mizunogirl

Yes rotary cutter, and still sometimes slipping and cutting through the middle!!!
and 2 at once, if it were not flannel, I'd probably try to cut 4, but the flannel...giving me issues. thanks for the help!

davis2se

Just a question? Are your finished squares supposed to be 2" or 1.5". If the finished square is supposed to be 2" you will not be able to get 6 squares out of 12 inch strip, as you have to allow for the 1/4 inch seam on each side of your square - you would need to cut your squares at 2.5 inches each.

peacebypiece

Too late now, but next time you try a flannel quilt starch the fabric after you prewash it. I wouldn't try less than 3" squares with flannel--it's way too supple for tiny details.
As for strip cutting & piecing, are you using a rotary cutter? Is the blade sharp? Be firm with it. You are the boss. You want to cut it, not carress it.
Can't sew a straight seam? Are you using a 1/4" piecing foot? If you don't have one or can't get one, try an old trick. Place a piece of masking tape (or some opaque tape) on the bed of he machine to the right of the needle, front to back. Be sure the left edge of the tape is 1/4" from the needle. Now when you line up the edges of yur fabric with the edge of the tape you will get a 1/4" seam. Just slow down and keep the edges of fabric right next to the tape.

mizunogirl

Oooh Peace by piece, thanks for the tips. the seams are straight for the most part. but I really hate the flannel. Still I'm getting the nine patches together, and once they are done its just a matter of cutting the frame blocks (which are nice and big!!!) and putting it together.
15 more blocks to make.
And no more flannel in my life. ever....I dont care how soft it is!

QandE2010

[quote=Barb44]I agree, if they're a thread off on each block, the whole quilt can end up being a 1/4" or more off at the end.

lynnsim

I don't know what pattern you're using, but this is the one I always use for my scrappy strip blocks: http://home.pmt.org/~awalter/string.html. They are addictive! Remember, when you're cutting the strips, watch your ruler; no matter how hard you try, it keeps moving a smidgen. Maybe you could try this pattern the next time?
Also, for baby quilts, I like cotton on top and flannel on back. That way, flannel is next to baby, but you get ease of working with cotton.
Good Luck!

catrancher

I was going to suggest the buffer too. It's pretty hard to cut infinitisimally exactly, and so you might come up short at the end without a little extra.

mizunogirl

I think in the end this quilt may end up as a toy for my dog!!! But I have learned a lot about Flannel, and gotten some excellent cutting tips.

I am only 6 blocks complete and I want to start the next quilt.

onemoe

When doing strips, you sew one direction and as you add the next strip you sew the other direction.

lollygagging

Just remember when shortening your strips to allow for seam allowances - Hence, three 2" finished blocks would require a 7 ½" strip. (3 at 2½").