Scant. You'd think such a small word wouldn't have such huge implications. It ought to be insignificant. How much difference could it make - really? Yes, I'm referring to that thing we quilters call a scant 1/4" seam allowance. It's elusive. It's cursed... much-sought-after... and occasionally incomprehensible. Does it really matter? I wish I could give you a definitive answer but there are times when no, it doesn't.