Cutting Question
 

Good Morning Everyone, Still newbie and still learning, so many questions pop into my head all the time. I was wondering, when you sit down to make a log cabin quilt, or any 9 patch etc, do you cut many strips before you start and then choose them, or do you just choose the fabrics as you go and cut them as you go? I might be confusing everyone, but let's say I have a nice piece of fabric, should I cut it all into strips to use or some strips and then maybe some squares for another quilt? Do I cut what I need and then just put it away? I am a very structured person and I want to get away from that and make more unplanned scrappy type quilts so they are more colorful and mixed up. I just can't seem to get away from my structured ways of planning a quilt on graph paper and then just using the same fabrics repeatedly in it. I don't have large amounts of fabrics, just what others have kindly shared with me, so I was hoping someone could instruct me better on cutting them??? I sure hope I haven't confused everyone? Thank you so much in advance for any advice you can give me. I am becoming so addicted to the fabrics and quilts I see on here. Have a great day. Rachel

I get coordinating colors together and go from there. I have different boxes of similar color scraps. Like browns/beige/tan in one. Blues in another, reds/pinks, etc. Then I'll look and see which boxes/colors I'll put into the scrappy. Keeps my OCD in check. Otherwise I could sit for hours before I did the first scrappy block.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t135936.html

Hi Rachel--I'm pretty much a newbie also---I've been quilting for about 5 years and slowly learning so much--mainly from this board. I cut my fabrics for whatever pattern I'm doing, but then I cut scraps that would be too small to do anything else with into 2" squares or 3" strips that I'm collecting (for who know's what!). I leave larger scraps intact, to use for applique or small sewing projects. Check out Bonnie Hunter's Blog Bonnie Hunters Quiltville. She's the queen of scrap quilts. She also publishes lots of books of scrap quilt patterns. Also the link I posted above is a Quilting Board thread in the Pictures Forum that's been going on for several years. It's pictures of scrap quilts posted by members. I've been looking at the pictures for months and haven't gotten through it yet, but you can surely get an idea about working with scraps.
It's great that you're looking to stretch yourself "outside the box". That's part of the fun of this wonderful hobby...and this board is so giving and wonderful to help do just that.
Welcome!

I wouldn't precut my fabric. I only cut for whatever pattern I'm making. If you feel like you're making quilts that are too planned out, look for a pattern that is scrappy and go buy small amounts of different fabrics to make it. You don't have to spend a lot , maybe just enough to liven up your stash.

Being very structured myself, I probably won't be much help to you. I would leave larger pieces intact for future projects. As IQ2 suggests, maybe just chop up the smaller pieces for use in your scrappier quilts. This way, if you have a desire/need for a more structured pattern, you have a better chance of having those fabrics available.

I am not one that is much on log cabin but I have done a number of 9 patches. With Eleanor Burns method, you can get two 9 patchs from two 8" square. One is called positive and the other negative. I tweak a lot of pattern to where I am comfortable making them and I cut as a go. You need to find what method you are comfortable with and go with it. Good Luck and just remember to have fun since this is a hobby !!

I do chain piece the parts of my quilts ... but, while I do have the full amount of material needed, I only cut out manageable portions at a time. This being that the first cuts are much less numerous than others. That way if I make a mistake due to being distracted/interrupted and making errors.

I only cut what I need for my planned projects. Any leftover fabric stays whole. Because I never know what my next project will be I don't want to have cut it into strips then have a pattern that calls for larger squares or rectangles. You can always cut it down you can't put it back together!!

Good question and can be done numerous ways depending on your comfort level and predelictions.

For both 9P and Log Cabin blocks to be successful, you need contrast in Value of your fabric. Since you do not have a large stash, maybe you just need to get a few Fat Quarters to add and make it look more scrappy.

I am one that can do all the cutting and then pull from and bag and just sew together. For these blocks I would have two bags or piles. One for light fabric and one for dark. The mediums can go to either one. Not everyone is comfortable with that. So maybe cut a few pieces and put some together.

Whatever I do though, if it is new block, I cut enough for one and make it. Then if I don't like the placement or some fabric in the block I can make a change before I cut up all my fabric.

Even When I make a scrappy quilt like a log cabin I cut as I go. I do this for all my quilts. It would be very hard for me if I discovered I cut an entire quilt wrong after the fact.
peace