Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
cutting out directional border fabric >

cutting out directional border fabric

cutting out directional border fabric

Old 07-10-2014, 03:22 PM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,340
Default cutting out directional border fabric

What is the best way to cut fabrics that need to be "right side up" in the borders? The fabric needs to go across the top and bottom and up and down on the sides. I've tried to do this in the past and the cuts came out crooked. Thoughts for the directionally challenged?
Michelle
michelleoc is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:03 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,570
Default

Just did this on the last quilt I made. I cut the sides from the length of fabric; top/bottom from WOF. Granted this was a baby quilt - although on the large side for that but the same principles should apply for larger quilts as well. I generally also only cut one border at a time. Put the first cut piece next to the correct/corresponding side/end then cut the next and so on. And each time I work with a directional fabric I ask myself 'why did I pick THIS fabric for this?'.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
NJ Quilter is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:14 PM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

I find a line(s) on the print to cut on - and use those same lines for all four strips. You might need to stare at the fabric for a while to decide where to cut it. Remember to allow for seam allowances.

I follow the print of the fabric and totally ignore grain lines when I am cutting a printed stripe. (which causes me great pain when the design is printed off-grain)
bearisgray is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:16 PM
  #4  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,445
Default

Is it printed straight? Sometimes it is impossible to keep the objects running straight even if cut straight for borders. If the WOF is not wide enough to do the top and bottom you will have to piece it or add a design element into the border.
Tartan is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:25 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
Default

..and don't forget to miter the corners..
Geri B is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:31 PM
  #6  
Power Poster
 
dunster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,133
Default

Sometimes you can just re-think what it means to be right-side-up. If the borders all point in, or out, that often looks great, and you don't have to struggle with cutting some lengthwise and some from WOF. Or you may want the top and bottom borders to be right-side-up when you stand at the foot of the bed, but the sides to be right-side-up when you stand at the sides of the bed, so again you don't have to cut some lengthwise and some from WOF.
dunster is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:36 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Terri D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 462
Default

Chances are the print doesn't exactly follow the grain line of the fabric, in which case you will be cutting it on print/off grain in order to position the print the way you want in the border's width. Using a chalk marker like the one Clover makes, I'd first take a ruler and mark all the way from top to bottom to get a sense of where you will end up cutting.

The other consideration is whether you will need to cut parallel to the selvage or across the width of fabric. I've found it much easier to not piece borders with directional fabric, but understand this isn't always possible.
Terri D. is offline  
Old 07-11-2014, 05:48 AM
  #8  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
Default

Originally Posted by NJ Quilter View Post
Just did this on the last quilt I made. I cut the sides from the length of fabric; top/bottom from WOF. Granted this was a baby quilt - although on the large side for that but the same principles should apply for larger quilts as well. I generally also only cut one border at a time. Put the first cut piece next to the correct/corresponding side/end then cut the next and so on. And each time I work with a directional fabric I ask myself 'why did I pick THIS fabric for this?'
I did this once and that was the last time. NJ quilter has it right on. That is the way I did but what a waste of a chunk of fabric if doing a large quilt. I precut my fabric squares with the fabric next to the side borders. You have to be so carefully and mark things out and check them again before cutting.
ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
Old 07-11-2014, 06:26 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
crashnquilt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Lebanon, Missouri
Posts: 602
Default

Go to www.jinnybeyer.com Look at her videos, she has a video about working with border prints
crashnquilt is offline  
Old 07-11-2014, 04:13 PM
  #10  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,340
Default

Thanks for all your advice. Yes, I am asking "why did I choose this fabric!?!?!"
michelleoc is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TexasSunshine
Main
8
06-12-2018 05:05 PM
Sandygirl
Tutorials
9
08-15-2014 09:05 AM
JudyMN
Main
6
08-15-2011 04:36 PM
almostfree
Main
8
03-06-2011 04:44 AM
just_the_scraps_m'am
Tutorials
1
04-29-2010 01:45 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter