Before you begin quilting, there’s one thing you should do in order to be ready . . .
Test your 1/4″ seam allowance on your sewing machine.
Every machine is just a bit different, and some have a 1/4″ foot attachment that works really well, but if you don’t have the attachment, and sometimes, even if you do have the attachment, you need to test your 1/4″ seam for accuracy. If your seam allowance is off, even just a fraction, then as you sew, this only gets multiplied over and over again, and then things start to come out wrong and not fit together neatly.
For this exercise, you’ll need 3 strips that are cut 1 1/2″ wide by at least 6″ long. First of all, make sure your cutting is accurate, because if errors occur at this stage, you can still have problems, even if your seam allowance is perfect.
Sew two of these strips together down one long side, and press the seam to one side.
Sew the remaining strip to this piece down one long side, and again press the seam to one side.
Now, take your ruler to the finished piece. The strip in the middle should measure exactly ONE inch wide.
If it’s more than one inch, then your seam allowance is too small, and you need to take a bit deeper seam.
If it’s less than one inch, then you’re taking too deep a seam, and need to make your seam closer to the raw edge.
Make any necessary adjustments, and repeat the above sequence until your middle strip comes out exactly one inch. Make sure you mark or know where this spot is on your sewing machine so that you can repeat your perfect results every time, and you’re all set to go!
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