need help cutting an accurate square

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05-16-2016, 02:55 PM

#21

gingerd

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: SE TN

Posts: 1,061

Do you have your fabric on a cutting mat? That will help too.

Going to even JoAnn's and have them show you how to do it correctly.

05-16-2016, 04:20 PM

#22

Material Witness

Senior Member

Join Date: Nov 2011

Location: Carolina

Posts: 877

The best tape to put on the back of a ruler to keep it from slipping is athletic tape, the opaque stuff.

05-16-2016, 05:00 PM

#23

Pennyhal

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: California

Posts: 1,732

I've been trying for 30 years to make an accurate square, triangle, block...you name it. I've finally have accepted that I probably will never have a perfect patch. For me, close enough works just fine.

05-16-2016, 05:39 PM

#24

Onebyone

Power Poster

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Southern USA

Posts: 15,965

Buy a Go die cut machine. It's as important to me as my sewing machine. No math, no rulers, no rotary cutter, no miss cuts.

05-17-2016, 03:18 AM

#25

DebbieJJ

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: north Alabama

Posts: 1,861

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearisgray

I would use a pencil and just mark the 5-1/4 inch square in a corner and cut around it.

Then either scissor cut it out, or rotary cut on the lines.

This is what I was gonna suggest also. But like Dunster said, if it needs to finish at 5" square, it should be cut at 5-1/2" instead of 5-1/4" sq.

05-17-2016, 05:24 AM

#26

Roberta

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: Bar Harbor, ME.

Posts: 2,911

Quote:

Originally Posted by dray965

I feel so dumb by asking this, but here goes. Is there an easy way to cut a 5-1/4" square? I don't have a special ruler, just a regular ruler one would use with a rotary cutter and I've already messed it up.

I measured and cut but My cutter went wonky on me and I've already messed up the 1st square.

I've got several more to go and since I'm working from a kit, I'm not sure I'll have enough material to make mistakes.

After that one went south on me I quit and came straight to you girls. I'm sure some of you can advise me on how to measure and then cut just one. I know how to cut strip and THEN cut squares, but I have never had to cut just ONE 5 1/4" square from several of my fabrics. Yikes!

Help!

I'm having the same problem. I have a quilt pattern I want to start with but I need the background to be cut into 10" squares and I mess up every single time. My wrist isn't strong enough to cut accurately at all anymore so I'm wondering if Accuquilt makes a 10 inch die? Anyone know?

05-17-2016, 07:30 AM

#27

Onebyone

Power Poster

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Southern USA

Posts: 15,965

The GO Big has a ten inch square die. GO Big is the electric one.

05-17-2016, 08:01 AM

#28

luci4

Senior Member

Join Date: Nov 2011

Location: Minnesota

Posts: 726

To get a 5" finished square, one MUST cut it to 5.5. Otherwise you will end up with 4.75 finished.

05-17-2016, 08:38 AM

#29

klswift

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2012

Posts: 1,857

You don't need a special ruler. There may be a problem if you are measuring in from the cut edge - it very probably is not straight. Start by measuring up from the selvage (be sure to take into account the selvage size)in a few spots. Until you feel comfortable, mark this measurement rather than cut it. Then using the ruler along the selvage edge (which should be straight) mark a line up to the 5 1/4" plus selvage mark. Now using the selvage, mark a spot 5 1/4" along the selvage . Now mark up (again using the ruler for the right angle) up a 5 1/4" plus selvage. Now connect the lines. Step back, take a breath and now remeasure your square. It should be 5 1/4". Now your confidence is back and go get that rotary cutter!!!!! (I might try this on some other fabric until you feel good about it.)