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Need Help with Cutting Strips

Need Help with Cutting Strips

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Old 03-06-2010, 08:17 AM
  #21  
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I know we aren't supposed to tear fabric, altho I have seen some in fabric depts and even quilt shops who tear it. I have overcome this same problem by tearing, if the fabric is such that will tear. It has saved me a lot of time and my strips came out straight, most of the time. I did a lot of tearing when getting strips ready for my most recent Log Cabin Quilt.
Marta
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Old 03-06-2010, 11:38 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by nancya
I am having a terrible time with cutting strips for my quilt. I am trying a Bargello and need a lot of these. However, I can't cut them straight, my ruler slides...Help! What is the best way to get even strips?
I got a roll of Omnigrid InvisaGRIP at Hancock Fabrics. It's clear plastic which you cut slightly smaller than ruler and smooth on back of Omnigrid rulers. Works great and I assume would cling to other brands (although the scraps wouldn't cling to our remotes to keep them from sliding off the lamp table).

It's $12.95 some places but here's a cheap spot:

http://www.createforless.com/Omnigri...utm_medium=cse
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Old 03-06-2010, 12:44 PM
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Be sure your fabric is straight on grain, iron with starch and it will be easier. The key seems to be preparation of fabric.
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Old 03-06-2010, 03:40 PM
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Try starching and ironing your fabric. Cut better for me.
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Old 03-06-2010, 04:18 PM
  #25  
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I put my cutting mat on my ironing board so that I can adjust the height. I always stand to cut as I like to be kind of over the cutting mat to create an even pressure on the ruler.
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Old 03-06-2010, 05:10 PM
  #26  
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The no skid drawer liners are cheap and can be glued to the back of a ruler. they are no skid and won't mar fabric like sandpaper might.
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Old 03-06-2010, 06:19 PM
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Try the light weight clear vinyl sold at Hobby Lobby or Hancock's in the drapery dept. Comes on a roll, 54 inches wide, and 1/4 yard will cover the bottom of a lot of rulers. It's $2.99 a yard and 30% off at Hobby Lobby. I've got it on all my rulers to help them grip and not slide on my fabric.
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Old 03-06-2010, 07:11 PM
  #28  
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Heavily starch your fabric before cutting - I use a June Taylor Creative Cut Ruler - It is slit every 1/2" - helps me make straighter cuts.
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Old 03-06-2010, 07:45 PM
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I just want to thank all of you for your tips. Penny
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Old 03-06-2010, 08:05 PM
  #30  
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I got the ruller with the slits in it and my cutting improved tremendously. I just cut all of the strips for a queen quilt for DD and they came out great and it was much faster because you cut multiple strips before you have to move it.
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