This blog is about tips and tools that can help newbies just starting out with quilt piecing and those veterans who might not have ever tried. I created this blog because of the Virtual Quilters Guild who challenged us to create and do tasks that are on a bingo card. I have had a lot of fun playing the game. Today I will share different little tools that quilters use to keep that 1/4” seam allowance true to their sewing. Some use them and others don’t use anything. They visually see it and sew it!
When I first started learning to piece quilt blocks I was sewing on an inexpensive Singer Sewing machine. It didn’t have any fancy pressure feet, and at the time I didn’t know I would probably need at least one for piecing to improve sewing that 1/4” seam allowance. I watched a few YouTube videos, and when I was in the United States visiting my kids, I had the opportunity to go to a Fresno Quilt show where I sat through a small seminar about different types of tools the speaker uses and recommends for new quilters.
One of the tools the speaker recommended was a roll of washy tape that had the markings for the 1/4” seem marked on it. The tape is called Diagonal Seam Tape by Clue Clue Sew. I bought mine from Fat Quarter Shop and whenever I need to get more that is where I order it from since I live in Greenland and can’t buy anything like this there.
What you do is take a rule and line up that 1/4” line in line with the sewing machine needle. When you sew you use the tape guide to line the fabric edge up with the tape and run through the machine.
The Second tool recommended is Sewing Edge Reusable Vinyl Stop By Quilt with Marci Baker. This little tool is awesome because you can remove it and reuse it multiple times. I have been using one piece and removed it so many times to change my bobbin for over a year or longer before it finally needed replacement. It doesn’t leave that sticky residue like stickers do. This product can also be purchased from Fat Quarter Shop. I used this parallel to my sewing machine foot.
What I did was use a ruler to line up that 1/4” line and put down the “Sewing Edge” tape right against where the 1/4” lines up with the needle. I used this along with the Diagonal seam tape in tandem with each other.
The above two products saved my life during that time of sewing on my little singer. It helped keep me grounded while sewing the seam allowance. I really like that both products don’t leave a residue on the machine as well.
When my “Heart Light” bought me a Janome 6700P it came with all kinds of pressure feet! It is amazing how many came with it. One of the feet that it came with is the 1/4” piecing quilt! That had me excited! I use the foot for everything I piece that needs a 1/4” seam allowance except for when I’m paper piecing. It can’t be used for that.
The Janome has a setting where when the 1/4” is put on the shank, the machine knows which one is on it and then all I have to do is press a number to set the machine to a 1/4” seam allowance. Whoever created the foot along with programming the machine to do this is a genius! I still wanted to use the Sewing edge and the diagonal seam tape but at some point, I stopped using both of them. My skill set has improved so much that I no longer need a helping hand. I recommend this foot to anyone whose machine will accept one.
Another nifty gadget Magnetic Seam Guide can be used to make the seam allowance more accurate. The built-in magnet is strong enough to stay in place while sewing.
The next thing I am going to share is called Clearly Perfect Angles. I have not used it but want to test-run it when doing pieces at angles. It’s made from a product that will stick to the sewing bed without leaving any residue. It’s color coded for easy use and it has 1/4” and 5/8” seam guides on it. It helps make 45° angles more accurate. This company also made a tool called the Slotted Trimmer. Both of these tools can be found on the Fat Quarter Shop page as well.
The last tool I recommend is the Add a Quarter. I have both the original one that came out along with the Plus ruler. I use both of them a low when I’m paper piecing. It’s a handy tool. Each seam should be trimmed down to a 1/4” when paper piecing. The ruler has a ridge on it so that it locks down on the same and makes trimming easy! Both of the rulers I mentioned can also be found on Fat Quarter Shop!
If I think of more little tools or tips I will add them to the bottom of this blog. I had fun coming up with a little blog about what I used when I first started out. 🙂 🙂
Living Greenland 