I have no idea why, but I'm so intimidated by cutting my fabric! any ideas as to how to overcome my fears! My wonderful MIL has cut all my fabrics and even though I watch very closely I get home and just avoid it all together. Help me! :cry:

Next time let her coach you as you cut to help you build your confidence by watching you as you do it, and catch it if it's wrong .... before the slice happens.

Wrong cuts happen to the best of us ... and some great creativity and results can come from it!

Get some cheap fabic...go to goodwill or a second hand store to get it, and get after it! Cut, slice, dice, mess up, do it perfect, and practice!! :) I have faith in you...I KNOW you can do it, you just need faith in yourself! ;)

Are you rotary cutting? Are you afraid of using the cutter, or of making a mistake with the fabric? If so you might practice on an old sheet until you feel proficient. Force yourself to cut it as if it were expensive cotton. Practice cutting strips, squares, angles, etc. until you feel that you're good at it, and then tackle your fabric.

Thank you very much I wish I had more faith in myself! :D

I learn by doing. The best advise I got was "it's not brain surgery. It's only fabric". As others have said practice on cheap or old fabric. Then take on a small project. Just do it!!!:):):) And have FUN!

Practice will give it to you! Dunster suggested an old sheet...or that cheap fabric... Get to cuttin' Girl!!

When I'm afraid to do something I know I need to learn to do, I just say to myself, "Here goes nothing!" and then I just dive in! It's like learning to ride a bike...once you've learned how, you'll wonder why you were afraid. You'll be doing "wheelies" in no time!!

Much truth here, and great advice. I find that if I'm lucky enough to buy something at a fantastic price, or given some fabric from someone, it is much easier to cut into.

I think that's one of the reasons we are quilters - we don't like waste... so use that to your advantage. If you mess up save the piece and use it for something else.

You are intimidated because like us, you don't want to ruin a great piece of fabric BUT like us, you need to face your fear and get cutting.

If you can have your MIL coach you, she can watch to see that you are cutting correctly and safely. Maybe you could start with a small project first. Like anything, a little practice goes a long way.

Also, sometimes LQS's have classes about How to Use Your Rotary Cutter. Quite often they are free.

http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc...34111112701.f3

Lastly, if you are concerned that your ruler might slip, giving you a wonky cut, back your ruler with Omnigrid InvisiGrip. This is the best product!!! It really keeps your ruler from slipping. I really wish this was available when I was new to rotary cutting.

This is something I tell my sewing students. Remember, you're not making a prom dress. Any little glitches can be incorporated into the design. And IF you make a mistake, only YOU will know, unless you tell everyone. Just enjoy the process, it is all part of the learning curve. Quilting doesn't HAVE to be perfect.

You have to do it to learn it! We all fall off the bike the first time and burn a cake, and over water a plant and, and and....... DO IT GIRL!!!! It's how we learn!!! I still have some fabric in my stash that I love so much I still can't cut it and the other fabric that I still love, I love more after it is used up into lovley quilts. Good luck, be brave. Maybe try a small project to get started like a table runner or wall hanging!

SHEMOmOF4: you have 4 kids! What are you afraid of?

You can do it!

I know just how you feel. I hate to make that first cut too.

I think I know how you feel. I am very new to quilting and find myself worrying about cutting something wrong. I have taken some classes but am now working on a quilt top that I am learning from a book- no class. I worried so much about it and thought I would never get started. I worked slowly through each instruction and I have now made 4 blocks for the quilt. It helps me to put each set of cuts in a ziploc bag and label it as I cut. Good luck. I have sewn since I was a small child and was still intimidated by cutting quilt fabric. Do it like you eat an elephant- one bite at a time.

We have faith in you! You can do it! Practice, practice, practice!

I do like cutting .. Luv sewing...

