jkstein

I need some help and advice. Years ago I took quilting lessons at the Quilted Apple in Phoenix which back then was a little red barn. We we're taught hand piecing and making your template with graph and sand paper. Hand piecing was so precise and it left the seams to where you could press how ever you wanted. We laid our template on the fabric and you could see the grain of the fabric so you could line it up with the grain. Then took a mechanical pencil and drew around the template and measured the quarter inch seem allowance and cut out with scissors. It was very easy to get seems to line up.
Some years later now I want to make a quilt or two and some of Jo Mortons small quilts. I have my cutting mat and rotary cutter and rulers. Just starting out straightening the fabric is kind of throwing me a little. I've watched you tube videos. I have a piece of Moda flannel and one selvage is longer than the other. I tried tearing it but it seemed harder to rip. I need some advice about this subject. Once I cut the edge lining up the lines on the ruler and cutting isn't too tough. I know to press the seems so the intersections lock together but so far I like to pin the intersecting seems to make sure they come together precisely.
Any advise would be helpful
Janice in Peoria Az