The quarter inch foot with a fabric quide really helps in making a quarter inch seam. I have no idea how one would make a scant quarter. I know it is the width of the needle difference. Some of the fancy machines have a setting for this, I believe, but I have a cheap machine that doesn't. I don't know why machines don't come with a quarter inch foot with a fabric guide. Their quilting foot is for quilting, not sewing patches. I may need to buy another foot as my fabric guide is bending out of shape. It only cost me $5, so I am not complaining. My blocks seem to be coming out at 12 1/2 inches, so I must be close. I do wish they were a little bigger as I'd like to be sure they were square.