sewannie

Hello, I'm new to quilting and have a question as I begin my first quilt. I've decided to start my particular quilt with fat quarters. I've noticed that the print is crooked on one of the fq. I've tried to gently stretch the fabric diagonally from both sides and the print is still crooked. Is there anything that I can do to make it straight? I don't want to wash or soak it, as I really don't want to pre-wash all of the fat quarters. I only need to cut (2) 9.5" blocks from each fat quarter. Should I just make sure that the print is cut straight when I cut the blocks? Or will this cause a problem once I put the quilt together.

I'm excited to start this journey and look forward to learning all about quilting.

Thank you!

NJ Quilter

Welcome from NJ. I think the bigger question is the the design printed crooked on the fabric or is the FQ cut crooked? Are you familiar enough with fabric and sewing in general to know about finding the straight of grain of your fabric?

If the design is printed crooked on the fabric, there's not much you can do about that other than cutting the image straight and not worry about the piece of fabric being 'on grain'. If the FQ is just cut crooked, you can straighten the piece of fabric and then continue with cutting your 9.5" pieces.

If the couple of pieces of fabric that are giving you trouble are not truly on grain, it's not going to affect your quilt by any significant amount, in my opinion. There are many of us that don't always get our fabric truly on the straight of grain.

Good luck. Let us know if you still have questions.

sewannie

Hello and thank you for your reply. I believe the fabric print is crooked on the fat quarter. I tried to straighten it by stretching it diagonally as I read that in some other posts. It is better than what it was before. I think I will just cut it so the print is straight. I'm some what of a perfectionist, so I hope that doesn't affect my desire to quilt. Thanks again

sewannie

Hello again, I was thinking about your question about finding the straight grain of fabric. I have always just squared up my fabric before I begin sewing. Is this wrong? If so, how would I find the straight grain of fabric? I have alot of fat quarters to cut. I know it's probably a really dumb question, but I want to improve my sewing and learn to quilt the correct way. Thanks again for your help!

Lori B.

Welcome from Michigan!

Angel Bear

Welcome from OHIO!!! If you search for "fabric straight of grain" you will find several great articles explaining how to find the straight of grain. I was taught that you hold the fabric by the selvages and move it until it hangs straight. This has always worked for me. You definitely cannot go by the "cut line" where it was cut from the bolt.

sewannie

Thank you Angel Bear! I searched the fabric straight of grain. I clipped about 1" on the selvage and ripped then cut it straight with my ruler. The print is definitely printed on the fabric crooked. From what I've read, it doesn't make a difference if my quilt squares on not perfectly straight on the grain. I will cut the squares to make sure the print is straight as opposed to the straight of grain. Thank you again for your reply! I look forward to learning from all of you experienced quilters

sewannie

Thank you Lori B. Looking forward to learning from all of you

Abby'smom

welcome from se TX

NJ Quilter

Yes, cutting and tearing is the most accurate way of finding straight of grain. There are many folks in the 'don't tear' camp as well as the 'tear' camp. Folding fabric from selvedge to selvedge and hanging also works but not an option with FQ's unfortunately. In your situation I would just cut so the print is straight and call it good.