need help cutting an accurate square
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
http://www.joann.com/omnigrid-glow-l...roduct&start=1
In 30 years of quilting, I have never had to cut a 1/4" extra. Mostly it is a 1/2" to give you a finished whole number for your finished square. Can't wait to see your quilt completed.
#14
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: at the foot of the Ouichita Mountains, SE Oklahoma
Posts: 273
ManiacQuilter2, you're right about the extra 1/4" cut being seldom seen, but it is in the Craftsy 2016 Free BOM Garden Charms. She wants it to quilt to a 5" square (which did away with my being able to simply use charm squares.) I don't know what that woman was thinking.
I can't cut it out in a strip like many have suggested because, I'll need the rest for the other quilt pieces. So I must cut only ONE.
I've taken your suggestion about the glow tape. I don't have a 5.5 but I do have a 6.5" one and have marked out my lines. I'm going to try it for a few cuts.
If I still run to trouble I'll just make out that template that someone else suggested and try that.
Thanks all for trying to help.
I can't cut it out in a strip like many have suggested because, I'll need the rest for the other quilt pieces. So I must cut only ONE.
I've taken your suggestion about the glow tape. I don't have a 5.5 but I do have a 6.5" one and have marked out my lines. I'm going to try it for a few cuts.
If I still run to trouble I'll just make out that template that someone else suggested and try that.
Thanks all for trying to help.
#15
In your situation (having a kit and needing to cut various sizes from the fabrics) I would look at all the pieces that need to be cut from the first fabric. Figure out how you can make the cuts efficiently. Chances are that you can cut a strip of some size and then cut many of the pieces from that strip, even if they are different sizes. If necessary, diagram it on paper. I've had to do this many times, especially when running out of a particular fabric.
I agree that 5.25" is a strange size square to cut, but perhaps there's a reason for it. I would read through all the directions to convince myself that they really meant 5.25", rather than 5.5". Good luck.
I agree that 5.25" is a strange size square to cut, but perhaps there's a reason for it. I would read through all the directions to convince myself that they really meant 5.25", rather than 5.5". Good luck.
#16
If it needs to quilt to a 5" square, you need 5.5" to start with. Check the directions again.
Edited: - I just looked at the directions for the first month of the Craftsy 2016 Free BOM Garden Charms. You're cutting squares for an hourglass block. This uses the same math as for side setting triangles, adding 1.25" to the finished size. You will wind up with 4" hourglass blocks, finished size.
Edited: - I just looked at the directions for the first month of the Craftsy 2016 Free BOM Garden Charms. You're cutting squares for an hourglass block. This uses the same math as for side setting triangles, adding 1.25" to the finished size. You will wind up with 4" hourglass blocks, finished size.
Last edited by dunster; 05-16-2016 at 07:59 AM.
#19
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,438
I would also follow dunster's advice - if you need to cut various sized pieces from the piece of fabric in a kit,
draw them out - starting with the largest pieces first.
I have drawn on the back side of fabrics several times - one can use a soap sliver or a white chalk pencil for tentative layouts.
draw them out - starting with the largest pieces first.
I have drawn on the back side of fabrics several times - one can use a soap sliver or a white chalk pencil for tentative layouts.
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 169
I feel so dumb by asking this, but here goes. Is there an easy way to cut a 5-1/4" square? I don't have a special ruler, just a regular ruler one would use with a rotary cutter and I've already messed it up. I measured and cut but My cutter went wonky on me and I've already messed up the 1st square.
I've got several more to go and since I'm working from a kit, I'm not sure I'll have enough material to make mistakes.
After that one went south on me I quit and came straight to you girls. I'm sure some of you can advise me on how to measure and then cut just one. I know how to cut strip and THEN cut squares, but I have never had to cut just ONE 5 1/4" square from several of my fabrics. Yikes!
Help!
I've got several more to go and since I'm working from a kit, I'm not sure I'll have enough material to make mistakes.
After that one went south on me I quit and came straight to you girls. I'm sure some of you can advise me on how to measure and then cut just one. I know how to cut strip and THEN cut squares, but I have never had to cut just ONE 5 1/4" square from several of my fabrics. Yikes!
Help!
(Best Press, Flatter, etc. don't yield the same results for me).
2) Try to use a ruler that's close to the size square you're cutting.
I hope these tips help.
Good luck
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