Accurate rotary cutting on cutting mats.. can you help me?
08-25-2010, 08:47 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 339
I beleive it was Leah Day's site that I saw when cutting use the full line included in your measurement. That includes both sides. Haven't tested it, but I have wondered about this for years myself.
08-25-2010, 11:02 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Marathon, Texas
Posts: 854
Originally Posted by Bobbin along
I turn my mat to the blank side, then square up the edge i plan to cut from. I take a ruler and lay it somewhere near where i think I will be making the cut, Then i take a smaller ruler, lay it perpendicular to the other ruler on the fabric, and measure over from the cut edge to the bigger ruler to get the exact measurement. check the measurements up and down the edge ("measure twice, cut once") and cut along the big ruller. Don't know if that makes sense or not, but it is a lot more accurate than using the line on the mat. Good luck!
08-25-2010, 12:58 PM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by kapatt
I just wanted to add that when you sew on your quilt, you should first do a test-strip to make sure that your settings on your sewing machine, your cutting and your pressing are accurate. To do that, you should cut two or three pieces of strips equal width, sew them together and then press them. See if the test strips come out at the right width. If they don't, then make the adjustments you need to make so that they are accurate.
Example...take three 2" strips and sew them side-by-side. After ironing they should measure out to 5 1/2 inches wide.
Because of all of life's happenings, it can take me forever to finish a quilt. I make periodic test-strips throughout my quilt making process just because the settings can be messed with or changed without me realizing it.
Example...take three 2" strips and sew them side-by-side. After ironing they should measure out to 5 1/2 inches wide.
Because of all of life's happenings, it can take me forever to finish a quilt. I make periodic test-strips throughout my quilt making process just because the settings can be messed with or changed without me realizing it.
08-25-2010, 02:20 PM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Clemmons, NC
Posts: 1,055
I use both the mat and the ruler. If the block is 6.5 or smaller I use the ruler mainly which also lines up with the lines on the mat. If the block is larger I use the mat and use the ruler for the straight edge for cutting guide. I really have not had any problems since doing this method.
08-25-2010, 02:52 PM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chaumont NY
Posts: 1,127
My carpenter brother says you would line up at the edge of the line not on it or over it Because that is a question I have often asked Otherwise you will eventually get significant measurage added He explained that if I were to cut 100 one inch strips and sew them together I would probably end up with up to 5 inches extra in measurement
08-25-2010, 04:00 PM
#48
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Grove, OK
Posts: 99
I only use the mat and have never had a problem. I think because I use the mat ALL the time, it comes back to that consistency thing. I don't know how you would cut a 15" square or an 18" square without using the lines on the mat. I don't have a ruler that big! I think one thing everybody said is right - - BE CONSISTENT!
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