I was looking at some of Amy Butler's free quilt patterns on her website, and was impressed with how much those simple designs lent themselves to construction shortcuts, such as strip piecing, then cutting. Yet, she had every tiny piece cut by template and then sewn together. It could have been so much easier! How many of you cut each piece individually and then put them together that way? I think I'd quit quilting if I couldn't use shortcuts in the construction. :lol:

For me, it depends on the quilt. Some can be strip pieced, so I do. Others, like Kaleidoscope, I made templates so that i could cut the specific shapes before I paper pieced it. That way I don't waste as much fabric.

It depends on the piece. I am doing a drunkards path and it requires templates. Most other things I strip piece and then cut. Next on my list is a log cabin that is stripped pieces then the triangles are cut. I'm all for shortcuts or easier ways of doing things.

I learned that way but don't anymore. I love my rotary cutter and mats!! :D
I totally agree with you.

I use both and enjoy both.

If theres a short cut Im taking it!

When paper piecing I use templates for the other pieces aswell as sometimes the templates are not the correct size

I have only done quilts that are rotary cut, and if it can be strip pieced so much the better!

Yep! thats the way I learned too.
If you are careful it works fine, but a rotary cutter is so much easier on my hands than the scissors

Not if I can help it :-D I'd much rather use ruler & rotary cutter, strip piece & get to the piecing of my quilt top. I want to see results ASAP. :lol: