Hi Cuties...Quilting question...Want to quilt 1/4" from the seam on all sides of small shapes...triangles, rectangles, circles, etc. I know I can easily use my walking foot for the long borders and such...but, quilt is big and cannot be easily turned to change direction...I know I can free motion, but other than marking the quilt, how do you keep even 1/4 inch from seam all around? Is there a special foot or other suggestion? A bit tricky to keep lines straight and 1/4" from the seam..Hoping a Cute has the perfect solution...Thanks!

Thanks for asking this question. I learned a lot by reading all the answers. I have seen painters tape used this way - but it was for much larger spacing. You will have your work cut out for you to make the tape of smoothly around the circles. I don't know how to do it, but I think this quilt would have been one that a quilt each block as you go would have been helpful. Good luck. Please post a picture of your quilt when you have it done.

So, I took the plunge today and tooks Mops' suggestion using the 1/4" tape and my free motion foot...worked like a charm. I was actually surprised at how "easy" it was to follow the tape...and I was able to reuse the pieces several times on other blocks. I would say that it was a resounding success. My foot has markings side to side for 1/4" but front to back not a 1/4" Still on lookout for a new foot with 360 degree markings...Hoping, but until then, I'm a tape girl!

If you are doing free motion quilting, it seems to me that you will still have to move the fabric side-to-side even if your needle can stitch side-to-side. The needle will only have a limited sewing distance.

If you use the free motion foot that mops talked about, it should help solve your problem. If you use the 1/4" tape along with that foot, it will give you a more precise seamline, but unless you really really need perfect stitching, "close enough" usually does it for me! Would love to see a photo of your project!

Thanks for the question. I just finished quilting a lap quilt that way using the walking foot and turning at every corner. It's bordered in flying geese so it was a chore to do. I would love to know it there's an easier way.

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by dragonflyer 12 Jul 2012

Amen...I am going to try using the 1/4" tape with my free motion foot that Mops suggested to see how much control I will have...I know, practice makes perfect, but still not sure I'm steady enough for straight lines.

I don't know what kind of machine you have, but I have a Bernina and the walking foot comes with a guide that you put into the side. It can be set at 1/4" and then you just run the guide down the seam. Maybe your machine has something like that available? ;)

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by dragonflyer 12 Jul 2012

Yes, I have walking foot with guide as well, but can't use walking foot without turning the quilt and it's too big and has too many pieces to turn while quilting...needs to be free motion and for that I don't have 1/4" guides on any of my feet...

by jrob 12 Jul 2012

Ah, I see. Then I'd say the 1/4" tape is the way to go. They sell it at JoAnn's Fabric.

Have you made a practice piece-top,batting,backing? Then you can watch to see where the foot touches the seam at approx 1/4" in different directions. The Ellisimo surely should have the directonal sewing, my Ellageo did and the Ellegante does.
As for burying thread, when you start, use the needle down button, then up. Pull up the bobbin thread, hold both top and bottom firmly, and do the up/down lock stitch ,then trim both threads. Do the same at the end, and what tiny ends are left, go down into the quilt as the material relaxes. This does not make a visible knot, as you would get if using the automatic cutting button.
Jo

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by dragonflyer 12 Jul 2012

I have tried a practice piece, but not sure what foot you are referring to..can't use the walking foot..needs to be free motion and with free motion don't think you can use directional sewing(?). Thanks for tip on thread starts/stops!

I see you have many answers, I will leave you with a flower.

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by dragonflyer 12 Jul 2012

Thanks....

