Cutting Binding Strips
 

I have been cutting strips to make binding using my ruler and rotary cutter. I know there has to be and easier, quicker, more precise way to cut these strips.....any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

The only other way I know of is using my Go 2 1/2 strip cutter. I will be watching to see what other great ways there are :-)

Happy Sewing
T

I use my June Taylor shape cutter. love it!

http://store.junetailor.com/store/p-...cut-ruler.aspx

Bought mine at Joanns with 50% off coupon years and years ago.

I couldn't cut strips without my June Taylor Shape Cut ruler. It has saved my sanity. I didn't understand how to use it at first, but once I figured out how to fold the fabric correctly....well, worked wonderful for me. Following the instructions really helped. I bought one of mine at Wal-Mart, but I am sure Hobby Lobby or Hancocks has one.

Google it and look at it. It sure makes cutting strips (or anything, really) easier. It may be just what you need.

Dina

I use the June tailor shape cutter or strip cutter. I forgot what the correct name is and I am not at home. Sorry

Ah, Dakotamaid beat me to it....and with a place to look at it too. Way to go!!!

Dina

I also use my Go cutter! I'd go insane without it as I can't cut straight to save my life!!

I gave mine away years ago and after watching the video I'm sure sorry. Guess I will have to reinvest!

June Taylor...and i'm not one to like gadgets but that thing is the bomb! And not just for strips...i can cut 200 little squares in no time.

I have the Go Strip dies and the June Tailor Shape cut ruler. I rarely use my Go! The June Tailor ruler is so much more convenient and it really gets a workout in my sewing room!!!

The June Taylor strip cutter I sometimes get the V in my strips, even when I fussy fold just right. I use it to cut wide widths just fine. I use my Go and have every size strip die for it. The easiest way for binding is to rip lengthwise. I like to buy the 108" backing and rip it into long strips. You'll get lots of strings ripping but those don't bother me.

What is the problem you are having in doing it this way?

Maybe I am the odd one out here ......... when I have my fabric properly pressed and folded I can cut my binding quite quickly, and with precision, without any problems. So, perhaps explain where your problem is?

I love my GO strip cutter. Wouldn't use anything else.

I do to bellaboo I don't know what the.... H I do wrong no matter how I fold and refold

I have 3 different June Taylor strip cutters. Guess I am lucky. All of my strips are straight and the correct size. The June Taylor strip cutters have been a time saver for me. Hardly a day goes by that I am not using one of them. Even with a discount, they were expensive; but when I look at the time I save and the accuracy I achieve, those strip cutters have more than paid for themselves.

When pressing I match my selvedges as closely as possible. I use the fold edge to square up my fabric. Then fold again, carefully matching the cut (squared) edge. I also square up again after several cuts.

I use the Go cutter

Cutting mat, 24" ruler and rotary

I'm another June Tailor fan. I have the strip cutter and a couple smaller ones. Also great for converting a pile of scraps into piece-able pieces!

My first cut is always a small strip cut down the right side. I unfold it to make sure there are no v's in it. Refold and check again if there are any and if not, you have a great edge to butt the ruler against.

I use my mat, ruler and rotary cutter...doesn't take much time....am I missing something? Will have to check the other cutters out.

I use my ruler, mat and rotary cutter also.If it hard for me to make accurate cuts by cutting only two thicknesses of fabric so I fold the fabric in half with the cut ends together so I can cut for thicknesses and that seed I up. If I am just cutting strip from many fabrics I layer at least three fabrics together, sometime even four fabrics. I the rotary blade is sharp you shouldn't have any trouble cutting eight layers.

I was going to say rotary cutter and ruler, but then I looked at the photo in the link of this "June cutter". I thought WOW!! Hey! That's my ruler!! I love that thing. Once everything is all lined up, I cut strips to my hearts content!! I had no idea it had a name. I just call it my ruler with the slots... I bought it on clearence at my LQS because the omnigrid I wanted was too expensive.

It takes me about 1-2 min. (or less) to cut about 8 strips. I agree with the others...what is the problem with using a rotary cutter and ruler?

As long as you aren't making bias binding you could rip LOF strips, which is the only way I'll rip, WOF gets a bit wavy but LOF are dead on exact as long as you measured exact...and quick and easy.

I also use June Taylor Shape Cutter and Quilt in a Day has it on a Black Friday special right now. BUT I also use with it a big Plastic coated clamp that DH bought me from a hardware store to clamp one end to my cutting table edge like a third hand. I have the accuquilt but I constantly use the June Taylor!

Not many know that you have to resquare the edge of the fabric after you cut the amount of strips the width of the fabric. Example, when you cut 2 1/2" strips you have to resquare the fabric after 3 cuts, 4 inch strips resquare after four cuts and so on. I learned this at a Paducah quilt show class by Omnigrid. Class members all cut six strips of 2" fabric. When we measured the last few strips they were off from the first two. Then we cut six more and resquared the fabric every two cuts. The strips were all the same.

They have the June Taylor Shape Cut Ruler on Amazon for $29.27. That's an excellent price!

The shape cutter is the way to go!

Wow, BellaBoo, this is great information! Now to remember and do it! Thanks for sharing that expertise!

Thanks for your responses! I may just have to invest in the June Tailor ruler today at 40% off! BellaBoo-fantastic information to resquare the fabric! I have never known to do that...I just start whacking and stop when my cutting board runs out...no WONDER I have wocker-jawed strips!!!!! I am about to go cut another yard or so into binding on the WOF so I will be sure to resquare. Thanks again everyone, and have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

I just use my 6x24 regular ruler and cut away on my mat with a rotary cutter. It goes fast and I don't have a problem. Thanks for the tip about frequent squaring up. I join the ends with a 45 degree miter and they all but disappear to make my strips long enough. I make my borders whatever width I want and my binding strips are 2.5" usually.

June Taylor Shape Cut ruler on sale at Quilt in a Day.

I learned a trick for cutting fast, easy, and accurate bias binding since that is all I use.
Bias binding- Open and press all creases out of fabric. Fold one corner across diagonally (selvedge to cut edge) gently press fold by hand. Now take right side of the angle and fold it to the left just over halfway, keeping fold lined up with itself. repeat with left side. Fold bottom of fabric just to the top, not past it. Now starting at the lower end, lay your ruler parallel to the 'new' bottom fold, cut off a skinny strip to get rid of the fold, then measure and cut your width, repeat to the top fold. A full yard can be cut in minutes. If any of you would like to see this in pictures let me know and I will make a photo tutorial and post it.

I have a 2 1/2 inch by 18 inch from Omnigrid which I use constantly. You have to make sure your fabric is folded correctly. If I recall, there is also a 3 inch, 4 inch and 5 inch ruler as well.

I have the June Tailor Shape Cut and the Quarter Cut rulers and I love them. BrendaK

I do not have the June Taylor shape and cut. But I do have the roller/ruler cutter and I absolutely love it! It's not the Fiskars brand but another brand. I ordered it when I couldn't find the Fiskars. Nancy's notions did have it for sale. I ordered mind from Eleanor Burns. This is the one where the rotary cutter is attached to the ruler. It is a really neat item to have for cutting strips.

Quilt in a Day Black Friday special gets it down to the normal price at Hancocks. Then you have to add shipping. Hancocks will have it Black Friday for 50% off. I went today to Hobby Lobby which has it about $4 cheaper than Hancocks and I used a 40% off coupon.

I got mine at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon for $14.99 plus tax.