What is a scant 1/4”?
We have been doing a lot of connecting lately! First of all, connecting with others with similar interests is a highlight for us when we are traveling. Because of this, we decided to attend the 59th Escapade Rally of the Escapees RV Club. It was held at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona from March 17-22. Escapade is the largest and most extensive gathering of the Escapees RV community. It’s a fantastic way to learn more about the RV lifestyle from professionals, as well as from experienced RVers, all while having an amazing time! Escapade packs a wide variety of seminars, social gatherings, nightly entertainment and much more into five, fun-filled days. We even opted to dry camp in the solar boondocking section. There were over 2,400 attendees in attendance and many of them became new friends. We will definitely be going to another rally in the future!
Escapade59 
New RV Friend – Andi 
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Secondly, before the Escapade Rally, we stayed at the San Pedro Resort Community in Benson, Arizona. The resort offers many activities, including quilting! I spent two days with other quilters and absolutely loved every minute of it. It was interesting to see what projects everyone was working on. Throughout the sessions, we talked about upcoming events and that’s how I found out about the St. Patrick’s Day parade they have every year in which everyone drives their decorated golf carts around! Lastly, we got around to sharing what is happening in our lives. I feel fortunate to have new lifelong friends and that was just after two days of quilting together!
#Interwoven Quilt-a-Long
So, it’s been a busy couple of weeks connecting! Next, I thought it might be time to share something on quilting. This won’t apply to everyone, but it is a passion of mine and something I really enjoy. I joined a Quilt-a-Long. It involves a host posting on a blog or website a different tutorial each week that lets quilters at home complete a project by following along. This is perfect for someone traveling in an RV!
The quilt I’m working on has lots of 1-inch fabric strips that are joined together. The quilt pattern is called Interwoven which was designed by Brittany at Lo & Behold Stitchery. I joined her quilt-a-long and received weekly updates to help complete this quilt in six weeks. The quilt-a-long helped me be accountable to keep moving forward on the project each week. I was inspired by seeing photos of all the quilts on Instagram at #interwoven that were also in the quilt-a-long. I’m making the quilt for our new grand baby which will be born sometime in mid-August! Good news, the quilt top is completed and I did it in six weeks time! The next step is to find a backing fabric and get it quilted.
What is a scant 1/4”?
So, what’s the deal with sewing a scant 1/4” seam allowance (pronounced ‘scant quarter inch’)? In order to make this quilt, I had to become a master of sewing this seam allowance. Therefore, if you are a quilter (new or seasoned), continue reading to learn why it is important and how to sew a scant 1/4” seam to get perfect blocks every time. If you aren’t a quilter, just realize there is actually a science to quilting in order to ensure all the blocks come together easily without stretching the fabric to make them fit.
If you usually sew a true 1/4” seam, you probably don’t realize your thread and your pressed seam actually make your finished block size to be short of the required finished dimension. So, if you are working on your blocks and you always seem to be “just a little bit off”, then you will need to adjust your sewing machine needle so you actually sew a scant 1/4” seam instead.
How do you sew a scant 1/4”?
How do you do this? Get out your sewing machine’s presser foot you like to use, i.e., 1/4” foot, zig-zag foot or satin stitch foot. Then, if your sewing machine has a needle adjustment, move it so you can sew your fabric together so it’s just shy of a 1/4”.
After finding the correct position for the scant 1/4″ seam, adjust your machine to that needle position every time you sew. Once you get this figured out, make sure your needle is in this position every time you are quilting. You will have exact perfect blocks every time you need to sew them together!
Steps to get a ‘scant’ 1/4” inch every time:
- Cut (2) 1 1/4″ x 2″ rectangles. Sew along the 2″ length with right sides together. Press seam in one direction.
- Measure the block to see if it is a 2″ x 2″ square.
- If the block is short, your needle will need to shift to the right.
- If the block is too long, your needle will need to shift to the left.
- Shift the needle one or two notches at a time until you find the correct spot where the block measures exactly 2″ x 2″.
*If your sewing machine does not have a needle adjustment, you will have to experiment until you find the correct fabric location to get a scant 1/4” every time. Mark that location by adhering an adhesive guide to the right of the line (Dr. Scholl’s molefoam pads work great for this). Double check to ensure it’s in the right spot.
In conclusion…
In conclusion, spending just a few minutes to adjust your machine to a scant 1/4” will save you many headaches in the future. The term scant means just a thread shy of a 1/4”. If you never test it, you don’t realize your thread and pressed seam take up some additional space in the measurement, usually resulting in blocks being short of their required finished dimension.
