When making clothes from a pattern, a 5/8" ” seam allowance is included in the pattern. When quiltmaking, the seam allowance is usually 1/4". If you are making quilts for the first time, and have made clothes, it will be an adjustment for you.

In quiltmaking, marking, cutting and sewing an accurate 1/4" seam is important to the overall finished look of your quilt. For example: If you sew eight seams in one block and four in another, but use a 3/8" seam instead of a 1/4" seam, the eight seam block will be 1/2" smaller than the four seam block.

As with any skill, accuracy comes with practice. Take each piecing problem and use it as a learning experience. And then practice, practice, practice.

Listed below are some guidlines that may help you when adding seam allowances to squares. You should draft out any odd shapes to be sure you have an accurate seam allowance.

For a Square:
Take the size of the finished square that you want in your quilt and add 1/2". This is 1/4" on each side.

Example Shown: 3/4" square + 1/2" seam allowance = Cut a 1-1/4" square.

For Half-Square Triangles:
Take the finished size of the square that you want in your quilt and add 7/8". This includes the inside diagonal seam as well as the outside seams.

Example Shown: 1" square + 7/8" seam allowance = Cut a 1-7/8" square.

For Quarter-Square Triangles:
Take the finished size of the square you want in your quilt and add 1- 1/4". This includes two diagonal seams as
well as the outside seams.

Example Shown: 1/2" square + 1-1/4" seam allowance = Cut a 1-3/4" square.