feffertim

something that has helped me tremendously is the slide lock ruler. B3fore I started using it, my strips were always off and I wasted so much fabric. This has made cutting a breeze. Here is a you tube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYOoRetnlfM

pw6

I use a slotted 12"by 12" ruler and a12" by 18" slotted ruler and I love them there is also a 12" by 24" out there as well... I want one LOL

JanieH

Others have offered great advice.

Just wanted to say "Welcome" from Houston and glad you are here!

wpbmommy1

Hi! I'm also a self taught YouTube/Internet quilter! I love all of Vanessa's videos and I have also started the sampler quilt. I think I have about 6 blocks done but I've put it down for a while. You will find loads of info and help on these boards. I find that by squaring my fabric a bit and then using my 6"x24" ruler really helps. I made a baby blanket a while back and it was so wavy because of the way I cut my fabric. (Hot mess) I hope you post pics of your blocks. I have mine on Flickr but might post them here also. Good luck!! Also, one "cheater" way I get long strips for sashing is to use Jelly Roll strips which are precut to 2.5" x 44" and sometimes I'll buy a black roll or a white roll. Hope to see some of your work!

sept97

I love the june tailor shape cut ruler. Use a coupon to get it at joanns

oldtnquiltinglady

Welcome to this board from "warming up Middle Tennessee"....I, for one, am very proud of you for having taken someone's advice to join this board. It is the smartest thing I have ever done in my life--and I am an old lady. You will get smart answers from any question you ever present to the members here.

I bought all the tools suggested when I took my first quilting class in 2005 or 06, and use them all faithfully. I can remember the quilting process from my grannie's teaching--cutting out squares or whatever in cardboard and then cutting out little tiny pieces to be pieced together by hand--most of the time by the time enough squares were cut from the cardboard piece, they were way wonky, got the mental picture???? And we were using grannie's scissors that had been used for cutting hair, trimming the cardboard piece, trimming the roses; that picture too????

Good luck, welcome to the board, and keep us up to date on your progress.

palmetto girl

Welcome from SC, You are off to a good start by asking the board. That is where I have learned so much, someone is always willing to help. I have been using the June Taylor cutting mat and never regreted the price I paid for it. It's what keeps me sane when I'm cutting. Hope you will get one soon. Don't give up.

gmcsewer

Maybe you could cut your sashing parallel with the selvedge. I do this with borders as I like to have them going with the lengthwise grain as it doesn't stretch as much. I tend to measure the borders and mark with chalk or something and then cut with scissors as I don't want to mess them up.

Grannyh67

Thank you feffertrim for the link to the video on the slide lock ruler, I just ordered me the 14" and the 24", it looked like it would solve my problems. See I am still learning from this group, I have the Accuquilt Go Cutter but to me it waste so much fabric and you can still come up with wonky strips if you don't have the fabric just right. I would rather just cut mine.

Marsha333

Good video! I will try that.