AboutConnie Hester Expertise Quilting and applique expert.Can advise on the following topics:quilting, art quilts, quilt design and construction, machine and hand quilting, paper foundation piecing, machine piecing, hand piecing, raw edge applique, turned-edge applique and fiber art.
Experience Winning awards in international fiber and art competitions since 1983; http://www.conniehester.com/
BS,MS
See my work and books at http://www.conniehester.com/
Expert: Connie Hester Date: 11/25/2004 Subject: Using Templates
Question Connie,
I am new to quilting. In fact I have'nt yet begun. I am reading a book to teach myself how to quilt. I am confused about how to use quilting templates. Do you always add a 1/4 inch when cutting around the template whether you are going to hand piece or machine piece? The book seems to be telling me you add the extra only if machine piecing. On the example templates in the book some have the extra 1/4 inch line on them and some don't. When you buy templates to they tell you if you should add the extra or not? I hope you can clear this up for me.
Thanks,
Lee Ann
Answer Hi, LeeAnn,
Boy, it sounds like this book is quite confusing! Each template should say whether or not the seam allowance has been included in it. The seam allowance would be 1/4". If it is an applique pattern, we want to draw around the actual finished shape of the piece and then cut beyond that drawn line 1/8"-1/4" (which will then be turned under). The drawn line shows us the edge to be turned under. If it is going to be raw-edge appliqued, however, a seam allowance would not be added at all. So hopefully, the instructions for the projects are thorough enough for the use of each template.
For machine piecing, since a consistent 1/4" seam allowance is always used and a line-to-follow is then not always necessary (because the presser foot or needle position is set to automatically sew a 1/4" seam), the templates themselves usually include the seam allowance already so it doesn't have to be added (thus also adding another step before cutting out the fabric).
Hope this helps.
