Do you cut your yardage down?
 

I bought several yards (7-10) of the same fabric, knowing that I wouldn't use them all for the quilt I am starting, but wanting to keep some for stash; hence, my question~what size pieces do you cut off when starting to cut your block pieces?

This quilt is kind of a make-up as I go because I cannot visualize in my head what blocks I really want to use around a panel. I do know the blocks will be no larger than 9", probably no smaller than 6"......so what would you cut these larger pieces down to? 1 yard??????

Thanks for your advice! I just have a really hard time with such a large piece of fabric :)


Tonya

I leave my fabrics all in one piece ... and cut them down as I use them.

This way, you keep the piece as big as possible. As you said, you are kind of designing as you go. What if you take the notion to use that fabric as the backing? (for this or another project) .... the larger the piece the better as if you have cut it up, you may end up with the need to seam it in one or more places to get it back to where you want it.

I never cut it down until I need it.

I am probably not a help because I don't cut pieces until I know what size pieces I will use. I always cut my biggest strips first (a 9" strip, as an example) and I just kind of keep the rest of the humongous piece somewhat folded as I cut strips from it.

I keep it as is.

Another vote here for not chopping it up ahead of time.

i leave it whole and just cut it off as i need it.

I have cut down large yardage before to make cutting a little easier, but no more than a yard at a time. I like to cut my borders on the straight of grain so I never cut yardage under 3 yards.

I cut as I need it.

I never cut it down either. I like the largest piece I can get in case I need it for borders.