tips for cutting lengthwise?

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03-02-2015, 01:30 PM

#11

Boston1954

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Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tessagin

If you fold it in 1/2 then again to where it's 18" long you'll have your 72" long. Just make sure the fabric is true/squared before you cut.

...and that the blade in the cutter is new, good and sharp. I cannot tell how many times I've had to run the blade over multiple layers several times, because I forgot to do that.

03-02-2015, 02:20 PM

#12

QuiltnNan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bjchad

I know there are going to be people who get the horrors when I say this but if it were me I would tear the strips. It's pretty much the only way to ensure the strip is straight and on grain.

this is my preferred method

03-02-2015, 02:24 PM

#13

Nammie to 7

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I just cut a border fabric and used my rotary cutter. Didn't take long and I was able to control the cut to stay along one line.

03-02-2015, 02:42 PM

#14

NJ Quilter

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Location: Central NJ

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bjchad

I know there are going to be people who get the horrors when I say this but if it were me I would tear the strips. It's pretty much the only way to ensure the strip is straight and on grain.

This is what I would do as well. Probably about 1/2 inch wider than desired finished width. Scootch the extra threads on both sides out with a pin/seam ripper to get to desired width and then press. It can be a tedious process getting the extra threads off the sides but you know your fabric will truly be on grain that way. And you've given yourself enough of a buffer with the extra 1/2" to be able to get to your correct width and not have nasty edges.

03-02-2015, 05:22 PM

#15

dflynn

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I am glad someone asked this question. So much knowledge from this board

03-03-2015, 06:08 AM

#16

sherryl1

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Join Date: Jan 2011

Posts: 284

That was my first thought.If you tear just a smidge wider you could then cut off the offending rough edge.Just cut it as a single layer.Do not fold and cut.It will take a little longer but you will probably get better results.

03-03-2015, 06:28 AM

#17

Sewnoma

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Location: Sonoma County, CA

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I always rip long pieces off for borders; I rip them about 2-1/2" wider than necessary and trim back down. That might not work with a print though (I'm usually using solids for borders). If you have some spare fabric I'd do a test rip and see how on-grain the print is. If it's off, I agree with the others, lay it out and use scissors on one layer at a time so you can get the print you need, then you might want to starch it before attaching since it's off-grain.

03-03-2015, 07:48 AM

#18

ManiacQuilter2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bjchad

I know there are going to be people who get the horrors when I say this but if it were me I would tear the strips. It's pretty much the only way to ensure the strip is straight and on grain.

It is what I do too. You just have to remove all the loose threads. Add an extra 1/8" too for compensation of the unraveled side. With larger quilts in competition, I did not want to deal with pieced borders.

03-03-2015, 08:26 AM

#19

AZ Jane

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Join Date: Feb 2012

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Posts: 2,877

Quote:

Originally Posted by janRN

Since the fabric has a distinctive pattern I think I'd do this the old fashioned way. I'd lay it on the floor, draw the cutting line with my ruler(s), then cut with scissors. I can see what I'm cutting instead of some of it hidden in folds.

I'd go with scissors!

03-03-2015, 10:08 AM

#20

bearisgray

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Location: MN

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Vistacruise

I need to cut four 6.5" wide rectangles 72" long for my next quilt top. The fabric is directional along the length of the fabric so I need to cut straight down the two yards. Any tips for keeping the cuts straight?

I would rrservr that fabfic + a couple of addigional length inches and cut it when I got to that stage

Then I would measure the top and cut those pieces. It is very frustrating to be hzlf an inch shodt!