Ok, am about done with my first quilt top. Its a wall hanging It is squares with flip flops in them, then I put a sashing around each square and joined them. Now I just need the fabric to frame the whole thing to be cut out and sewn on. My problem is I need an easy and accurate way to cut it out. For the blocks I found a square shape and used the rotary cutters and prayed. Worked fine. For the sashing around them, I used my accuquilt. Now the frame I want wider than what I have for the accuquilt. The fabric is one of my very favorite in my stash, was very expensive, and I haven't seen it sold anywhere since, so I am REALLY wanting to get it right the first time, so I figured before I screwed it up I'd ask the experts. Thank you in advance. You guys always come thru for me!

Virg

All you can do is the best you can do:) You might want to buy, beg, or borrow a longer ruler to help with your cuts.

If I am understanding you correctly, you are asking about the "borders" you want to put on the wall hanging?? Measure the wall hanging thru the middle of it, top to bottom, this is the length to cut yur side borders. Then after that is attached, measure across the middle to get the length to cut your top and bottom borders. By measuring thru the middle and not on the edge, you get a more accurate measurement. Then pin each end, then the middle, then ease in if it needs... pin well before sewing. Good luck, and don't forget to post a picture to share with us.

Your other alternative to cutting would be to tear the fabric. Measure as CoriAmD says and once you have your measurements make a small snip in the edge of the fabric at the appropriate width/lenght and tear. This keeps the fabric on the straight of grain and gives you a very accurate edge. You can also pull strands of thread instead of the snipping/tearing. I've found this incredibly tedious with quilting cotton but it is doable.