Cutting a straight strip?
#21
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Actually, it doesn't matter how the edges of the fabric are lined up. All that matters is whether your ruler is a perfect 90 degrees from the fold. Any deviation from 90 degrees will result in a "V" at the fold.
Once I line up my cutting ruler, I check its trueness to the fold by butting up another ruler to it. If the first ruler is true, the second ruler should line up perfectly with the fold for its entire length. If it doesn't, I adjust both rulers until my cutting ruler is perfect.
If you think about it, you realize that you can also cut bias strips this way. How the ends of the fabric line up don't really matter in terms of getting a straight strip without the "V" at the fold. Grainline is a separate issue from the dreaded "V" at the fold.
Once I line up my cutting ruler, I check its trueness to the fold by butting up another ruler to it. If the first ruler is true, the second ruler should line up perfectly with the fold for its entire length. If it doesn't, I adjust both rulers until my cutting ruler is perfect.
If you think about it, you realize that you can also cut bias strips this way. How the ends of the fabric line up don't really matter in terms of getting a straight strip without the "V" at the fold. Grainline is a separate issue from the dreaded "V" at the fold.
#22
Originally Posted by MamaHen
Hold your fabric up-salvage to salvage, now move the front salvage piece left to right- right to left, until the fabric looks straight from side to side. If you see little waves in it, it is not straight. It takes a little practice, but it helps. I find that more than a yard or so is a bit much to hold. I also found that if I press out the middle fold, the fabric will fall straighter. Good luck.
#24
I tried several ways of cutting & always had too many V strips.Then...started using my June Taylor slot ruler.Poor thing had been waiting a couple yrs to be needed.Shame on me! It works great & my strips are straight !
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Originally Posted by mom-6
I beg to differ on grainline and 'v' being different issues. The object of both is to have the cut be straight on grain.
If the question had been how to cut a strip on the straight-of-grain, my answer would have been different.
#28
Here I go referring to the old Home Ec. class again. Seemed we learned a lot in the dark ages.
If you REALLY need to have straight of grain, you can always pull a thread and cut. Just start at a salvage edge and clip in, pull a thread loose and pull and pucker it gently until it breaks. It will leave a little line you can follow and you can do that all the way across the piece. Takes a little time, but in garment making, getting the grain straight was crucial as to how those full gored skirts would hang. I still use it for my quilt pieces if my fabric is wonky in relation to the salvage. It will probably amaze you how much it is off. :roll: :lol:
If you REALLY need to have straight of grain, you can always pull a thread and cut. Just start at a salvage edge and clip in, pull a thread loose and pull and pucker it gently until it breaks. It will leave a little line you can follow and you can do that all the way across the piece. Takes a little time, but in garment making, getting the grain straight was crucial as to how those full gored skirts would hang. I still use it for my quilt pieces if my fabric is wonky in relation to the salvage. It will probably amaze you how much it is off. :roll: :lol:
#29
Originally Posted by MamaHen
Hold your fabric up-salvage to salvage, now move the front salvage piece left to right- right to left, until the fabric looks straight from side to side. If you see little waves in it, it is not straight. It takes a little practice, but it helps. I find that more than a yard or so is a bit much to hold. I also found that if I press out the middle fold, the fabric will fall straighter. Good luck.
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12-05-2010 08:57 AM