Quiltingboard Forums - How to subcut?

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)

- Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)

- - How to subcut? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/how-subcut-t283660.html)

I have a pattern that states to cut ar 4-7/8" x WOF (yield 8 per strip) then states to subcut at 4-7/8" x 4-7/8". Reading this so confusing, now my question is with my first cut I put my selvages together and cut my fabric horizontally or vertically? Because if it's supposed to be horizontally I already made a mistake and not sure how to fix it since it was a costly one, which I'm hoping I didn't. Also what does the information in parentheses mean? TIA to all.

If you cut one strip 4-7/8" wide along the WOF your strip will be about 40 or 42 inches long once you remove the selvedge. Take that strip, and cut across it very 4 7/8" which will give you 8 4-7/8" squares per strip.

WOF = width of fabric, in other words, cut selvedge to selvedge. Then as the previous poster states, when you subcut this into squares it will yield 8 squares per strip.

WOF means width of fabric, which runs with the cut edge. Length of fabric, LOF, runs with the selvage. Put your selvages together, and lay your fabric with fold on left and selvage on right. Cut bottom to even edges, then cut 4 7/8" up from that edge for your strips.

Thank you for the clarification ladies :D. And so glad that I made the first cut correctly. :)

if a newbie, maybe cut 5" then subcut 5"
test to see how final block ends up

I usually make my first cut Length of Fabric - so - if you have enough fabric and the design of the fabric is cooperative- it usually does not matter which way the first cut is made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adnil458 (Post 7696225)

if a newbie, maybe cut 5" then subcut 5"
test to see how final block ends up

Good advice!

I would do the 5" WOF cut as well as 5" subcuts as well. I'm going to assume at some point these are going to turn into HST's (half square triangles) and it will be easier to trim down to final size and have them accurate...in my opinion.

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

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!