Back To The Basics--Have I Been Cutting My Fabric. backwards???
 

After watching several quilting tutorials, I am now wondering if I am not cutting properly! To square off my fabric, I place the ruler along the right edge of the fabric and trim along one of the vertical lines on my mat. Then to cut the first strip, I simply slide the ruler to the left and cut the width strip I want using the mat lines to figure the strip width. So I am cutting on the right side of the ruler and my strip is NOT under the ruler. In many of the videos I watched, the teacher squared the fabric like me but then flipped the fabric over so the newly squared edge is now on the left side of the mat and moves the ruler so that the strip to be cut is UNDER the ruler using the lines on the ruler to get the proper width and then cuts along the right side of the ruler. Does it really make a difference? I seem to get accurate cuts but now I am wondering......?

I trim the left side and then use the ruler to make my cuts. (I can cut the left side left-handed & then switch to my right hand.) I do not use the mat lines to cut.

Everyone does it differently. I have done it and was taught both ways, and truly as you pointed out, as long as your cuts are accurate, you should not have any problems.
Happy quilting,
Susan

I cut to the right of my ruler and my fabric bulk is to my right. There are no quilt police so use whatever cutting method works for you. It is often hard to teach old dogs new tricks so it cutting to te left works for you Go Fot IT!!!!

As long a you are cutting accurately it really does not matter.

if when your done your fabric squares are truly the size you wanted then what the heck who cares? I use the omnigrid ruler not the mat lines but to each his own. I think there really are no quilt police :) so your probably safe but maybe keep your curtains closed and the front door locked while your cutting just in case.

I just got the slideblocs and I love them. They aren't a ruler, but hold the fabric down via little dots that come down when you hold the handle on the slidebloc down. That's done on the right side - then the ruler is slipped over the right edge and you butt the slidebloc up to it and cut. Wonders of wonders, it is wonderful!!!

that's the long and short of it.

Jeanne S., I cut like you do. I think I get more accurate cuts this way. I'm right handed.