Accurate rotary cutting on cutting mats.. can you help me?
#11
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 13,214
Your question was a very good one and this is all very good advice. However, the same problem occurs with the ruler. The lines on rulers are larger than the rotary cutter. Do you use the center of the line, the right side or the left?
The key is still consistency. You need to pick one and stay with it. Because not all rulers are the same, I do a test piece and measure after cutting. For example, if I want a 3 inch strip, I cut a test strip using the center of the line. I measure it to be sure it is 3 inches. If not, I move to the left or right accordingly. I use those colored tapes to mark the spot I need and stay with that mark for my project.
This takes more time, but saves me time in tearing out mistakes due to bad cuts. Good luck.
The key is still consistency. You need to pick one and stay with it. Because not all rulers are the same, I do a test piece and measure after cutting. For example, if I want a 3 inch strip, I cut a test strip using the center of the line. I measure it to be sure it is 3 inches. If not, I move to the left or right accordingly. I use those colored tapes to mark the spot I need and stay with that mark for my project.
This takes more time, but saves me time in tearing out mistakes due to bad cuts. Good luck.
#12
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
Originally Posted by Up North
With 3 2 inch strips sew together you will get 5.5 until! you sew it to the next two pieces. It is 5 inch finished but will measure 5.5. Clearer? You start with 6 inches sew 2 1/4 inc seams so loose a half inch.
After sewing the two inch strips together, these are my approximate measurements.
1.75 + 1.5 + 1.75 = 5
(2 - 1/4) + (2 - 1/4 - 1/4) + (2 - 1/4) = 5
#13
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 13,214
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by Up North
With 3 2 inch strips sew together you will get 5.5 until! you sew it to the next two pieces. It is 5 inch finished but will measure 5.5. Clearer? You start with 6 inches sew 2 1/4 inc seams so loose a half inch.
After sewing the two inch strips together, these are my approximate measurements.
1.75 + 1.5 + 1.75 = 5
(2 - 1/4) + (2 - 1/4 - 1/4) + (2 - 1/4) = 5
(Put that in the wrong place)
With three 2" strips you get 5"
With two 3" strips you get 5 1/2"
#14
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
Originally Posted by np3
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by Up North
With 3 2 inch strips sew together you will get 5.5 until! you sew it to the next two pieces. It is 5 inch finished but will measure 5.5. Clearer? You start with 6 inches sew 2 1/4 inc seams so loose a half inch.
After sewing the two inch strips together, these are my approximate measurements.
1.75 + 1.5 + 1.75 = 5
(2 - 1/4) + (2 - 1/4 - 1/4) + (2 - 1/4) = 5
(Put that in the wrong place)
With three 2" strips you get 5"
With two 3" strips you get 5 1/2"
:) :thumbup:
Math/arithmetic does come in handy now and then!
#17
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
i took a class recently and the instructor said to always cut on the left of the line on your ruler and mat if you use mat. Her theory is that this accounts for the scant quarter inch. However, I have found that if I consistently line up with left of the line on either my cuts are more accurate. Consistency is the key
#18
Originally Posted by Up North
With 3 2 inch strips sew together you will get 5.5 until! you sew it to the next two pieces. It is 5 inch finished but will measure 5.5. Clearer? You start with 6 inches sew 2 1/4 inc seams so loose a half inch.
Sewing the first 2 sewn patches to a third patch takes another 2 1/4" edges, for another total of 1/2" lost off the width.
So after having sewn 3 patches together, you have lost 1" of overall width.
3 2" patches sewn in a row yield a 5" long strip.
.
#19
I saw a quilting show with Alex Anderson where they talked about how to line up your ruler along the cut edge of the fabric to get an accurate measurement.
The line on the ruler should line up just past the cut edge of the fabric, not on top of it. In other words it butts up to the line but shouldn't extend into the line on the ruler.
I always use this method and find I get the most accurate cuts this way. :D
The line on the ruler should line up just past the cut edge of the fabric, not on top of it. In other words it butts up to the line but shouldn't extend into the line on the ruler.
I always use this method and find I get the most accurate cuts this way. :D
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