Question: why does it have to be a perfekt 1/4 inch seam all around all those shapes, free motion quilting a big quilt is a heavy task, perhaps you can think of an allover design that fits the bill - and if you do each shape on its own you will have a lot of theads to bury too - just my 5 cent 8-)

Like Meg I have the 1/4 in foot with a guide on it. My machine has a feature where it sews forward, backward and to either side. This is so helpful when I am quilting, are you sure your machine will not let you do this. I am machine quilting a king size at this time with this feature I do not have to turn the quilt in all directions./Lillian

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by dragonflyer 11 Jul 2012

Hmmm, interesting and I'm not sure if my machine will sew side to side..I have a Baby Lock Ellisimo and I'll do some research..but still not sure how you consistently sew 1/4" consistently in any direction..What machine do you have? I have the standard 1/4" foot for piecing and such but it's not good for quilting..Only thing I know to do is use walking foot or free motion quilting foot...what foot do you use when quilting with your forward/back/side to side quilting? Thanks...

by dragonflyer 11 Jul 2012

1/4" foot but that doesn't help when quilting, only piecing. Quilting in the center doesn't allow for turning every few inches...thinking I need some kind of free motion foot with 360 degree 1/4" markings...but don't know of one...

by debleerl 12 Jul 2012

Interesting machine Lil; what kind is it.

by lbrow 12 Jul 2012

I have a Babylock Ellegante 2. I press a button it goes forward, button then backwards, button it goes straight right or left and will also goes in diagonal direction

If I understand your problem correctly...My Bernina 1/4" foot has markings or indents on it. If your machine doesn't have such a foot, what you can do is take a permanent very thin black marker and in front of the needle draw a perpendicular line to the stitching like 1/4" away from the needle. That way you will know when you are 1/4 inch away from the next seam in front of the needle.

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by dragonflyer 11 Jul 2012

Not sure what you mean here..I have a 1/4" foot for piecing..no problem. Quilting through all the layers, can't use my 1/4" foot..if you are suggesting marking the quilt with 1/4" lines..don't really want to physically mark each little piece..when quilting in the middle, turning the quilt every couple of inches is not practical...not sure here what you are suggesting..sorry..but thanks for your input..

I couldn't trust myself to sew a 1/4 inch seam after years of sewing 5/8 inch seams, so I purchased a foot with a 1/4 inch guide and it is tremendously helpful.
My favourite seller is Gone-Sewing-Company on US Ebay, he has generic brands to suit just about every machine.
hugs n roses, Meganne

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by mops 11 Jul 2012

I've got one of those, and use it for all my seams, but it is no good for free motion quilting.

by dragonflyer 11 Jul 2012

Yup, have this foot, but not much help when quilting...more for piecing and not for freemotion as mops has noted...thanks for your input!

Get yourself an 'air erase' pen. They come in plenty of colors, draw your 1/4 inch line around each item and stitch on the line. With a little time the ink just fades away and you're left with a nice 1/4 stitching line.

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by dragonflyer 11 Jul 2012

Yeah, but don't want to have to mark around each piece...as a note, somme fade away markers mysteriously return over time and some with ironing...so, be careful about the brand you choose!

When I am working on a large piece I do as the other cuties mentioned and mark for the distance. Also, I tightly roll up as much of the fabric to keep it out of the way and sometimes call whoever is in the house to help hold the bulk.

Put a strip of 1/4 inch masking tape or something along the seam lines, then sew along the edge of the tape? You're sure taking on more than I would, hee hee hee. My old eyes can't deal with small pieces any more, that's my current excuse. My favorite quilt patterns have like 10" squares. Hugs, Marji

When it are straight lines I use 1/4 inch masking tape available in quiltshops (at least that's where I bought mine in the Netherlnds some years ago).
For my Desiner I have a special foot that has 1/4" markings.

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by marjialexa 10 Jul 2012

You & I were thinking alike, Martine, only I didn't even know the tape existed, hee hee hee. Hugs, Marji

by dragonflyer 11 Jul 2012

Ahhh, I have a free motion quilting foot, but it doesn't have a 1/4" marking on all sides. I'll have to try to find one...every time I change direction, I need the 1/4" placement on the foot so it would have to be there all 360degrees...Thanks for showing yours...I'll have to look further.