Thread: Fixing a Border/ShapeCut Ruler

Well, it seems that the ShapeCut Ruler does not work with all rotary cutters. I think that ruler must be designed for 45mm and larger rotary cutter, not my old school 28mm. I don't know. I put on a fresh blade. The video makes it look so simple. I tried it every which way: forward, backward, flipping the fabric. All it did was shred the fabric. Very frustrating.

After probably too many attempts, I gave up & attempted to fix using a standard ruler. But part of one border piece is now a good 1/8" smaller at the end, easing out to the proper size over about 2". Since it will be covered up by the binding anyways, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for how to fix it without making the border noticeably thicker. I am debating adding on a skinny triangle piece with a 1/4" seam allowance. It would still be hidden in the binding.

Oh, one more thing -- I planned to do a mitered border so that missing fabric is needed even though it will be at the bottom edge of the quilt. Thanks in advance for any suggestions to rescue my niece's quilt!

I have found that the 45mm cutter works best for me with the Shape Cut Ruler. I think the smaller one probably isn't getting all the way down to the cutting board between the thickness of the ruler and fabric.

Is it the width of the border or the length that is off? I think 1/8" isn't too much to ease most times. Depending on the fabric, you might be able to piece it together in a way that won't be too noticeable.

If the piece is going to be covered with the binding I would use whatever method you need to extend it. I might do a binding with the flange to even cover better and disguise any adjustments.

It is the height of my 3" border that is off.

I wouldn't recommend buying a 28mm rotary cutter if you are in the market for a new one, but there was a Quilting Start-Up Kit years back when I started quilting that came with a mat, ruler, square & 28mm rotary cutter. It typically works just fine. Olfa says it can cut through up to 5 layers of fabric at a time & I've had no problem cutting through 4 layers with a standard ruler/square. The 28mm replacement blades seem to consistently be much cheaper than the 45mm blades, so that's one advantage. The irony is that I was debating whether to buy a 45mm rotary cuter or the ShapeCut. I figured since my rotary cutter works fine, I'd delay that purchase & get a ShapeCut instead. Apparently, that was the wrong order in which to purchase them.

If your piece is only 1/8 inch short -

Would making a slightly narrower seam work? Your seam would be 3/16 inch wide instead of 4/16 inches.

If the narrower part is on the outside edge - just move the binding in a tiny bit to cover it - much as I dislike the "not noticeable from 100 feet away" phrase - most people would not notice that difference.

You could lay a strip of fabric under your shirt piece and do a zig zag or strait stitch close to the edge. This will be covered by the binding, right?