Holding fabric still to cut
 

What does everyone use to hold your fabric still so you can cut it straight with no curves or V'S ?

A long ruler for me....24".

First of all, align the salvages and the folded edge so there aren't any wonky edges at the fold, then the 5 x 18 ruler works best for me when I cut.

Most of the time when cutting with selvages aligned I use my hands on top of an 8.5x24" ruler. I stop cutting and move my hands along the ruler as necessary to keep the ruler from moving. If the ruler is lined up perpendicular to the fold there won't be any V's at the fold. I very seldom have more than one fold in the fabric while cutting, another way to avoid the dreaded V's.

Is the fabric slipping, or the ruler?
There are various products on the market to keep rulers in place. Also, how many layers are you cutting? You may want to reduce that number.

I use a long 24" ruler and then put a glass paper weight on it at the top end. It isn't in the way, but keeps the top from slipping as I cut from the bottom up. Hope that makes sense.

I agree with all the above posters, but just to add an idea, I have also used sewing weights to help anchor the fabric on the cutting table when needed.

I use the June Taylor Shape Cutter or my Accuquilt die for 2.5 inches and 1.5 inches.

I saw a post a couple of months ago on a thread here and I am cutting my strips backward. It is a little awkward leaning a new technique but with the 6"x24" ruler completely on the fabric, I find it is not slipping as much any more. I use a smaller ruler to line up for measuring the width of the cut. The way I learned to cut, most of the ruler is sitting on the rotary cutting mat and only the width of the cut had the ruler on the fabric. Hope this makes sense. I also have Omnigrip rulers

it also helps if your cutting table is the right height. mine is 36 inches high or maybe 34. I'm 5'7" or less. you just need to be able to exert some pressure on the ruler to hold it well. Some people use two rulers to make sure it is all lined up correctly.