Thread: Accurate cutting

I was doing some piecing tonight and realizing how inaccurate my cutting is - ugh.
Any tips for cutting accuracy?

Use a cutting ruler that has fine lines -- much more accurate for me than thick lines.

I found I get the most accurate cutting when I starch my fabrics prior to cutting. It helps them to lay flat and not move as much when cutting. Give it a try on a piece ... it washes out so its not a permanent treatment. I was amazed how much my cutting improved when I starched prior to cutting.

Originally Posted by Lori S

I found I get the most accurate cutting when I starch my fabrics prior to cutting. It helps them to lay flat and not move as much when cutting. Give it a try on a piece ... it washes out so its not a permanent treatment. I was amazed how much my cutting improved when I starched prior to cutting.

It was after reading about starch on this board last year or so ago that I tried starch and have never looked back, what a difference it makes to all my quilting but cutting is fab.

Use a ruler with thin lines.

Place the ruler consistenyly As you go.

What makes you think your cutting isn't accurate? What is wrong? Too large? Too small? Not even? Can you post picture to show us?
I agree, starching does make the fabric behave better.

Is your ruler slipping? If so, you need to apply something to it. There are several things, such as sandpaper dots, clear dots specifically for preventing slipping, Omnigrid Invisigrip (clear film), and even clear nail polish, but I haven't tried that one myself. Personally I like the Omnigrid Invisigrip. I have many rulers and used it on nearly all of them from just one roll. I even cut thin strips and put it on the back of my June Tailor Shape Cut ruler.

Buy a Quilter's Slidelock ruler and Sally Collins book on Precision Machine Piecing. In it she recommends keeping the thin black line on the Omnigrid/Omnigrip rulers ontop of the fabric prior to cutting, because then it gives you the space needed for the thread and turning thickness, and you don't need to try to sew a scant quarter inch seam. She also recommends starching, which has already been mentioned.

Originally Posted by JustAbitCrazy

Buy a Quilter's Slidelock ruler and Sally Collins book on Precision Machine Piecing. In it she recommends keeping the thin black line on the Omnigrid/Omnigrip rulers ontop of the fabric prior to cutting, because then it gives you the space needed for the thread and turning thickness, and you don't need to try to sew a scant quarter inch seam. She also recommends starching, which has already been mentioned.

Great recommendation.....I did this and my quilting improved immensly!!!!!