sunnyhope

Well i had some fiskars squares as i used as a measurement, the fabric was a scrap so i had to use he smalles one ( its 4 squares in total and its one measurement INside and one Outside on the square if you get me)
I used a pen as i couldnt use my rotary cutter on the inside measurement and then used a ruler and rotary cutter and then cut a 4 by 4 square (or is i called a block before i have sewd it together ? )

it doesnt get all straight; i know maybe a proper 4 by 4 square ruler would probably give better results but what can i do until i get the money to buy the rulers i need?????

please help a daft newbie :oops:

Izy

Sunnyhope, I can only think that maybe the template has moved as you have moved your hands to draw around the inside square. Do they sell 'Bluetack or white tack' in Sweden? It is the sticky stuff that is reusable what you stick posters to the wall with. If you have some of that just place a tiny piece on the four corners and then press the template down on the fabric firmly. This will hold the template while you draw :D

If you have a cutting mat that has measurements on, then I suggest you practice using that to cut your fabric too :D

sunnyhope

yeh i guess it could be both but i just saw this ruler called " All in one ruler from Martingale" (on youtube)
that looked good for a beginner, or what do you think.

i tried using the measurements on the mat but i m a bit unsure on how do do it properly without wasting too much of a fabrick :oops:


its bed for me now but will be back tomorrow, and PS, its Norway :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: very important,lol :wink:

Izy

Duh...don't know Where I got Sweden in my head from....sorry :oops: :D

Practice makes perfect, and I don't know about the ruler, I have an olfa and I was so scared of it at first, I used to get all mixed up too, here's a quick run down.

If you are right handed:

Have the bulk of the fabric on your right had side. Line up the edge of the fabric with the measurements on the board ensuring it is square, if not trim.
Ruler to the left, overlap the ruler by the amount you want to trim off, using the measurements on the ruler.
Use the rotary cutter in an upward motion only, start bottom edge of fabric.
Watch the top of the ruler doesn't slide to the left as you push upwards,
Stop and reposition your left hand up the ruler to avoid this.

Hope this helps :D

Rose Marie

Watch http://quilterstv.com for all kinds of lessons.
I just use my 6 by 12 ruler. It is easier to hold still than a small sq ruler.

Prism99

When you are tracing inside the square, you need to be careful that your pen or pencil is held at an angle so it marks close to the plastic. Just holding the pencil at a different angle for each side will get you off.

To be sure the fabric doesn't move while you are marking, it's a good idea to place the fabric on a piece of very fine sandpaper. That will hold it so the fabric doesn't "wiggle" as you trace.

Did you measure the square before you cut it to make sure that all 4 sides were equal?

Probaby the most important thing when you cut is to make sure that the angles are correct. If you have two rulers with markings, you can make sure the corners are square. Put one against the cutting line, and butt up the other one next to it. Any line on the butted-up ruler should match the line you traced. For example, if you place your cutting ruler on the line you plan to cut on the right side of the square, butt the other ruler up next to it and then check that any lines on the butted-up ruler match the bottom line you traced. (Sorry if that is as clear as mud.)

It's just that the secret to accurate squares is the angle of each corner. You can check that angle if you have two rulers.

montanaquilter

i use cardboard templates. with your ruler draw the size you need and cut out the cardboard as desired. these type work well

Knot Sew

When I first started, I made template squares out of poster board or gift boxes, cereal boxes ect. Then I drew with a pencil and cut with scissors. My first rulers were a set of plastic ones from the dollar store.

I have a draw full of miscut squares and surplus...when I have enough I will sew them all together, regardless of size :wink: :wink:

MadQuilter

I sugest that you check You-tube and watch some of the clips on rotary cutting. No matter what size ruler you use, it is still important to line up your fabric within the 90-degree guidelines (either in the ruler itself or using the lines on the mat with the ruler)

I think you didn't align your fabric on a 90-degree line, and when you cut the next side, your angle was slightly off. Don't worry, it just takes a little practice.

pocoellie

First thing I would recommend is starch and plenty of it.LOL Starch your fabric, iron, then cut. There are some small sandpaper that's sticky on the back side, designed for the squares, rulers. They do help keep your ruler/square from moving so easily. Hope these help.