Check your Layer Cakes
 

Just wanted to shout out, check your 10" layer cakes before joining, I've had 3 lots that are short and wonky, I can't be that unlucky so.... I did get another lot sent out and it was the same, whole pack 1/2 " short. Not time saving then. I do have 2 perfect packs thank goodness! I have only bought 5 in total.

Pre cuts are great when they are true... Have cut them to 9" now..

I haven't checked my layer cake but I did buy two different set of 5" charms (different companies) and they have a 1/2" difference between them. I agree the time savings was lost.

That's not acceptable, is it, we will all lose interest in precuts ...we can take a ruler to the store, but tricky when online purchases though.

I love the idea of precuts with the range, but standards need to be kept I feel..

do any of you complain directly to the company that makes them. Only way to correct the problem and you might even get a replacement.

Thanks for the post. Running off to check mine now.

Oh that is not good!!!

I won't buy anymore charm packs. Not true to size.....:thumbdown:

Yes, that does happen, unfortunately. It would help if you could tell us where you purchased them. That way we'll have a heads up if we decide to purchase them. Recently, I have not been happy with my online orders. I usually buy from my trusted sites, but sometimes I see something I like and order it, only to be disappointed in the fabric I receive.

yes I wrote to company and got...no answer. Shop sent another pack - same. Next time a refund thx

Penny, If I tell you or whinge too much this thread will be pulled. Just please beware, check and return if necessary, lets not put up with it, then they will check it better! thx. I am cutting each one now- sigh

I have purchased many pre-cuts - I consider myself the pre-cut queen - I have never had any trouble with my pre-cuts - I only purchase Moda, Kaufman and Riley Blake pre-cuts - I am leary of the Walmart pre-cuts but have bought them in the past too. I like the convenience and having the whole collection - I always get compliments on how well I use color - so that is my secret - I use pre-cuts - all the fabrics coordinate. Also, I try to buy when I get a good deal - I have several sites I check and look for savings codes, etc - rarely do I pay full price

I've never had problems with Moda precuts. But the Benartex charm precuts I got from Missouri Star quilt co were a mess -- wrinkled fabric translating to irregular cuts, a whole bunch of 1 and 2 inch strips mixed in, a the zigzag cut was so wide that the actual usable portion of fabric was about 4.5 inches. However, the pack which was supposed to have 42 pieces actually had 60, and I only paid $1.99 on one of their daily specials, so I let it slide. I will be cautious about purchasing precuts from that company in the future, based on my experience.

It's been a while since I did any sewing.Have several pre cuts waiting to be used,but needed a baby print for a crib quilt.My fav has always been Moda & ordered 3 packs of Moda charms from a company I had bought from before.

Talk about being surprised.:rolleyes: They are wonky for sure.If I pin 2 sqs together,the opposite side will be short.Really don't know how this quilt is going to turn out. Doubt I will use pre cuts again.

I think with any pre-cuts including fat quarter unless they are done/cut by the LQS many are off size. I can not tell you how many times over the pass years, yes years once the manufacting was sent overseas, I have gotten uneven, mis-cut and/or wrong inches. These are done at the manufactors, the store/shop has no idea they are off most of the time what is under the first couple of squares or unless they unfold each or open up, measure and look at each pre-cut in the group.

And yes I have gotten fat quarters many times that I'm sure where cut from the middle of the fabric, there was no savage.

I don't buy precuts. I have made quilts that call for them, so I cut my own.

I have bought Moda charm packs that were not the correct size. I complained to the Company and got them replaced. If they don't know about a problem they can't fix it!

I've been fairly lucky! I usually only buy moda....charm packs I buy to get a look at each print, they are usually used for appliqués. I've used several layer cakes and jelly rolls with no issue. Glad to see moda is great and replaces! I don't have access to quilt shops so I go with quality. Just please remember it's not the shops fault, it's the manufactures fault. I hate to see a shop lose business because of something not their fault....we're losing enough stores to the economy issues

Lots of interesting comments, agree shop is not at fault but they have to accept responsibility, as I say they sent me another pack and it was just the same! Maybe shops need to check them before posting out...

I have never bought from Walmart. Mine are also well known brands. I love idea of pre-cuts, I'd just like them to be consistent, we pay more for the luxury after all.

I think you should take the time and write to the manufacturing company. I recently had a problem with Moda's Bella line and wrote to United Notions, their parent company. I was very surprised that they answered my e-mail within 48 hours and explained what the problem could be. They even said that they were going to bring up the problem with the their technical people. Nothing can be fixed if the companies don't know about the problem. This problem with measurement should certainly be brought up

There are several patterns on the Missouri Star Quilt Company that will use any size square. For what layer cakes cost, I would square them up and adapt them for one of those patterns so they will not be wasted money. I made the Big Star quilt from MSQC in Christmas colors and it is beautiful. The10 minute quilt block from Suzzanne (somebody) would also work with any size block. It's kind of a lost savings to have to recut them but better than throwing them out;.

I don't like precuts because of the pinked edges...too hard to get an accurate seam allowance. Besides, I like choosing my own coordinating fabrics for a particular project.

