..this sometimes is the root of all evil!Originally Posted by kathy
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
..this sometimes is the root of all evil!
This is what a friend of mine told me to do. Sort of complicated in writing, so much easier to show in person.
A Good Friend, like an old quilt, is both a Treasure and a Comfort
Sort of like the difference between reading the book or watching the movie........
thanks for the tip
Last edited by OrangeSherbet; 04-30-2015 at 05:48 AM.
Make sure your pressure on both the ruler and rotary cutter goes straight down into the fabric rather than sideways. If I am working with a long ruler I hold it down with both my hand and the elbow of the same arm to keep it from moving.
Go slowly!
Use the thinnest lines you can and check for each ruler type where the cut should be, if the line is on the inside or outside of the mark.
I don't cut with a ruler and rotary without the SlideLock for safety. I haven't found a fool proof way to use get perfect cuts one after the other with a ruler and cutter. I bought the Go and every cut is the same.
I love my life!
Do you know why you're off? If you know what your specific issue is, let us know and we can offer specific suggestions.
If you're not sure how/when/why you're going wonky, it's time to get a friend to watch you cut OR slow way down, look at everything you're doing, and measure after every single cut and try to figure out where exactly you're going wrong. If your cuts come out perfectly doing that, it could be just that you're going too fast and missing it when you're a little off. (Been there, done that!)
I can see where starch would help if you are cutting, but my problem is I can't see the edge of the fabric under the ruler!
I've had to resort to taping fabric down on a line on the mat so I could line it up. I have a Martelli mat on the yellow side and still can't see. Not using Omnigrids but the other brand with no color marking. Also have the Quilters Slidelock.
Fixing lighting. Have to find a gooseneck that fits the track over the cutting table.
I have tried and it works for me. Non skid shelf liner a narrow strip (1/2"x6") helps. Lightly starching of the fabric works also.
There are so many reasons why cutting can be inaccurate enough to make a noticeable difference in finished quilts. The very best way to track down the cause is to have someone else watch how you cut using your own cutter, rulers, and mat. Chances are it will be a very simple solution that needs no new 'equipment' or drastic changes to your method.
You could ask for help from a friend who also quilts or from someone at a local quilt shop, but there's really no way to be sure of what's causing the problem without watching you in person. In the long run, it would be faster, cheaper, and more beneficial.
Many shops now have classes that include how to cut accurately. That might be a good option, too. Best of luck to you.
The Earth without art is just "Eh".
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