I too leave it whole and cut as needed.
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
I too leave it whole and cut as needed.
I do not cut my yardage down, unless I have more than 5 yards, then I cut off a strip a bit wider than what I need. I keep all most big pieces at around 5 yards.
If life gives you lemons, make a margarita.
To make it easier to manage, I would wind it on an empty bolt, or accordion fold it. I agree you should cut as you need. Never know when you need a large piece...
Cindy
Curator of an 1889 Singer model 27 Fiddlebase Treadle, a 1951 Singer Centennial Featherweight, a 1956 Singer 401A, and a 1982 Bernina 830 Record.
I don't cut my fabrics down to store them but when I'm ready to cut for a quilt I'll cut off shorter amounts. A pattern will generally call for several strips of the same width so I cut that amount plus an inch or so off my yardage and starch and iron before I cut.Originally Posted by nonda
I bought several yards (7-10) of the same fabric, knowing that I wouldn't use them all for the quilt I am starting, but wanting to keep some for stash; hence, my question~what size pieces do you cut off when starting to cut your block pieces?
This quilt is kind of a make-up as I go because I cannot visualize in my head what blocks I really want to use around a panel. I do know the blocks will be no larger than 9", probably no smaller than 6"......so what would you cut these larger pieces down to? 1 yard??????
Thanks for your advice! I just have a really hard time with such a large piece of fabric
Tonya
I do not cut mine down either, I cut as I go.
I would keep the piece as large as possible. Since your block will not be larger then 9". I would cut a strip slightly larger then 9.5". Play around with that strip until you figure what size you really need for your quilt. Then go back and cut off only what you need.
I never cut yardage and I don't cut down scraps either, because just never know what size I will need for flower center or a little doggie leg.
For 7-10 yards of fabric, I store it as is until I need it for a quilt. At that time, assuming I need to cut pieces for a quilt top, I will cut off 1 yard and work with that smaller piece. If I know I will need only 1/2 yard, I will cut off that much. If I am going to use the fabric for a border and want to cut the borders on the lengthwise grain, I will cut off as much as is needed for the longest border and work with that piece.
I find it too difficult to cut strips and pieces from 7 yds of fabric. Maybe if I had a much bigger table that could support all that bulk.........
Edit: Oh, and I should add that I pin a note to the fabric that tells me how many yards are in it. If I cut off a yard to use in a quilt, I update the note pinned to the remaining yardage. This saves me from having to wrestle with the yardage to figure out how much of it I have.
Last edited by Prism99; 01-23-2013 at 09:18 AM.
I don't cut down larger pieces of fabric - I want the maximum available for future projects. The only time I cut down fabrics is when I've got smaller than a FQ, then its Bonnie Hunters method, down to 10", 5", 3.5, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 strips. Those are wonderful when I want a quick quilt, as I just go to each size stash and sew from that -- plus I love scrappy quilts, which is what I end up with. Even the uglies go into these piles -- as Bonnie Hunter says, if the fabric you're using is still ugly, you haven't cut (or sewn) it small enough yet! I often turn those around, too, as usually the back side of the 'ugly' fabric is useable 'as is'.
Don't cut it until you need some. Though if I have a huge piece, 10-15 yds, I will sometime cut a 1 yard piece to put in my cabinets and then put the large piece in the garage in my fabric storage tubs, that way I know I have some of a fabric if I am pulling for a quilt.
My Grandson Joshua Peter John was born December 20th. I am now Grandma to 3 precious babies. I am so blessed!!!!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
