it, but I hope you'll use the tip going forward!

[@megegert861]

I couldn’t follow this. I will watch many more times. I see the logic/reason to do this but can’t follow the instructions