I agonize on measuring and cutting. It takes me forever to set the fabric up for cutting. Am I putting too much importance on this?

I see the women on the shows just fly thru the whole cutting part. I understand it's probably just for the show...time limit and all. but I was wondering if people really cut that fast, or do others go like a snail like I do?

I could take a lesson from you, I tend to cut too fast and I pay the price later. I cut out some strips last week and used them for a 9-patch baby quilt pattern, I thought I had cut them acturately but once I started piecing them together, I was in for a suprise for how off I was one one of my colors, it really threw the whole thing off! and I had to do some seam ripping and re-cutting (Grrrr!) I told myself then, that I was going to slow that part down abit and get my accuracy back. :oops: I think that it really depends on the individual, how often they cut, and if they learned good cutting skills in the beginning. I really have the most trouble when I need to cut a large piece, a piece thats bigger than my cutting board, I have a very hard time getting those accurate!

I guess I am like you moonhoney2..........I always worry if I don't cut the piece out correctly is there gong to be enough fabric left, blah blah, blah.

I think the people on the shows spend lots of time before they go on air to make sure all their stuff is correct. Plus they have other steps in progress so they really don't have to worry about the out come of that one cut.

Oh, just because I go slow, doesn't mean I'm accurate! :lol: More often than not, I'm off. which was why I was wondering if I put too much effort into it. That, perhaps if I relaxed and cut faster that I'd get better cuts. Altho, I think it may just be a matter of practice to get to the point where the majority of my cuts are accurate, rather than the other way around. :oops:

For straight (90*) cuts, try one of the rulers with a lip on. It has increased my accuracy incredibly. There are a couple brands - I think mine is Olipfa. If the edge of your cutting board is straight, the ruler will be lined up as it should be.

How does everyone cut? My mom likes to be on the floor with a big mat, whereas I like to set and the table with my feet up. I handle the strips as little as possible. I saw on Sue H.'s quilting show that the more you handle fabric the less precise you can be, so it's better to use a little smaller mat and turn it, instead of the fabric.

I cut strips first, one at a boring time, and set them neatly in a pile, then I take about 2 or 3 strips make sure they are lined up together and cut them into squares or rectangles that I might need. If I cut to many at a time, when I try to go "fast" they end up messed up and I stick them in my scrap box. :roll:

And here i thought i was the only one..i agonize over it too and it takes me so long to get started, even now i have had fabric for a while but havent got the courage up but i am nearly there as Shelley Qs tutorial seems very doable and i might even have a go this morning...

I cut standing up at my sewing table (36" high) - I have no luck sitting down - except if I'm using scissors (buwhwhwhahahahaha)

as for getting in the floor - fugedaboutit.... not gonna happen 8)

I also use the ruler with the 'lip' and I take time to make sure the sides are lined up.... no 'elbows' for me... that happened to me once about 10 years ago and I've been really careful about that ever since....

But I'm not fanatical about it.... I think my quilts turn out..... :wink:

I think that cutting is like that ominous 1/4" seam. Just a few little threads off makes a huge difference. Speed/slowness isn't a matter, but I truly believe that to make a well fitting pieced product it needs to be as totally accurate as possible. I try to eye-ball the accuracy with every whack. I also think that a dull rotary blade makes me push harder and contorts things out of shape more.

Well, i always iron my fabric before cutting, because, after sewing it will get ironed, and i would not want the ironing to stretch the fabric a bit, so i iron it first, then i lay down 4 layers of fabric on my cutting mat. I smooth out each layer with my hands, so each layer is nice and tight. I cut at the kitchen table, standing above the mat, so i can press down on my ruler and cutter. I will take 4 large pieces of fabric, about 11"x20", and i cut 2 1/2" strips, beginning on the right of the fabric, and moving to the left. I always use my mat lines for measuring, my mat lines are very accurate. I don't move the stack of fabric at allo. I cut all my lines in one direction, then if my strips need any cuts in the other direction, i just give the mat a quick spin , and carry on cutting.

I believe too that accurate cutting is as important as an accurate 1/4" seam. Being a thread or two off on each piece can add up in a hurry and end up being a 1/2" or more off when all is said and done. I too use a ruler with a lip and do not have near as many slip ups. I also noticed when I was first using a ruler and rotary cutter that I was not lining up my ruler the same each time. The black line on the ruler needs to be on the edge of your fabric in the same place each time or each cut will be a few threads off. ShellyQ brought that up in her tutorial and showed what I had been doing wrong.

When I cut, I go slowly too. I use a 1/4" seam foot to help with sewing. When I'm finished a block, it never seems to be the size it's supposed to be... about a 1/4" off. I don't know what I've done wrong.

Oh, how do you stop a ruler from slipping? I think that might help with more accurate cutting for me.

