Hi from Freezing Rain Northern Indiana

Okay I need help...I cut out squares which are 3" inch size squares...my problem is...is that some of them are not even with the other squares...they are just a hair off a bit...how can I get my squares even with the rest of the squares or what should I do or not do...

Any suggestions/tips would be appreciated it...thanks...

I know I need more practice in cutting and my stupid 3" inch square ruler moves every time and I hate that.

:cry:

I have three of them sewed together..using the running stitch and sewed by hand...

I forgot to mention that....

Sounds like you could use something on the underside of the ruler to keep it from slipping. There are a few different things you can do/get. I have clear non-slip dots on mine. They sell a roll of stuff, i forget the name, that you can put underneath. I think it's like a cling or contact paper. I'm sure someone here can come up with the name. I've also heard you can put a few dots of clear nail polish, but haven't tried that one myself. Small pieces of adhesive backed sandpaper can help. I didn't like that though, mine peeled off.

Could be a couple of things. First of all, make sure you are always using the same line, ie: are you a hair over the line or a hair under the line....... 2nd, you might be cutting too many layers at once or not pushing down firmly enough on the ruler when you slice thru. (Be careful, 5 stitches tell my story!) 3rd, use a ruler than extends over the top and bottom of the fabric you're cutting.

Anyone else have any suggestions, these are the things I would look at.

Your problem is using a 3 inch square ruler. Cut a strip 3 inches wide with a long ruler and then turn the strip 90 degrees and cut 3 inch squares from that.

besides using the regular ruler, not the the 3" one,
don't move the fabric,
carefully pick up the ruler,
after the first cut,
then turn the cutting mat around,
and cut the rest of the block.

the square rulers,in my use, are used for "squaring" up the block..not for actually cutting the block/fabric.. of course, this is only my opinion..and how i do it.

I agree that square rulers are for squaring up. It is tempting to use them to cut but if never worked for me.

The clingy stuff is called Amazing Tape. Love it. Use it to wrap around gift wrap, thread spools and under rulers and templates.

I agree with the others for cutting 3" strips and then cutting the squares from that. When you cut, are you positioned above the ruler? I noticed that when I sit too low, I don't get enough pressure on the ruler and it tends to slip. It may also help to cut single layers of fabric rather than multiples.

When you say the squares are off by "a hair" is it enough to distort the row, or can the next row pick up the slack? You have a little wiggle room.

I have only been cutting in single layers...

the problem with me is that my wrists are weak so I don't have very much strength in my wrist to hold down the ruler and it doesn't matter what size of ruler I use - it is still hard on my wrist to hold a ruler firm enough so it doesn't move. I forgot to mention this in my first post...sorry about that.

I have fractured, smashed my hand, dislocated my right wrist just two years ago due to a fall and it's been broken prior to that lots of times. I am left handed so I always hold the ruler with my right hand and cut with my left. My left wrist is just a tad bit stronger than my right but not very much. I've broken my left wrist several times...I just got my cast off this past year in February off of my left wrist. Thank goodness it was a clean break. My bones break easy too so that is why I can't put too much pressure on my wrists or my fingers. I put as much pressure on my wrist/fingers when I am holding the ruler as much as I can without over doing that.

It is easier for me to hold a 3 inch ruler than a real long one and having to move it twice and keep pressure on it at all times.

I know that if I had stronger wrists than my cutting would be a breeze.

I will try that tape that somebody mentioned on here and see if that will help.

Most of my squares pretty well match up but there are a few that does not match up exactly and they are just a very tiny bit off and I mean tiny.

The cutting is hard for me due to weak wrists and plus I don't have a good long table to work on either...so that is another problem too....I am living in a apartment and right now I don't have a good long table to work on but hopefully soon I will be getting one.

My friend told me that I can go over to her house and use her table to cut on so when I do make my good Table Topper than I will do that and I'll have her help me cut my material for me or somebody from the Quilt Group that I go to.

