Somehow instead of cutting the material across the grain I cut it on the up and down grain. I'm making half square triangles and they went together fine. I have 1/2 of them done. Should I keep cutting the way I started or cut from selvage to selvage like I should have. Will this affect anything once I put the quilt together. Guess I was in too much of a hurry.

I'm no expert, but I would think if you cut them square that two of the sides would be on the cross grain?

It doesn't really matter which direction you cut them first.

My thoughts exactly :thumbup:

I do this all the time. I never pay attention to which way I am cutting.

It doesn't matter across or by length...what would matter would be diagonal, which would give you all bias pieces...not good!!

Thank you. You're all the greatest. I panicked for a minute.

Agreed -- it really does not matter which grain line you cut them on initially. If you cut them on one grain line, then one side will be on the straight of grain and the adjacent (connected) side will be on the cross grain. Your bias will still be the same.

I start my cuts on the lengthwise grain frequently since that way I can keep my longest pieces intact for borders.

Don't worry -- no problems there. Keep going.

I agree!

Same here

ditto!

:lol:

Me either

I can't see that it matters unless you have a directional design on the fabric

You are safe! ;)

I think its the same difference - but maybe thats me.

First, there is no stupid question.
Second. it does not matter.

I don't know what I'd do without this group. I was so upset
and you were all there to help me within minutes. I rushing to get this quilt done before Christmas. I need to slooowww
down. Thank you all again.

No matter which way you cut, either way, one side will be on the length of the fabric. No harm, no foul!

Phew.. I read this topic and thought.. OH CRAP! I am supposed to be cutting the fabric a certain way??? :)

:-D

This is so funny. If you're having a good day you probably wouldn't even think about it. Some days things aren't easy and you start to doubt yourself. I just quit today. One of those days that nothing went right. I'll start again tomorrow.

Some authors prefer that the strip be cut parallel with the selvage instead of crosswise.

I also prefer to do it that way - I figure I will have at least two straight edges on a strip when I make the first cut lengthwise instead of crosswise.

As long as you're running with the thread, there is no difference. Getting off track and cutting on an angle would be a problem perhaps, but you're not doing that.

:thumbup: ...have to add, "There are no stupid questions!!"

When cutting borders on the lengthwise instead of the width wise (it's called railroading them) it does make a difference because there is not the same amount of "give" because of the way the fabric is woven, however if just doing a small block it probably won't make a difference.

This proves there are no stupid questions. I learn from every question.

Certainly don't change anything now if they are half cut. If they give and stretch one way - make them all the same. Since it worked so far, I wouldn't change anything part way through.

Agree. Small pieces are Ok either way - it may be more economical to cut across.

Ditto done this for years your ok.

Definitely finish cutting them the way you already did. The pattern on your fabric might have a direction or a "shading". No one will notice anyway. No stupid questions here and no quilt police. Just fun.

I love your attitude!

I totally ignore the grain issue ---- :) As someone said -- if you cut a square, 2 of the sides are against the grain. And scrappy quilts ---- hooahhhh!!! NO, I don't worry about the grain!

Right! Plus I always make mine a bit oversize so I can cut them down a bit to be EXACTLY the size you want. I seem to have trouble with HST stretching, so I do it that way.

That's what I was going to say. :lol:

As a teacher for almost 30 yrs., I always told my 'kids' that no question was 'dumb' or 'stupid' except the one you needed an answer to but never asked...asking questions is how we all learn...so keep asking!!!! I will soon be 62 yrs. young, I am still learning and asking questions!!!! Naomi


:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

i think you are good to go on the way you are cutting them

If it came out fine for the ones you've done, it should come out fine for what you have left to do. The only thing - will this compromise the rest of your fabric for further cuts (i.e., if you need to cut something the whole width of the fabric, the fabric will be narrower where you cut the squares for the triangles.

It doesn't matter that the fabric is narrower. It's white kona and I bought a bolt and just cut 1 yard off until I could see what I needed. It's going much better today. I have 1 whole block together and I've been cutting and getting the smaller blocks put together. The finsihed block is 12 1/2 inches and I have 9 squares to do to finish 1 block. I'm doing card tricks.

Glad it's going better for you. Post a picture when you're finished.

I'll post a picture if I can figure out how to do it.

Doesn't matter.