looking for short cut ideas for cutting these blocks
 

Years ago when I first starting quilting, I think I was 16 there were not all the quick ways of cutting out blocks. For example my first quilt was a brick pattern. My grandmother had cut out all the blocks and mailed them to me to make a quilt with them. I did and sew it began.

My next several quilts were cut one 3 inch block at a time and I remember making a cardboard template and drawing around each and every block. Then sewing them together on my sewing machine one block at a time.

Has anyone else started out this way or just me. We have to remember my grandmother was about 78 or 80 at the time and this is the way she learned to cut her blocks.

Moving forward 50+ years I found these table runners and they bring back so many memories. But, I would rather not cut them out one block at a time.

I am asking you nice ladies or men how would you cut the blocks to achive similar results as in these 3 table patch table runners. I love cutting the strips these last two table runners tops sewed up so very quickly.

I tried to post the photos and will need to wait until our daughter comes this evening to help me post these 3 photos. She helped me last week but I have forgotten how I posted the one photo.

When I started quilting in the late 70's I used rulers, pencils (a mechanical pencil), templates, and scissors. I often cut several at a time by pinning the fabric together. One instructor told us to use freezer paper, iron it to the top piece and then pin the layers together. If I remember right, 4 layers was about the max before the lower pieces were distorted. When the rotary cutter came out in the 80's I started doing a lot more. But if it was a curved piece, out came the pencil and paper. We saved the cereal boxes, glued them together to get a thicker template. The back piece of tablet paper worked great too.

another table runner idea
 

Another patch table runner

here is the last one same sort of idea. I do like this one the way it is designed. Would I need to cut this one out one block at at a time?

I'm sure there are several ways, but if I wanted 3" blocks, I would stack my fabric, 3-4 layers, making sure I had a straight edge, I would cut 3" strips. Then I would take each set of strips, and keep cutting the squares at 3". Your length of strips would be determined by how many 3" squares you needed. (or what ever size you need). You would then have squares ready to sew together. Hope I'm making sense.

Annie, this makes very good sense. I appreciate your suggestion very much.

I love short cuts, too. I would cut two 3" strips, sew them together, press open, and THEN cut into 3" segments. Just another options. Have fun!

Just like Julie says. Cut the 3 inch strips and sew them together. Then cut across the strips to get the block sets. I do this with scrappy strips. Much faster than individual squares.

My go to ruler is my June Tailor Shape Cut ruler, the one with the 1/2" slots for 12", I also have the 12"x18" but never use it. There are several designs so if decide to try one, decide which one will suit what you size cut,