Thanks for all of your help...I love this board because I can come here and ask a question and you all take time out to reply back...that means so much to me.



:)

Sharon321

Where can I buy the Amazing Tape at? That sounds so wonderful to use.

Let me know...Thanks.... :)

Use scissors instead of your rotary it works for me.

I use the rulers with a "lip" on them, that catches the bottom of the cutting mat. That helps me with my slippage.

yes, you need a bigger ruler.

There are so many methods of cutting out there. Sounds like you need to invest in one of those shape cutting machines. Expensive but you need it.
Short cut methods are many and I like Quilt in a Day and Billie Lauders methods.
Here is a free website for videos.
http://quilterstv.com

using the line is usually my problem with being a little off, I have to make sure its EXACTLY on the line and not a bit over or under

try not to push with your cutter. if you are cutting single layer it should slice fairly easy. the harder you push with your cutter the stronger you have to hold your ruler.

If your squares are just a tiny bit off, you can always compensate when you sew them together. The differences get hidden in the 1/4 inch seam.

Just a wierd thought - could you get C clamps at the hardware and clamp the long ruler and fabric to the table and then use the rotary. I don't know much, just got here. I use C clamps for rebuilding furniture. If nothing else, when you price the C clamps it might help you justify the cost of a strip cutter!

Start saving for an Accquilt Go machine. I can't praise this machine enough for the way it has improved my quilting and my attitude.

Thank you so much for all of your help on this.

:)

I am going to try some of these Tips and let you know which one I will use. I'm going to practice my cutting again this weekend.

Thanks once again...

:)

Make sure the cutter, is straight up and down,aligned with the ruler. some people tend to turn the cutter,and it tends to cut a little under the ruler..which would make the piece a hair short.
don't be reaching very far either. if your holding the cutter properly and it has a sharp blade in it..you should not have to use so much pressure.
my favorite all time ruler is a 4 1/2 x 18,
"Creative Grids" non slip ruler.
they are a good investment. I wish i had known about them when i first started. My ruler collection would of been alot less.
You can get them at Local quilt shops and on line. They are worth the price.
that size is not only easy to use..it is easy to take with you to classes and such.
I have a smaller mat, so i can move the mat, instead of the fabric. 18x24. wait for it to go on sale or use a coupon at Michaels or Joanns or Hobby Lobby.
Good luck, and keep us posted! i know you will get better as you practice more. next to your seam allowance, the cutting is most important!

I use Invisi-Grip on the under side of my rulers. It's a clear, clingy, film. Love it.

Maybe some of the suction cup handles would help you with the ruler. I have weak hands/wrists too and these along with the no slip film on the bottom of the ruler are awesome :D:D:D

Also make sure your blades are very sharp, dull blades cause you to push harder and your ruler will tend to slip more and it's harder on your wrists :wink:

Another thought...maybe wrap your wrists with an elastic bandage while cutting?

if you decide to get a suction cup, try a hardware store or walmart/target!

I bought mine at a quilt shop in Kerrville, TX called Creations. They have a website.

Sharon

[quote=watterstide]
my favorite all time ruler is a 4 1/2 x 18,
"Creative Grids" non slip ruler.
they are a good investment. I wish i had known about them when i first started. My ruler collection would of been alot less.
You can get them at Local quilt shops and on line. They are worth the price.
that size is not only easy to use..it is easy to take with you to classes and such.

I agree with you, the Creative Grids ruler is my favorite also. I am slowly replacing some of the other brands that I bought when I first started with these. They are much easier to hold in place, and really do not slip. It will help you keep things square and with less effort IMHO. Good luck!

oldswimmer,

I splurged and got their 12.5" square up ruler.. I love them all too...

I have wrist problems also and what I discovered...and it really helps...is a suction handle thingy!! It is about 12" long and has a 3" suction cup at each end. What this does is distribute your weight over the ruler more evenly so the ruler doesn't tend to slip or slide. Quilt shops have them but they are also at Lowes, Home Depot or probably any hardware store sold as grab bars.

