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,

Pocoellie, the ruler sounds interesting. I have never seen nor heard of it before.

Rhonda, this might be a great way also, sewing two strips together and cutting them into the blocks.

My daughter will pick out the fabrics this week and we can look at the placements we would like on the table runner. I think I may need to pick up another piece or two of fabric.

I have become quite lazy when it comes to cutting since I got my Accuquilt. Though there are still times where I need to cut using a rotary cutter. IMHO the rotary cutter was the best invention ever for quilting since you could cut multiple strips sew them together and cross cut pieces for 4- patches or 9- patches. Now that I have been using the Accuquilt it is so fast at cutting. I don't recommend this system for a new quilter however. Learn the basics first.

If I want a certain amount of 3" or 2 1/2" squares I just cut strips in that dimension and then subcut to whatever size I want. You are getting a lot of ideas here on this forum so good luck to you and I think everyone has their own way of doing things too. I remember my grandmother would cut cardboard templates out of cereal boxes and draw around them and I would help her cut all the pieces out with scissors. Quilting has come a long way and wouldn't our grandmothers love the rotary cutter.

I did check out the ruler thanks for the information.

Loralee, you're welcome.

Really cute runners!!

In this first photo, it kind of looks like all the lights are the same, so I would be tempted in cut all my darks and one light into strips (lets say 3" wide for an example) and sew one dark and a light tog. Press the seams (I generally press to t he dark) then cut the sewn strip into 3" pieces If you want a variation in the combinations, I would cut the lights into long strips and cut my darks into strips that are a multiple of 3" in length (ie 6,9.12,15 plus a smidge for squaring up) and just strip piece them tog.

The second runner looks like a trip around the world. I would cut long strips , sew then tog in the correct order and then sew the first strip to the last (you will now have a circle) cut your strips then "unpick" between the top block and the bottom block. This blog has some pics that might help

https://sewcreatelive.blogspot.com/2...und-world.html

Cute runners - you have given me some ideas for next years Christmas gifts!!

I appreciate your taking the time to tell me about the June Tailor Shape ruler.

Strip piecing is the way to go. The June Tailor ruler is great and the Stripology one even better- wouldn’t be without.

QuiltCut also makes a ruler with guides for cutting strips in various widths, and I've been very happy with it. When researching my options, I found it interesting that there were a number of comments in the reviews about the QuiltCut having aspects that made people prefer it over other brands - one was that the slots were a bit longer than another brand.

That said, you don't need one of these fancier rulers to cut strips, squares and rectangles quickly with a rotary cutter. The basics are simply a mat, a rotary cutter and a clear ruler with a good lines. A 6" x 24" ruler will let you do a wide variety of cutting. If you do a google search for rotary cutting videos, you can find lots of videos that will show you how it all works and give you some good tips. Important safety tip: *always* retract the cutting blade when you aren't holding the cutter and make sure your other hand is well/safely placed before you start cutting.