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Brand new quilter needing elementary advice!

Brand new quilter needing elementary advice!

Old 06-19-2012, 04:49 AM
  #11  
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I get bored with cutting 100 or more pieces so I cut a few strips and sew, then go back and cut a few more strips, then sew again. Other people cut everything at once and then sew. I would recommend washing everything first, as Dayle suggested. And, whatever you do..... enjoy the process. Welcome to the joy of quilting.
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:00 AM
  #12  
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definitely prewash all fabrics to help prevent bleeds and get rid of leftover chemicals used during manufacturing processes......actually cutting 112 pieces all at once won't be that bad....since they are all the same size, you can fold your fabric lengthwise so you have the selvages together then fold once more so you have 4 layers (being very careful when folding to get a crisp fold, I use a ruler)....you can cut either the 6.5" or 3.5" and then cut the other dimension....it will go quite fast....cutting a 6.5" strip will yield approx. 10 3.5" pieces and if you lay 2 strips on top of each other you will reduce your cutting time by half!
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:01 AM
  #13  
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I would aso suggest strip cutting and washing fabric. Good luck and post us a pic when finished would love to see your finished quilt. Have fun and welcome fom Southern CA.
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:02 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by betsyjohnson View Post
Yes, I do have a rotary cutter and a mat, and two different sized rulers. This is the pattern I'm making:http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1016
It seems like it shouldn't be too bad for a beginner!
Thank you for the advice! Cutting 112 pieces in a row seemed so overwhelming! Just cutting enough for one row seems like a much better Idea!

What I saw was a variation of the disappearing nine patch. A nine patch is an ideal block to begin with and an ideal block to do with chain piecing. Each row of the 9 patch can be stitched from a strip then cut into the 3 squares across. Then each 9 patch can be cut to make what you'll be using.
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:04 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by betsyjohnson View Post
Yes, I do have a rotary cutter and a mat, and two different sized rulers. This is the pattern I'm making:http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1016
It seems like it shouldn't be too bad for a beginner!
Thank you for the advice! Cutting 112 pieces in a row seemed so overwhelming! Just cutting enough for one row seems like a much better Idea!
Since most here are not recommending strip piecing, I'm going to assume I saw the wrong quilt block. Can you tell me the name of the quilt itself?
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:23 AM
  #16  
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Glad you are with us. Not an answer to your particular question but having been there many years ago I would like to say that if you get frustrated you can buy something precut so as to concentrate on your sewing rather than trying to make your first pieces fit together easily, or you might find someone with an accuquilt cutter to cut you some pieces. There are so many ways to do things and as you learn you will see them all. Enjoy yourself and don't hesitate to ask. These fine people here will share what they know with you willingly. They're great. Enjoy!
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:29 AM
  #17  
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Welcome from NE Ohio.
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:34 AM
  #18  
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Welcome from New Hampshire
And, thanks for the link - makes a great summer quilt, easy to enlarge.

I agree with those who said - cut one block and sew it up, to make sure it's working, before you cut alot
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Old 06-19-2012, 05:36 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Buckeye Rose View Post
definitely prewash all fabrics to help prevent bleeds and get rid of leftover chemicals used during manufacturing processes......actually cutting 112 pieces all at once won't be that bad....since they are all the same size, you can fold your fabric lengthwise so you have the selvages together then fold once more so you have 4 layers (being very careful when folding to get a crisp fold, I use a ruler)....you can cut either the 6.5" or 3.5" and then cut the other dimension....it will go quite fast....cutting a 6.5" strip will yield approx. 10 3.5" pieces and if you lay 2 strips on top of each other you will reduce your cutting time by half!
Teacher Judy Martin recommends cutting the strips lengthwise also. There is less stretch in the lengthwise grain and should make your piecing more accurate. I have recently started cutting this way. If fabric length is too long we subdivide it into a practical size for the length of blocks we are going to cut.
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Old 06-19-2012, 07:05 AM
  #20  
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that's a lovely quilt and the instructions for keeping the blocks organized seems great. be sure to ask any questions you run into.... we're more than happy to help, no matter how elementary
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