This site shows what they look like...

www.qualitymedicalinc.com

Thanks everyone...I have it all wirtten down...i will get online and see if I can't find the Creative Goods Non Slip Rulers. and also the Invisi-Grip Clear Clingy Film

Thanks for all of your help.

:)

You can also run a line of hot glue around the edges. But suspect you might be pushing the rotary cutter against the ruler too hard. Try to hold the ruler more exactly vertical so you can just use the ruler for a guide. And keep you little finger off the ruler to the left side (if you're right handed) and it will help stabilize the ruler.

The clingy film does not work that well. I took mine off and tried several other things including the round sand paper things. The only thing that works for me is to hand walk up the ruler while cutting.

With your wrist condition, you would be wise to invest in something like the Accu-cut or whatever it's called!!

Would a pair of wrist braces (such as I wear for carpal tunnel syndrome) be of any help to you?

there are lots of great suggestions here. I agree that I would use a longer ruler, and you need to have a good flat cutting surface that is the right height for you. A table that is too high is hard to apply the proper pressure. So a dining room table may be better than a kitchen counter, for example.

When you are cutting place the cutting edge of your ruler directly in front of your cutting hand. You will be able to apply better pressure with your rotary cutter if you are properly centered in front of your work, and that means the cutting wrist should be going straight forward, the blade should be perpendicular to the table and rolling right along the edge of the ruler, not at any kind of an angle to the ruler or table other than straight up and down.

The little discs you can put on the underside of your ruler to keep them from slipping can be purchased at your LQS or online. In a pinch, you can use little squares of sandpaper that you place on the underside of your ruler with double stick tape.

When you have placed your ruler and you are about to make the cut, take your "ruler hand" and lay it down along the edge of the ruler, so that the inner aspect of your pinky is right along the ruler's edge (on the side that is not the cutting side, obviously!). This will help to stablize the ruler and keep it from sliding and it will be much less pressure on your wrists than if you are using the ends of your fingers to hold the ruler. Most demonstrations of rotary cutting show the person with her hand like a spider on the top of the ruler. I'm suggesting that you put your hand flat on the ruler, with your pinky along the non-cutting edge. *Make sure all your other fingers (especially your thumb) are within the margin of the ruler and are not in the path of the cutter!* As you move the rotary cutter up the length of the ruler, you will have to move your hand up one or two times as well, so slide it up or walk it up carefully. this will prevent the end of the ruler from pulling away from your rotary cutter as you get further away from your body.

I would also suggest spray starching your fabrics before you cut (Mary Ellen's Best Press, available in your local quilt shop or on line is wonderful, but any will do) and once you have some confidence in your ability, it may be advisable to invest in one of the cutting machines (such as the Accucut GO) which is very accurate and it will take a lot of the pressure off your wrists. you will turn a crank to feed fabrics under a die cutter/roller system rather than using a rotary cutter.

Hope this helps. there are lots of great suggestions for you here!
Lisa

Thanks for all of your help on this...I very much appreciate it very much.

:)

The clear film that you put on the underside of your ruler really helps a lot. i have carpel tunnel syndrome and found that my cutting improved very much once I started to use it. You can also get braces to wear on your hands while you cut. Mine have a metal bar down the inside (runs vertically across the palm of my hand)and they seem to help a lot. I also found that if I use a ruler that has a bar on it that kind of hooks over the edge of your cutting mat, it helps a lot. I use a blue rotary cutter (forget the brand name) that really is much easier to use than an Olfa. Another thing I found really helpful is to make sure that your blades are always sharp. It took me awhile to find out what worked for me, but once I did things got way better. Keep trying till you finds what works best for you.

You might want to try the Martelli Ergonomicv Rotary Cutter...it's kind of odd looking but it made a huge difference in my wrist when cutting fabric. I was used to the Olfa rotary cutter and there was a learning curve but I wouldn't trade now...the blades really hold up better also.