Cut Twice, Measure Once
 

I may have this backwards. I seem to do a lot of re-cutting or repairing lately. Sure glad I buy extra fabric!

(I tried to make the title in bold and that didn't work out well, either. Guess I'll work on that, too.)

I can't count how many times I've done that lately.

Cari

I know I'd enjoy quilting a lot more if I could only cut straight.

Leslie

Measure twice, cut once. Curse. Cut again. :)

Ain't that the truth! I particularly seem to cut my border fabric wrong...at least lately...

Dina

lol .... that is a familiar theme in my sewing room.

I want to know who moves the ruler while I'm cutting? As you say. Measure once cut twice.

Today just wasn't my day as I cut the same strip wrong twice. Tomorrow is another day so I'll try to get it right in the morning..

it helps to write the size on a sticky note and stick it to the correct line on the ruler. :)

I use blue painter's tape to mark under the line I want to cut on. Then I don't have to remember.

I find that I have to remember more when using a Creative Grids ruler.

It is an old carpenter saying. It is measure twice, cut once! :) I do use it all the time in quilting and have cut down on many mistakes I use to make.

I know I have paid for my Go by having less cutting mistakes for the scrap box. I have the 6 1/2" inch strip die and it's perfect for borders. Each one straight as a board. I rarely cut with a ruler and cutter anymore for basic cuts.

even with ruler, I can't cut straight. I thought I was the only one. I see I have company now.

Especially me! To this day my Mother still says I couldn't draw or cut a straight line if my life depended upon it. I don't argue. It's true.

My sweetie is not allowed in the room when I cut because the overly obsessive perfectionist of an engineer in him tried to correct me one time. Wanted to show me how to cut a straight line correctly. It did not go over well. Things were said, and thrown. I have just accepted the fact that there are some who are meant to cut straight lines and those of us who are grateful when it is 'close enough'.

I'm with you, Lynnie. And as DottieMo says, I wish I knew who was moving the ruler as I cut. Maybe my sewing room is haunted!

Leslie

I guess misery loves company because I feel relieved that I'm not alone. I try so hard to get it right only to find out it's off. I blame it on dyslexia. :)

Thank you all for your sympathies. (Though some of you missed my sarcasm). I know to measure twice and cut once. I had intended to cut a tee shirt 14" wide and 16" tall and got it reversed. Instead of tall and skinny it is short and fat. Oh well, I can (and did) fix it. Just a tad frustrated with myself.

I use the InvisiGrip on the back of my rulers and it helps reduce the slippage. Maybe that hint will help someone else.

I definitely agree.

One of my favorite quilting buddies has this to say: "Measure twice, cut once -- then force it to fit!"

Sounds like we all need more Saturdays and less Mondays --- I think its all the pollen in the air-it has to be affecting my vision. My 3 1/2 inch strips for a king size are all 2 1/2 inches -both times I cut them. Oh well they'll get used some wheres down the line but I thought I'd better take a break before I have to buy more fabric.

I usually do a pretty good job of it, until I have just enough fabric to finish the job - that's when I'll screw it up. Forced creativity.

Put it aside, and cut it again tomorrow or the next day. Sometimes we just have to take a break. Just sit back and relax. It will get better.

I usually make a cutting cheat sheet for myself--large numbers and dimensions that I check a couple of times before cutting. I check each piece off the list after I cut it. The process slows me down a bit but keeps me on track.

That is why I have stash.lol..I buy extra in case I mess up..since I live in small town Iowa ..have to drive to another town for material.

I am so grateful to learn that I am in such good company. I thought I was the only one with this problem.

Been there, done that too many times to count. I just try to be careful, and if I get frustrated, I put the project away until I'm calmer.

Some days that seems to be all I do -- for strips I use the JT Shape cut, but nothing saves me when I do triangles. I try, I try and try again. I normally get at least 1/2 yard extra so I don't sweat the mistakes.

I know what you are saying. I measured twice, double check myself repeatedly, say a prayer and then cut