Ladies of the Lake  Quilt Guild

Test your 1/4" seams!
 

THE LOG TEST

1/4 Inch Seam Allowance TEST—Test yourself-all skill levels!

 

Making a quilt block for Block of the Month is fun to do, however, when it comes to the winner of the Block of the Month sewing the blocks together, problems can arise. The blocks are usually all different in sizes due to a wide assortment of quarter inch seams, causing difficulty piecing the blocks together accurately.

Whatever your experience level, this test will benefit the end product. It also instills confidence that the blocks you win or the block you contribute will “measure up” - by the ruler that is!

This test is quick and easy. Adjust your quarter inch seam allowance by following the guidelines of the test to insure the greater likelihood that all blocks will be the same size.

As a bonus, when  you’re done, you can make a mug mat for your coffee or drink!

THE TEST:

1.  Cut 6 strips 1-1/2” by 6-1/2”. (I used two contrasting fabrics for better visibility.)

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2. Using two strips sew them carefully, right sides together, keeping the sides exactly matching down the long edge, using a SCANT 1/4 inch seam.

 

 

3. Press the seam open using a Seam Roller, finger press, or very lightly press with an iron using an up and down motion. There should be no pleats or tucks in the seam. Be careful not to stretch or pull on the seam.

 

 

4. Take a moment to measure the sewn strip set. It should measure across 2-1/2 inch EXACTLY.

If not, you’ll need to correct your seam allowance.

If your strip set is smaller, adjust your seams smaller. If possible move your needle to the right. If you are using a 1/4" foot, eyeball a spot slightly in from the edge of the foot to make the seam smaller. And/or you can put a piece of tape on the bed of your machine to help guide the fabric.

If your strip set is larger, adjust your seams larger. If possible move your need to the left. If using a 1/4" foot, eyeball a spot slightly out from the edge of the foot to make the seam larger. and/or place a piece of tape on the bed of your machine to help guide the fabric.

Check out this YouTube video if you are still having problems.

 

5. When you have worked out your seam allowance, continue to sew all 6 strips together into a “rail fence” block, being careful to use the same 1/4” seam allowance.

TIP: When sewing strips, alternate sewing direction to avoid fabric distortion from the pressure foot.

 

 

 

6. Without over-pulling or stretching, press all seams open on the wrong side. (Seam Roller works best.) Lightly press with iron using up and down motion.

 

 

 

7. Measure across the logs and down the center. The block should measure EXACTLY 6-1/2”.

The logs should measure 1-1/4”, 1”, 1”, 1”, 1”, 1-1/4” (also exactly).

 

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