how to cut long strips straight?
 

I see these patterns that saw cut 2"x42" strips. I wonder how anyone can do that and keep it striaght? I only have a 12x12 cutting board. I have tried it by moving the fabric little by little across my cutting mat but that seems tedious. What better way is there?

You could double fold the fabric having four layers to cut through. You need a bigger cutting mat. Walmart has big cutting mats that are inexpensive.

You could rip that 42" piece or you could piece it. If you are wanting to absolutely cut it you need to buy a larger mat and a longer ruler.

I fold and cut on a 18" mat. I use Martelli rotary cutter and non slip ruller for completely accurate strips. That rotary cutter will cut through 12 layers of fabric like butter.

The sad fact is, the more times you have to fold your fabric, or move it, the more likely that your strips will be uneven. I agree with the others, a bigger mat would be your best choice.

I recently needed long strips for binding, so I tore it instead of cutting. Ironing flattened the edges nicely.

I would rip it.

if you get a larger mat, get a good one. not just one that is cheap.
this should help you too http://quilting.about.com/od/rotaryc...ing_strips.htm

Totally agree ... more folds ... more risk for elbows in the cut strips.
And absolutely, a larger mat is something you will never regret.

Another help to get really straight strips is to make sure the fabric is well pressed first. A little starch, best press or sizing is good too. Then cut carefully, holding your ruler straight and steady!

I feel I get more accurate cuts when I fold selvage to selvage and then fold again, salvages to fold for 4 layers. My fabric stays more stable and I'm less likely to have my ruler shift. A sharp blade helps a ton too.

Walmart use sell June Taylor mats, the best mats in my opinion because they are hard surface. Now Fiskars is the brand sold there. Fiskars is a good self healing mat. Olfa is a good brand of mats found in most quilt shop and craft stores. Tuesday Morning stores usually have the Olfa 36" by 24" mats for $9.99. I buy one each time a new shipment comes in before the clueless employee leans them up against the shelf to sell. No use telling them why that is bad. If the store doesn't shelf them right they get a bend, don't buy one if it is displayed with a curve in it. I have mats on every flat table surface in my sewing room.

very good information given

Bigger mat and june tailor shape cut with the slots You can get the small 12"one at joanns. walmart use to carry JT but they stopped. The bigger 18" one you have to order from joanns. You can still get bigger mats from walmart. The small mats are good for small cutting

The key to making sure your cuts are straight, and you don't get that dreaded V, is to make sure your fold is even. Line the fold up on your cutting mat and THEN trim your raw edges square.

I would (and have) invest in a larger cutting mat...it makes such a difference when you don't have to move your fabric during cutting. Every time I have to move fabric I end up with an error of some sort.

i fold holding the selvedges together, then lay it down. then grab it by the folded edge and let it hang. this allows the folded sides to hang straight with each other. ... just my way of tackling the task.

If you fold your fabric, it's very important that your folds are even, and that your ruler is at a 90 degree angle from the fold.

Check every so often to make sure that your strips are still straight.

I prefer to buy 1.25 yards and cut parallel with the selvage for my long strips. I figure the strips should be on-grain in at least one direction.

Also, what QuiltnNan said - when the fabric is folded selvage to selvage - there should be no pull/fold/drape/crease lines - shift the ends until the piece is flat. (I've always had a problem knowing how to describe that - but it is THE MOST IMPORTANT step in folding fabric for cutting.)

Another tip about cutting. If you are cutting two inch strips, re cut every two cuts to straighten the edge, three inch strips, re cut to get a straight edge after every third cut, four inch strips - re straighten every fourth cut and so on. I paid good money to learn this at a very expensive quilt retreat. LOL.

I agree with misskira. I always line up the selvages, if they are straight, the strips will be cut straight. Adjust the selvages to get out any wrinkles which means you might have to re cut the sides.

While a larger mat is desirable, you can cut on a 12x12 by doing this. I do when I travel with my cutting tools. I love my June Tailor shape cutter - a ruler with slots to guide the blade, though you don't need that either if you can cut straighter than I do. Put your mat on a very stable surface, fold the fabric twice very carefully, and start cutting. Shake out the first one to see if it is straight, no V in the center and you're good to go. I've only seen one V and that was recently when I was trying to do some cutting while not feeling well. Good luck. You have what you need if you have the mat, a sharp rotary blade and a ruler over 12".

Thanks for the tip!

I would definitley get a larger cutting mat if at all possible.

This is the only way I get straight strips-every time.

what is "saw cut?"

Watch for a sale on self healing matts at 50% off, try 18 x 24 inch size. Thinking you mat is just too small.

I agree - I bought larger (18") one from amazon.com at great price.

One tip not mentioned yet, but is VERY important is this. When using the rotary cutter and the ruler, even non slip, spider your fingers over the ruler with one finger ON THE BOARD to keep it from slipping. Move this hand up the ruler very carefully,stop the cutter, slowly changing your hand position on the ruler at least 4 times as your cutter reaches your hand position.... even up to the last cut as that is often where the ruler can slip if not held in place. Make this a habit and you will be fine.

Thanks for all the wonderful tips for rotary cutter. Not a beginner but it helps to review every now and then.
Pat

This has been one thing I rarely get right in all the years I have been doing it. No matter how many times I fold and refold and smooth and recut I rarely get it to go straight without a v in the middle. For wide piece, borders for example, I always tear but when I need to cut the 2 or 2.5 strips I spend most of my time refolding and recutting and putting crooked strips in the scrap box. I have 2 18x24 mats, one omnigrid, one olfa and had one of the bigger gray mats(which killed my blades quicker btw) . I guess all of us has one thing that is just a bear to us.

This is the way I cut my strips, I iron each fold.

I;m with the group that says starch your fabric. I find that when I do this I get the best results. Good Luck. But if you can afford a larger mat by ALL means do it!!

Having a rotary cutter that easily cuts through 12 layers of fabric sounds like a dream. Where do you buy Martelli supplies?

My technique isn't the greatest, and perhaps one of the many reasons is that I would buy a roll of pre-cut fabric (which seems to come in 2 1/2" widths) and change the pattern to fit that size. I'm old, and life is just too short to fiddle with details that could be jiggled around.

Lots of good comments in this thread!

I have a 39" mat and fold in half and and in half again. I always got the dreaded "V" in my strips. I found out that if I iron the fold, the cut will be straight. I think this is a very good tip.

I just fold it in half like everyone else

I also use one or two hand clamps to help stabilize the ruler and hold it tight.

Marysewfun

When I have to fold, I use straight pins to hold the selvages together too. It gives a little more stability. Definitely invest in a larger mat and a 24 inch long ruler. I love the Olipfa 6" X 24" ruler to use as my cutting edge because it grips the edge of the cutting mat and gives stability as well.

I use Omnigrid rulers to actually measure though.

Rip it. Then iron the edges flat. The strips will be true.

I fold selvages together, then selvages to fold. I put the end with the selvages facing toward me -- the fold away. I was in a class and the teacher (who is nationally known) said this helps keep the wobbles away. The rest of the things I learned at the class were the all of the great techniques for straightening the fabric -- don't cut a yard of fabric without straightening.

That said -- if I need long strips parallel to the selvages (length wise grains), I always rip it. I don't rip wof (crossgrain) because some fabrics don't tear well crosswise.