So here is what I suggest. Try looking at Walmart for a bolt of their really crummy fabric (ours has a whole table of bolts for $5.00 a bolt). Nothing you would actually ever use in a quilt but you sure can practice cutting with it. after you cut, try using the cuts for practicing your 1/4" seams or decorative stitches.

Just keep remembering"measure twice, cut once" and you will be OK.

Find some really ugly fabric and learn on that. Is there a particular problem you want to overcome - sliding ruler for example (this can be fixed with Invisigrip-a clear self sticking - with the help of static - on the bottom of your ruler). So, if there is a particular issue(s), tackle them one at a time. Remember, always buy enough fabric for a project so that you will have enough of each color needed in case of a mis-cut...and any mis-cuts that occur just mean you might have to buy more fabric...aw shucks :lol:
See, no pressure there. I took a class years ago when I started. Any basic "how to quilt" class should cover rotary basics. Or maybe you have an experienced rotary cutting friend you know or in a guild who can help. Good luck.

[quote=wolfkitty][quote=Shemomof4]Just don't be too hard on yourself if the REALLY cheap stuff doesn't cut perfectly...sometimes the weave is uneven, it seems to stretch more etc. You can always practice on your scraps too. Fabric that has lived its life in a project already wouldn't mind being sliced and diced again.

:)

I would suggest that you use leftover material and start cutting blocks/ strips in different sizes til you build up your confidence. You could always use the cut blocks/strips to make a scrappy quilt. Have fun.

:lol: so true(the 4 kids Part) thank you!

Thank you all for the encouragement! and your right its just material! How bad can it be! Well Here goes! Wish me luck will post pics when I am done! (still nervous though) :?

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself! So said FDR. Now go for it! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

:thumbup: Girl you have 4 kids (that's the hard part) cutting your fabric will be a piece of cake after the first slice. Go for it. You will be so proud of yourself. BrendaK

I am not afraid of cutting fabric. I always worry if I will have enough if I make a mistake and I think some is just procrasting.

There have been times that I have had fabric that I just hate to cute because it is so beautiful! :-)

I too get intimitated, especially if it is expensive fabric or a kit knowng getting more fabric is not always possible. I usually wait until I can work uninterupted (sometimes that takes a while :) and am not too tired.

You are lucky to have your MIL do this for you. Someday soon you will be ready to do it.

I was intimated when I first started. I am a scrap quilter so I use my mistakes. The more you do it the easier it gets. It is SO useful.

I agree, try some cheap fabric. Believe me, we all make cutting mistakes sooner or later :(

I had that same fear for a long time. Finally just jumped in there and did it. Now its not so bad. I am very cautious, and pretty slow cutting, but I am also accurate

Watch a June Taylor shape cut ruler tute, then go buy one, watch the video again and then cut away. It is the way to go. I have 2 of them and love them.

or you could buy an Accuquilt Go! I'm not intimidated - just hate to cut. For the first time in my quilting career I don't hate the cutting process.

I know how you feel but at some point I think it happens to all of us. It's like my mind wanders when I'm cutting and zip their goes a bad cut. I hate to cut sometimes but then I just figure well lets get going if it happens it just does. The more you cut the more confidence you will get. Good Luck thinking of you cutting and smiling about why was I so scared to cut. Make that first cut you'll be so happy you did. I know I always feel good when I did it right. Sue

I was afraid to sew because my corners seams might not match. I watched Fon's and Porter one day and they were so excited when their seams matched. I decided if theirs didn't always match why was I so worried about mine. I started sewing my blocks and got excited as the rows developed and then the whole quilt top. Just dive in and don't worry so much. YOU CAN DO IT!

I cant cut it even so started ripping. At least I know its even on both ends.
Roma

I had to attend several classes to get cutting right.

Sometimes it is hard to learn something new, the only way to overcome it is too practice. Use an old sheet something that doesn't matter if it gets messed up. And you will surprise yourself. We have all made mistakes, some of us more than others, but just work slowly the the directions. You will get it.