THE ¼" SEAM

You’ve been sewing a ¼” seam a long time. Do you use a ¼” foot? A piece of tape on your flat bed? A groove on your throat plate?

Regardless of your method, you also have your own way of feeding patchwork pieces through your machine. Your Rookie knows nothing about patchwork. Make sure she/he is comfortable sewing ¼” seams from the git-go. It's critical for success.

Our advice:

• Ahead of time, follow the instructions below to take the test yourself.
• Once you’ve welcomed your Rookie, demonstrate the seam test. Show how two joined squares measure 5½” raw edge to raw edge.
• Guide your Rookie through the test. Repeat as needed.
• You don’t have to call it a test!

¼” SEAM TEST

1. Cut two 3” squares of fabric.
2. Align cut edges of squares and sew together along one side, using presser foot, tape edge, or throat plate groove as guide.
3. Remove patchwork from machine.
4. Finger press seam allowances in one direction.
5. Measure across squares. The seamed squares should measure exactly 5½”. If they don’t, HOLD YOUR MOUTH IN A DIFFERENT POSITION AND TRY AGAIN.

My original Rookie had problems until she popped over to a drug store for a pair of reading glasses!
–Marianne Fons.