This is a great explanation. I think I've been doing it wrong...with the selvedges on the side. :roll:
Originally Posted by PatriceJ
if you're cutting straight strips ...
if the selvages are to one side, the you are cutting "up" the length of the fabric. (warp) this is the way i prefer to cut if i'm doing strip piecing (sewing lots of long strips together to cut apart later). they don't stretch as much while i'm sewing them together, and i have a wee bit of stretch after they're cut apart. that comes in handy if i need to ease something to fit.
if the selvages are to the top, then you are cutting across the width of fabric (woof/weft). i prefer to cut this way when i'm going to cut the strips into triangles. just because ... :lol: