How to kill time?
 

I have been wanting to get more "creative" about making quilt tops. I'm not good at it... and I hate cutting!! I don't have money to buy pre-cuts or a die-cutting machine. I thought I would enjoy cutting with scissors, but not really sure how to do that and get accurate pieces. I have, in the past, drawn lines with a ruler, then cut, but there HAS to be a better way! I love deconstructing clothing to use (yeah, I know that's weird), but then I get stacks and piles and bags full of fabric that frustrate me, when I pull out my rotary!

What is a good way to relax and cut 2-inch squares during my lunch hour or while sitting around.. without carrying a load of supplies?! Just me, my fabric, and my scissors?

I use my rotary cutter and ruler - I don't use my scissors unless its cutting out applique - perhaps you could get a small cutting mat and use your rotary cutter - you could make yourself a special tote bag to keep your supplies with you.

My Mother-in-law used a square or pattern of the size she wanted cut from sandpaper. She made dozens of quilts hand pieced perfectly sewn together. Try it, you will like it. And, you will get better as you go.

They make small cutting mats, check in the paper crafting aisle. They also make small rulers. Press a couple pieces of deconstructed clothing (spritz with spray starch), like 2 or 3 shirt fronts. Then roll the fabric loosely. The fabric, rotary cutter, mat and ruler should all fit in a small tote.
If you really want to go with the scissors, a sandpaper pattern is the way to go. Cut the sandpaper with a pair of crummy scissors dedicated to this task or use a box cutter from the $1 store. You will ruin any blade you use to cut this stuff, but the template will not slip at all.
P.S. What is your avatar a picture of? Every time I see it I wonder...

I cannot cut accurate with sissors so I use rotary cutter

My suggestion is to get a June Tailor Shape Cut ruler. It makes cutting strips and blocks sooooo much easier and more accurate. For blocks, just cut the fabric into strips, then cut the strips into squares. Hobby Lobby has it online for $24.99. With a 40% off coupon, that would bring it down to about $15.


http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...ate-qo-880989/

ok, I will try the sandpaper. It just so happens that I have some laying around! Thanks, everyone!

My avatar is my bunny rabbit, Buddy. He was so easy-going, that you could lay him on his back and "pose" him and he would just hold that pose. He just loved people! He'd come running up to you like a tiny dog and lick you and he'd jump around and tease the dogs... He was the best!!

Ashley

I worked in the computer room at a major aerospace company. I brought a small mat and rotary cutter along with fabric. I was sure security would give me a hard time, but I breezed right through. Saturdays were always a slow day doing backups. Hours and hours of sheer boredom with mounting a backup tape every 30 minutes!! So this helped pass the time. Good Luck and start those creative juices flowing.....

Personally I wouldn't even think of cutting fabric for quilts with a pair of scissors, usually it's my June Tailor Shape Cut ruler and rotary cutter.

when I make drunkard's path block, I trace and cut with scissors with no problems. But have you thought of doing applique??

I only use siccors for quiiting applique, other wise it is a rotary cutter or may studio cutter.

How about using tracing paper and wheel to outline a grid on your fabric - then just cut on the dotted lines.

How a out trying English paper piecing hexagons for a project. They are small and done by hand. And the accuracy of the cutting doesn't matter so much as the fabric is wrapped around to the back of the paper.

I take shirts and jeans apart to make quilts and other smaller projects and it does take longer to cut than yardage. I use the shape cut and a rotary cutter and you could use a small mat to be able to haul to work. I then throw the odd leftover pieces into a scrap bag for applique pieces. I think a sandpaper template is also a great idea and would be something easier to haul to work.

I depend on books on tape to cut down on the boredom factor. I really enjoy the look of tiny pieces -- I have thousands of 1.5 inch squares --but it takes a looong time to make something that I consider to be a useable size. All of my "quilting clothes" have a pocket for my iPod. Try audible.com and take a look at the titles and see if their "try one free" offer is still going.

I don't like cutting either (painful from old injuries) but since I cannot quilt unless I do, I try to cut every day for 20 to 30 minutes. I can usually tolerate that much boredom with the carrot of being able to piece dangling before me.

If you are transporting your rotary cutter consider a small plastic tool box for the job. No accidents that way. I have an inexpensive plastic pencil box made for kids that mine lives in. A small caboodle type box would hold your fabric also. I would spend one lunch cutting strips, then another sub cutting squares just to keep it from getting boring. A small mat and ruler is all you need. If you have trouble cutting accurately, I will give you the tip that made my cutting much better. *Cut less layers, and slow down. Fast is not the goal, fun is.

or hexies. fun to make. get a 28mm rotary cutter

I once watched a woman trace with pencil around templates and then cut approx. 1/4" away from the drawn line. Then she would stitch along the line. It seems like that would be pretty accurate. She was hand piecing, but it should work as well with machine sewing I would think. Good luck.

When I started making quilts I had to use scissors. There were no rotary cutter, mats and certainly no die cutters. When the rotary cutters and mats came out I bought several rulers and I have never turned back. I am so thankful I don't have to cut with scissors. Rotary cutters used with rulers are so much more accurate. I never found it relaxing. Making a quilt took so much longer than now.

Have you thought of doing some redwork embroidery? It so fun to do and you could embroider at work without having to pack too much.

I just purchased an 18mm rotary cutter that slips on your finger. and there are small cutting mats available tat would fit in your pocketbook. Just look around, you'll see lots of ideas