I don't like pre-cuts because of the extra time it takes to pre-wash them. Add that issue to the additional price and the chance of bad cuts, and it just isn't worth it to me.

I use precuts a lot because I do like the variety of go-together fabrics and colors in them. I don't think I have ever got a perfectly cut package. I also have never got a perfectly squared panel. It really is the "nature of the game" with fabric, and until the fabric companies start using die cutting or laser cutting machines, that is just the way it is. To my knowledge none of the fabric companies are doing this - all the fabric is being hand cut. However, I have heard that Hoffman has bought a die cutting machine and will start using it soon for all their precuts. I heard that about a year ago from a fabric rep at my LQS, but I haven't seen any results yet. I am still waiting though. . . .
Also, I have read and been told that you should never prewash precuts.

I purchased a layer cake pack from MSQC and I notified them and they offer to replace, they told me they were aware of the problem and were working with the company that does the pre cuts. Hope it is corrected, because we are getting cheated if they are not a true size

I forget which maker of batik precuts finally put out a notice that the cuts might not be even. My friend was looking at the Batik jelly rolls, and told me she saw the notice. I don't know if the store put it up or it was on the package. If it WAS on the package, that's good. If you know the pieces are off, you can cut yardage to match and no problem. I bought a roll and most were 1/8 off, which was just enough to mess up a pattern if you cut the other pieces from yardage which I did.

The precuts do look attractive in the rolls or packages, but after I open the package I find many I can't use. There might be 5 different varieties of one color in the pack, but mixing a grayish or magenta hued blue in with a true blue looks off depending on the pattern. I prefer colors to have the same values. If I'm using a warm brown, I prefer all the other colors on the warm side. I like Southwestern colors, and even if the design is made for blues, batiks, whatever, I'll change the colors. My idea of what goes, and the designer's idea are two different things. I'd think nothing of using a Civil War pattern in southwestern colors. That's why we quilt, isn't it?

No more precuts. I only had 3 jelly rolls so I gave most of them to a friend. I'll pick yardage to my taste and often it isn't even the same line of fabric.

Oh yes! Sad but true. I have had this happen more than once. We all need to let the companies know. I have written moda and another one-can't remember. Moda wrote back like they were totally shocked! NOT so please let the companies know. We pay a premium price for precuts and I think they should be accurate.

That has happened to me all the time. Was very surprised the first time, but not any more. I always trim them now before using, even if I end up with 9 1/2 squares. At least they are even. Rarely buy pre cuts now for that reason.

doing the envelope square from MSQC and my pre-cut layer cakes were not the same size. Had to cut them down. Was very upset as I was in a time crunch and wanted a fast top. I think the fabric manufactures are in too big a hurry and using too many short cuts.

I've only bought precut strips at Quilt Shows. That way, I can actually look at the colors. I should probably carry a small ruler to check out the measurements now that I've read this thread!
I have an Accuquilt Go and cut my own charm squares and strips when I'm using a pattern that calls for them, though that means I'm not getting 1 piece of every fabric in a collection. I trust my own color choices and work from my stash - which will outlive me!

I agree Holice. The quilt store or online company has no control, but they too should know what companies are not cutting correctly.

check your Jelly Rolls
 

I ordered a jelly roll and when I went to use it, it was cuts with the selvage attached. It was cut along the selvage, so, I have to cut the selvage off all those strips to use them. Needless I don't order jelly rolls anymore

I had two Moda charm packs, one was fine, the other one was 1/2" short too, and they no longer made the pattern so I had to cut them all down as well, I did not mind because they were given to me so I made do.

They were Cut along the selvedge! No! Hope you told the shop or manufacturer. Poor you that's really awful

Well at least I know I'm not the only one. Here is to an improvement in the cuts, lets hope! Lets not put up with it. Good luck all. Thanks for comments x

I've had a lot of issues with layer cakes in the past, but haven't had problem with the Charm packs. I think the worst offense with the LC is that they are not true to the weave ...

I buy a lot of precuts but only Moda or Connecting Threads. I haven't had a problem so far. I know these companies will correct the problem if I find one.

I put a post on this last year when I was starting to cut out a pattern for my DG's quilt. They were all 9 3/4". I called Missouri Star and they couldn't believe it, then measured and said I was right. I then called the company that made them in New York and they couldn't believe it either. Some one needs to get this right, if you buy a layer cake, it should be 10" square and not 9 3/4".

Is it me, or do precuts actually work out more expensive than buying yardage in the amounts needed? Kind of like buying skim milk or decaf coffee...the more you "do" something to an item, the more expensive it gets.

Anita

I don't buy precut fabrics because they are so expensive and as everyone said, often not cut accurately.

I haven't had any problem with Moda, Kaufmann or Hoffman, but Tonga Treats are horrible. The 2-1/2" strips have a bend in the middle. And the 10" squares I bought were 9'1/2" x 10". I had to square all of them up. I won't ever buy those again.

FYI: I was at a very well known KS quilt shop and mentioned this to the owner. She asked if I had gotten "extra" (usually 42 , 10" in a layer cakes" she stated that sometimes the manufacturer will give an extra print when they come to the end of a bolt and they know the measurements may not have been true.. I did not count my layer cake as I had already used it, but that is something to keep in mind the next time.