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How to Make a Quarter-Inch Seam on a Regular Sewing Machine

Most sewing machines do not have a guideline for sewing a 1/4-inch seam. While you can invest in a presser foot designed to allow you to sew 1/4-inch seams, there may be a time when you need to sew a 1/4-inch seam right away and cannot wait to buy a new presser foot. With a ruler and some tape or other thin but sturdy material, you can make your own 1/4-inch seam marker on a standard sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

Sewing machine
Ruler or measuring tape
Masking or painter's tape
Brown paper bag cut into thin strips, or an old credit or identification card
Scissors
2 1-inch-wide strips of fabric
Thread
Iron and ironing board

Instructions

- 1
  Lift up the presser foot on your sewing machine and turn the knob to raise the needle to the greatest height.
- 2
  Place the ruler or measuring tape under the needle and presser foot. Line up the 1/4-inch mark of the ruler or measuring tape with the point of the needle. Lower the needle so that it touches the 1/4-inch mark to make sure it's aligned. Raise the needle again.
- 3
  Cut a small piece of the masking tape. Press the piece of masking tape against the face plate of the sewing machine, straight against the "0" side of the ruler or measuring tape. Remove the ruler or measuring tape.
- 4
  Lay a strip of brown paper or an old plastic credit card on top of the small piece of tape. Position the card or piece of paper so that it is as straight as possible. Line up the bottom edge of the card or paper with the bottom edge of the face plate. Layer a few more strips of brown paper, if using, on top of the first strip to make a thick ridge.
- 5
  Tape the card or paper down, being sure to keep everything straight and aligned with the 1/4-inch edge of the initial piece of tape.
- 6
  Thread the sewing machine and test the 1/4-inch mark for accuracy by sewing two 1-inch pieces of fabric together. Place the fabric pieces on top of each other and sew along the long edge, pushing the edge of the fabric against the card or brown paper.
- 7
  Iron the seam flat and measure the width of each strip of fabric at the top, middle and bottom. Both pieces should be exactly 3/4 of an inch wide at all three spots. If they are not, recheck the positioning of the strip or card and adjust as needed.

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