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Quote:

Originally Posted by GingerK (Post 7696456)

Maybe it is time for quilt pattern writers to add an explanation for their abbreviations or acronyms just like knitting pattern writers do. Sounds like you are going to be making a bunch of HST's

..some magazines and books do have a page or two of abbreviations and a quick "how to" section. But today, most info/instructions are only a "click away".

It won't ruin your fabric if you made a "length of fabric" cut rather than a "width of fabric" cut. If you did, you can still go back and cut on the width if you want to. You will only get 7 or so squares per strip, but just cut and extra strip (or 2) and you'll get the total number of squares you need. Just count the total you need and make sure you have it. Or, you can cut them all on the length of fabric. It makes no difference, as a square of fabric is a square of fabric and the direction will usually be lost as soon as it's cut.

It could make a difference (probably really small) in the amount of fabric used. For that reason, you might want to get everything cut and counted to make sure you have enough fabric. If you need a small amount more, the sellers are more likely to have it sooner than later.

bkay

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkay (Post 7696481)

This what I think. It doesn't really matter that much how you start, but if you cut it one way, will you have enough to do another step the way they want it cut? Maybe you need to cut some border strips.
And I would also cut them 5 inches square. It is so much easier to square them up later if you have a bit extra, especially if you are a beginner.

Remember to trim the selvedges before you cut the strip. I trim the selvedge, starch, and then press before I cut.

Don't panic! Even if you first cut length of fabric instead of width of fabric you can still sub-cut the strip. A square is a square, after all!