Video Tutorial :: Sewing a 1/4″ Seam Allowance

I have come into patchwork and quilting from a dressmaking background and I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard that there was only a 1/4″ seam allowance it was the one thing that made me most nervous….a quarter of an inch is just so small!!

All (most?) P&Q patterns are designed with a 1/4″ seam allowance so it’s something that you get used to pretty quickly. By using a 1/4″ seam allowance you are reducing fabric wastage and minimising bulky seams which can be tricky to deal with, particularly on more complicated blocks. The less excess there is the better!

Using an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance will mean that you get the best results possible. Your finished block will measure accurately, your finished project will be the size intended and you are more likely to have points and seams that match. Having points that match are really not the be-all and end-all, please don’t obsess about it. Having said that there is a feeling of joy and relief when they do!

I’ve filmed a short video showing you how I check that I’m sewing an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance. I share with you some tips on using both a standard sewing machine presser foot and a quarter inch foot.

I hope you’ve found the video useful. There is so much to learn when you are new to patchwork and quilting, but the ¼” seam allowance is a good place to start!

Thank you for watching and if you’ve enjoyed it give it a ‘like’ or better yet share with someone that may find it useful. Also, don’t forget that if you subscribe to my YouTube channel you’ll be notified when I upload my next video.

Have you seen my free tutorial for a brick style quilt? I have a blog post with a load of pictures and there was a demonstration on Sewing Quarter. There’s a link to the show in the blog post.