It's Cupcake again :) I think I figured out that I will need 11+ yards of fabric to make my first project. (CW throw 60X60)

Thing is ... I have never cut pieces out of such a large piece of fabric before. I'm not even sure how to pre-wash it? I have a small Japanese washing machine. :oops:

Can you think of any tips to help me cut 8" squares out of a huge piece of fabric. I have a rotary cutter, a large table, a clear plastic yard stick and a one yard mat.

P.S. Is muslin okay to use? I am thinking so hard I think I smell smoke... haha!

fold the fabric in half, selvage to selvage and then lay it on the cutting board, cut an 8" strip (you need 8" cut squares right?), then cut the strips into blocks. clear as mud??? tee hee

I would think cutting the big pieces smaller, zig zag the edges, wash, starch and then cut into smaller ones is the way to go.

Are you SURE you need 11 yards? I'm not sure of what pattern you're talking about...

Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.

I had to look back at your last post to discover that by CW you mean Cathedral Windows. (My first guess, Civil War, was incorrect.) Please look at this tutorial before buying the fabric, because she gives specific recommendations on selecting fabric and explains why. She also gives directions on calculating how much fabric, and your 11 yards estimate is pretty good.

http://hyena-in-petticoats.blogspot....-tutorial.html

I've never made a CW (now I'm using the abbreviation too!) quilt, but it's on my list. Good luck with yours!

I would love love love to have you show us work in progress photos in a post on this. I always dread doing it because I get the curve on one of the folds. Please? If you do, would you send me a pm so I am sure not to miss it.

Will do! :D

11 yds is a lot for a 60x60" quilt unless you're talking about the backing and binding too. Even then it might be a lot. Oh well, you can always use the leftovers in another quilt or sell them. I never wash a length of fabric over 2 1/2 yds long. It gets too tangled. You can serge both ends to prevent keep if from ravelling or cut it with pinking shears.

Raptureready - I thought it was too much fabric too, until I realized it's a cathedral windows quilt. They do use up a lot of background fabric, but that serves as backing and batting too.

I thought it seemed like a LOT as well, but I don't have a long arm or access to one. So, I thought that a CW pattern would be a nice way for me to start out and end up with something finished and useable.

I honestly have no idea what I'd do with a quilt top after I finished one at this point. *shrug*

It looks like I should get some pinking shears for sure. I'm honestly a little overwhelmed by the prospect of cutting 225 squares out of that much yardage. I have looked for pre cut squares and it seems so much more expensive.