They make rulers with a lip on them that hook on the edge of your cutting mat which helps keep the ruler from slipping :D

Amma said: "The black line on the ruler needs to be on the edge of your fabric in the same place each time or each cut will be a few threads off."

That's what i found when i first started cutting fabric, i had a ruler with lines on it, and matching the line to the fabric was number 1 hard, and number 2, too innacurate, that's why i switched to matching the lines on the mat, and not moving the fabric, there is no distortion in the size of your cutting strips then

Oooh, how does t6hat work Amma? If the ruler with the lip hooks onto the side of your mat, how do you move your ruler over for each cut?

You move it the same as a regular ruler. I move it over where I want it and them slide it slightly up so that the lip catches on the edge of the mat. You can then hold it with one hand and not have to worry about it slipping around on you.

oooooh, ok, thank you, i was having a dah moment trying to figure that out, thanks you Amma :) I sure like that everyone here can explain things :)

Thanks Amma! Will look for one now. I just saw your message from 23:40 - about just a a few threads making a difference in the long run. :shock: That's what I'm doing wrong then... :(

I use an Altos Quick Cut or Accu cut mat...
It is wonderful..
I use the lines on the mat as well, everytime
Kirsten

They make rulers with lips on them? I wish I knew that 2 days ago. I just bought a 24" one and a set of squares. :( I could really use that lip.

I put my mat on the floor to cut. This way I can put my whole body into holding the ruler and fabric down. Even then, it moves sometimes. *sigh* I do need to get a bigger mat tho. Mine is only 12x18. I looked at the larger ones. $50 :shock: I'm waiting for a coupon for that baby.

Who is this Shelly Q and where is her tutorial?

How do you keep the fabric from moving underneath the ruler?

Here is ShellyQ's first tutorial and the second one too :D She is a member of our board who has graciously put together a beginners tutorial for usbeginners. She has quite a few tips and tricks throughout them :D :wink:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/6460.page

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/7358.page

If you look around this site there are other tutorials on various subjects that are very helpful also :D

I don't know about the fabric slipping, I only had trouble with the ruler slipping. Maybe someone else will post something to help you with this

And here i thought i was the only one..i agonize over it too and it takes me so long to get started, even now i have had fabric for a while but havent got the courage up but i am nearly there as Shelley Qs tutorial seems very doable and i might even have a go this morning...[/quote]

I tend to take more time cutting as well. However, without sewing a scant 1/4" I still end up off on most (if not all) of the blocks I've done so far. Then it's a pain in the you-know-what to pin and pull to get the blocks to line up correctly. I too like Shelley Qs tutorial on cutting - I am hoping that by using her tips I can avoid the hassles I have delt with so far.

Elbows?

That is my method too - you explained it much better than I could have though!

[quote=moonhoney2]I agonize on measuring and cutting. It takes me forever to set the fabric up for cutting. Am I putting too much importance on this?


Hi there, perhaps this will help, found this in a Mag.
When cutting multiple strips of the same size, to help your eye focus with all those lines on the ruler, place a piece of removable tape (the kind you use when painting a window) just slightly to the left (or right, if you are left handed) of the measurement line on the cutting ruler. Your eye goes directly to the correct cutting line.
Hope this helps you.

Elle

The one thing I heard/read is that the line on ruler is suppose to be on the edge of the fabric (fabric under the line) not at the edge. They said that was the makers of the rulers design them to be used. I like the rulers too that have both yellow & black lines. I think they are easier to read. :mrgreen:

I was just looking at a cutting mat that is 4'X6', I could lay down on top of my ruler and hold it in place, or kneel on the dang thing to keep it from sliding around :lol: :lol: :lol: maybe even shave my legs at the same time :shock: :lol: :shock: :lol:

This is the advantage of paper piecing - I have foung these posts useful as I considering venturing out of the paper piecing.

I put some of that rubbery stuff that R.V.ers use in the cupboards-cut it to size & glued it to the bottom of my rulers. Than I couldn't see some of the lines. Sooooooooooo I bought some rubber cement. Peeled-clawed-dug what it took to get the rubbery stuff off the back.
Spread the rubber cement on the back of the rulers-let it set overnight & viola-my rulers don't slip. If you find that things are slipping around again- just re apply the cement.
Works for me
I also got one of those lippy rulers today @ Hancocks 50% off.
Gotta cover all the bases. LOL

Hi all,

I am from the very old school. I tear my fabric for borders etc. You end up with a lot of strings if the fabric is fairly loosely woven but you know it is straight. It is really hard to cut long strips straight because you have to fold the fabric in order to fit it on a cutting surface.
I have one of those big cutting tables in my basement but have moved my sewing operation upstairs. In my current sewing room I have a bedroom type dresser what used to be called a tallboy. It orginally had legs that I had my husband cut off. It is now perfect height. It makes my cutting and ironing surface at 36.5 inches. After 40 years of sewing and quilting I have a lot of back, neck and wrist issues. I also suffer from a rare autoimmune disease that causes weak muscles. The dresser is not only the right height it offers lots of storage for my quilt notions, markers, rotory cuts, stabilizers etc. It even holds my secret stash of chocolate. I purchased two of those wire kitchen food wrap holders and hung them on the sides. They hold my rolls of embroidery stablizers and one section holds my little travel iron. Over the dresser I mounted one of those potlid hangers from the dollar store. It is a great place to put many of my rulers etc.
When I figure out how to attach photos to this site I will send some of my sewing room set up.

