Any tips?
I'm trying to cut 4 1/2 " squares from a tight repeat.
I do not have a handy 4 1/2 " piece of acrylic! Thanks so much

I cut a 4.5 inch square from template plastic

then I put 1/4 inch masking tape around the edges to "frame" the cutout

(or you could just mark a "seam line" on the template

cut your first piece

if you are OCD - you can cut your first square - then lay the cut square on the next "cutting site" - line up the pattern - and cut them one by one -

This is one place/time where I do think starching/sizing before cutting is worth the effort.

Where do I get template plastic? My LQS? Thanks

OK, this is definitely not as easy as having the perfect template but it will work.

Take any square, relative clear template that is larger than 4.5" and mark off two sides of the square with tape. I often use Scotch tape that I place so that the middle of the tape is about where the exact measurement should be and then mark the tape with the exact measurement with a bright colored Sharpie pen marker.

To cut, pick your fussy spot, cut the two sides that the square template defines, rotate/move the template and line up your tape marks with the cuts, and cut the final two sides.

The problem with this method is that since you have to move the template, the final patch is more to prone to error.

When completely done cutting all of your squares, remove the tape and your template is good as new.

I use a clear acrylic square, take a marker and outline (on the acrylic) the pattern (or select areas of)
then I can place it in the exact position on next piece.

I'd suggest cutting out a 4 1/2" square opening in a piece of thin, but stiff, cardboard. Use the opening to mark a square on the fabric and then cut. Once the first one is marked/cut, use the corners of it to exactly locate/mark the corners of each additional square. Be careful to not enlarge the opening of your template while marking the fabric. (You might have to make several identical cut-out templates if you're marking a lot of squares...) I used this method to fussy cut a circle for the center of a Wagon Wheel block and it worked really well. I could see exactly what the piece looked like before I marked it and cut it. Good luck with your quilt!

yes, I've done this in a pinch with good results.

Thanks everyone.

I had my sweetie make a "window" template for me out of heavy cardboard. I included the seam allowance, and then traced around the inside of the window. It works extremely well! :wink:

I had my sweetie make a "window" template for me out of heavy cardboard. I included the seam allowance, and then traced around the inside of the window. It works extremely well! :wink: