fussy cutting?
08-04-2012, 03:12 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 2,616
Originally Posted by PaperPrincess
I put sandpaper dots on my ruler and use a turntable mat. Even though I'm cutting small squares (I'm currently cutting 3.5" butterfly squares) I use a large turntable and roll up the excess fabric on the cutting board, so everthing turns when I rotate the board.
08-04-2012, 03:24 AM
#22
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Keene, New Hampshire
Posts: 4,211
Originally Posted by PaperPrincess
I put sandpaper dots on my ruler and use a turntable mat. Even though I'm cutting small squares (I'm currently cutting 3.5" butterfly squares) I use a large turntable and roll up the excess fabric on the cutting board, so everthing turns when I rotate the board.
I use a Fiskar rotating square mat for anything 6" and under. It takes up less space on my table and thus maneuvers easily. I buy them with a coupon at Joann's.
08-04-2012, 04:06 AM
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by mme3924
I bought some cute chicken fabric and want to cut the chickens out in a 4-1/2" square and make them the center of a block. I tried using a June Tailor 4 1/2 " ruler that I bought for something else and a rotary cutter, but boy, does that little ruler move around, no matter how firmly I hold it. It's maddening. Too, using the rotary cutter is awkward around 4 sides and difficult on corners. So I'm thinking it may be easier to draw around the ruler and cut the squares with scissors. How do the rest of you do it?
08-04-2012, 04:48 AM
#26
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
Thanks so much to all of you!
I learned much here today. Putting sandpaper dots, rubber cement, nail polish with salt, or something similar on the bottom of rulers to keep them from moving, especially the smaller ones. And I appreciate all the methods of fussy cutting suggested.
I drew lines around the chicken(s) and cut the squares with my long ruler and rotary cutter. I think I messed up, though, because I drew lines with an ordinary pencil, then stupidly pressed some of the blocks before erasing the lines. They may be permanent from the heat, even though I've erased them as well as I can.....also erasing is not good since it stretches the fabric. Live and learn! ;-)
I intended to just center the chickens in blocks made of strips but then decided to do an attic window, which I've never done. I'm adding sashing to give the windows more dimension (I hope); funny but when you look through the camera lens, the "windows" are so much more obvious. If it turns out at all as planned, I'll post a photo.....eventually.
;-)
Thanks again for everyone's comment!
Marilyn
I learned much here today. Putting sandpaper dots, rubber cement, nail polish with salt, or something similar on the bottom of rulers to keep them from moving, especially the smaller ones. And I appreciate all the methods of fussy cutting suggested.
I drew lines around the chicken(s) and cut the squares with my long ruler and rotary cutter. I think I messed up, though, because I drew lines with an ordinary pencil, then stupidly pressed some of the blocks before erasing the lines. They may be permanent from the heat, even though I've erased them as well as I can.....also erasing is not good since it stretches the fabric. Live and learn! ;-)
I intended to just center the chickens in blocks made of strips but then decided to do an attic window, which I've never done. I'm adding sashing to give the windows more dimension (I hope); funny but when you look through the camera lens, the "windows" are so much more obvious. If it turns out at all as planned, I'll post a photo.....eventually.
;-)
Thanks again for everyone's comment!
Marilyn
08-04-2012, 08:46 AM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern California & New Mexico
Posts: 153
Originally Posted by Deborahlees
I have also found it helpful to use my small rotary cutter for this type of work, rather than my 60mm, either my 28 or 14mm
08-04-2012, 09:14 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,884
You could also use quilters template plastic to cut out a square that is the size of the block plus 1/4 " on each side i.e. a 4 inch square that will finish as a 3 1/2 inch block. I have a small board I glued a sheet of extra fine sandpaper to and put my fabric on that and trace around the template, then cut with a scissors.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
3
04-18-2010 07:26 PM
