Best way to get large yardage to cut straight
 

I have washed, dried and ironed my 6 yards of fabric. I know that you are supposed to hold/fold the fabric salvege to salvege and slide the salveges until no wrinkles show on the fold. I can do this in 1 yard increments somewhat without getting "bendy" strips when I need to cut accross width of fabric. I do run into problems when yardage goes beyond my initial 1 yard (or less) cut plane. Should I just cut up my yardage into 1 yard increments, or struggle with the remainder in order to keep the yardage on the straight-of grain? This has bothered me for years! Looking forward to the talented and wise advice from this board.:o

I can usually manage 1 to 1.5 yds max. However, in order to maximize my fabric
usage, I plan how many squares and strips I will need. Make a little diagram and
see how many strips/squares fit in one yard. Then I can adjust a little more or a
little less. I always add one or two inches for safety. Does this makes sense?

I also cut my yardage down to make it more manageable. Usually a yard; sometimes 1-1/2 yards.

I always cut my yardage into half yards to sub cut. I have better control and can keep the fabric perfectly aligned. When I use my Go to cut strips I use a yard of fabric at a time.

I always cut large amounts down to manageable pieces. I find that anything more than 1.5 yards is too hard to handle and make sure it straight on the grain when I cut.

This is our method also. I say OUR because DH and I do most of the cutting together. He runs the rotary cutter.

I wouldn't want to have cut it into 1 yd pieces only to find that I need borders 1 1/2 yard long. And I like to cut binding the length of fabric with the fewest joins possible. Therefore, I leave it in 1 large piece. When folding, I put the selvages together every 1/2 - 3/4 yd & keep holding the previous segment in one hand, the fabric folds accordian style. When I'm all the way through the yardage, I hold it up and let it drop into a fold at the other side. Then I gently lay it down and pick it up again along the fold about every 1/2-3/4 yard. While holding the total yardage this way, I shake it so the grain will straighten out. Then lay it down again and either fold it accordian style or in half, then in half, again and again until its the size I want to store.

Surely if you are planning kaleidoscope quilts you can't cut down .how would it be to use the clips or clamps to hold in place or just fold in half and rinse dry before using again. I would not be in favour of cutting in case I need a longer length.

i keep my yardage long. i do it the same as petthefabric. if my queen quilt needs borders, i want to be able to cut them LOF in one piece.

Since I too like my borders (and sashing, when applicable) cut as one whole strip rather than pieceing them, I usually take large cuts of fabric and cut them down into 2 yard pieces. This way, it's manageable to fold, but if I want a long cut from them, I have plenty of fabric to do so. The way I line up the selvedge and fan-fold is the same as PetTheFabric. :)