mpspeedy

I tear too when I have lots of yardage, but I can still end up with dog legs, elbows, whatever you want to call them. I find myself after cutting 5 or 6 strips have to resquare up everything and this ends of wasting fabric.

You can buy little stick on sandpaper dots to put on the back of your rulers. Some of the rulers already have them on when you buy them and I still add a few more to it.

Omnigrid puts out a clear plastic product called InvisiGrip that I have on all of my rulers. It's clear so it doesn't interfere with seeing the ruler markings, and it just clings to the rulers so no sticky stuff to worry about. It really does keep the rulers from slipping. A 1 yd roll did a dozen of my rulers in various sizes and shapes. I use a couple of the Olipfa rulers too, and the lip does help.

In my travels, I came across one tip that I can't remember where I heard it from but it has helped a lot - choose your cutting mat lines, or the ruler lines but never mix the two. If they vary, the cuts will be off. I keep the piece I'm cutting under the ruler, and to keep myself from getting confused by the lines on the mat I just turned it over.

I had problems getting straight cuts, and then I watched someone straighten the fabric by matching the selvages and letting the fabric hang in the air to see if it was straight along the fold (and then sliding the selvages along one another until it was straight.) It was new to me! I started doing that, and discovered that all fabric is not created equal - some of my fabric was shockingly distorted when I tried to straighten it this way. I can't imagine getting a straight cut out of wonky fabric.

Does that mean you are lining the selvages up with the fold so the two are parallel?

Yes - the selvages are matched at the top and the fold is hanging below parallel to the selvages. I keep one finger between the selvages where I am holding them so I can slide them along each other until there is no bowing in the hanging part of the fabric. Does that make sense? LOL

I think the accuracy with cutting all depends on the type of quilt you are making. For instance, if I'm making Yellow Brick road, I don't get my knickers in a twist about cutting because I know how "forgiving" that pattern comes together. But, when I made last years Thimbleberries sampler quilt, I knew I had to be very exact in order for my blocks to turn out the indicated size. Regarding cutting: I am a nurse and so I'm concerned about ergonomics and the long term affects that bad posture, etc., can have on the body. Joann's sells a wonder cutting table that is just the right height. It is a "drop leaf" style table, so it folds up to the size of a postage stamp when closed, but provides more than enough space for cutting when opened fully. I might have exagerated a bit about the postage stamp part :roll: , but, seriously, this cutting table takes up very little space in my sewing room when folded up. Hope this helps ~ Nita

I usually cut slowly & with GREAT care (I think??) then when I start putting it together, I find that the size is way off???? Don't know HOW or WHAT I'm doing wrong?? I have been garment sewing for more years than I wish to admit & am used to dealing with 5/8" seams, where you CAN be off a little & it doesn't matter but now with quilting for about 2 years, I think it's the 1/4" seam that scares me! Plus, I think I over-iron! I, too end up ripping, re-cutting & resewing with 1/8" seams! My end result always looks fine but lots of 'blue' words go into it! haha! I am also a perfectionist, I hold myself to perfect seams, etc & when it doesn't come out right I have a fit! But I look at others & mine is just as good if not better! So don't be too hard on yourself, it's supposed to be fun & relaxing! :roll:

I've had a table like that for years & wouldn't trade it for anything! Still get backache if I stand too long but for most times, it's perfect! Mine has a shelf under it which is nice for storing patterns or whatever?? :lol:

Hi all,

This is one of the most frustrating parts of quilting for me, and, making blocks for two years I still have not mastered the cutting or sewing. These past two weeks I have taken all advice and made some practice blocks, noting where I placed my ruler, line off the fabric, on the fabric - also took the time to make several seems on my machine til I "got the perfect scant quarter inch seam".

The first block I had the line just off the edge of the fabric..........no, not right. I think that block will be a 5 1/2 inch when completed in a quilt, not the 6" I was aiming for. The next block came out just fine, using the line on the fabric. Now what happened with the actual quilt block for the wall hanging I am making............ grrh... Thought I had measured and sewed exactly like my second block, but it is almost a 6 1/2" block.

I have come to the conclusion that I will not ever be able to make more than one actual correct size block and I will now adjust to what comes out. I just will never be able to be in any swaps (I think that is where the quilt police live). Even so, I do enjoy the piecing process more than anything and I thank God I am flexible with some things in my life.

Donna