I admit I have been a “just a little bit off” kind of quilter. After I learned how easy it is to get perfect seams, my quilting has gone to the next level! I’m so proud of my quilts now! And, when seams come together, it’s fun to see your quilt come together easily and quickly! No more stretching the fabric in order for the seams to line up!
Find Joy in the Journey – Heidi of Loving the RV Life
Your scant story reminds me of the way woodworkers like Phil do their measuring. Phil always has to allow a fraction for the thickness of the saw blade. The photo you shared was a great illustration! Precision is obviously super important for quilting!! So glad you’re getting time to do your passion! … and meeting other quilters.
I like how you two are able to stay put for a while. Our trip has had a little too much daily driving and not enough down time so we’re thiking next big trip we’ll make more reservations ahead of time AND staying longer in each spot.
That photo of roofs was amazing, seeing how MANY of you were there!
It’s nice you’re making so many new friends. They are blessed to meet you.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks, Rollie, for being one of my faithful supporters in reading my blog when it comes out. It takes me awhile to do, but I really enjoy writing and learning all about WordPress too! Yes, on your next trip, take time to not go as far and stay put. We love it when we have at least a week in an area. Then we can really check out the vibe of the area, relax and do some exploring. When we end up not needing to use the GPS any longer, then we know we have gotten to know the area!
So glad you had a wonderful time in Bensen and at the Escapade! Exciting times are ahead with a grand baby on the way. The quilt pattern is beautiful!
Julie, thanks for continuing to read my blogs! You were my inspiration to get it started!
Oh Heidi. I love seeing the pics you post and reading your blog. Enjoy everyday of your RV life! My parents had an airstream trailer. AKA sivlerbullet. They belonged to an Airstream club that would meet annually and thousands of airstreams would “rally” in a certain host state/town. They were only able to enjoy retirement of 8 years before dad passed unexpectedly. SO ENJOY EVERYDAY!!
I love your scant quarter inch tutorial. For as long as I have been quilting and going to Lake Beauty I really have not done this. I’ve heard about it forever but never took the time. Today I will, thanks to you!!
Another tutorial I just watched showed how if you have a thick seam to go over or if you are starting out with a thick seam as with a corner of your binding. Take a thick fingernail file. The padded kind. Put it right behind your needle under your pressure foot. It will raise the back half of your foot to the right height!
Hello, Jane! Thanks for reading my blog! Hope you were able to get to Lake Beauty Quilt Retreat this year! I love your quilting tip for starting out with a think seam to use a padded fingernail file. I hadn’t heard of that one before. Makes sense though!!
It was wonderful meeting you both at Escapade!
We’ve had lots of family time and experiences since we saw you. Just read all your blogs. Keep up the good work and let’s try to stay in touch.
Andi
Andi! So nice to hear that you have had lots of family time and experiences! I would love to stay in touch more as well! Where are you now and what are your plans this fall/winter?
Hello Heidi –
I so enjoyed this article about quilting. What do you do with your creations after they are finished? Is each one targeted to go to someone special? And how are things going with the wall hangings that you started before going RV-ing full time?
We have 13 weeks to retirement. Yahoo! I can’t wait to run into you two on the road somewhere.
Hello, Jocelyn! I can’t wait to meet you on the road too! So excited for you to experience retirement! Usually, my quilt creations go to someone that I have in mind to give too. Though, I am starting a quilt-a-long project this week that isn’t targeted to someone yet. I do have some UFO projects that were pre-RVing that I brought with, but I just started on working on them again. We are 4 months on the road now and I seem to have a rhythm now so can dedicate more time to quilting!
Heidi, are you quilting with a standard sewing machine or a serger? If the former, how are you avoiding fraying with such a small amount of seam allowance?
Also, do you stabilize your fabric before cutting it?
Finally, what equipment do you travel with? I love my Bernina, but it is heavy. Sewing is not a “small” hobby.
Lorraine, you are my quilting sister! I have a Husqvarna Quilting Designer sewing machine that weights 24 lbs. It is not a serger, not sure how you can get a scant 1/4” on a serger. I have not stabilized my fabric before cutting. Yes, quilting is not a small hobby. We have a Class A 35’ Tiffin Motorhome and Mark let’s me have the space under the bed for my fabric and projects and the sewing machine goes in the back closet. Happy quilting to you!