This post contains affiliate links for which I receive compensation

Seam allowance for quilting

What is the seam allowance when sewing strips together?

Reply

The standard seam allowance in most quilting instructions is 1/4".

If you are piecing patches together (or strips in your case) you'll sometimes see it as a 'scant quarter inch seam'. The 'scant' part means a thread or two short of 1/4" so that when the seam is pressed open, the 'turn of the cloth' in the seam allowance doesn't make the pieced patch smaller than it should be.

You can do a quick sewing test as described here to make sure that you've got your sewing machine set for a good quarter inch seam. It's not hard and only takes a couple of minutes.

For applique, the 1/4" seam is usually a 'suggested' seam allowance--some appliquers like a narrower one to turn under.

The only time I deviate from 1/4" seams is when I'm joining lengths of fabric for my quilt's backing...then I use a 1/2" seam for strength.

So since you are strip piecing, yes, your seam allowance should be 1/4" unless the pattern you are using indicates something else.

Thank you for your question.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor

Click here to post comments

Return to GQP's Quilting Forum.


This article was printed from Generations-Quilt-Patterns.com

Print Article

Follow Us