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Do you have your fabric on a cutting mat? That will help too.

Going to even JoAnn's and have them show you how to do it correctly.

The best tape to put on the back of a ruler to keep it from slipping is athletic tape, the opaque stuff.

I've been trying for 30 years to make an accurate square, triangle, block...you name it. I've finally have accepted that I probably will never have a perfect patch. For me, close enough works just fine.

Buy a Go die cut machine. It's as important to me as my sewing machine. No math, no rulers, no rotary cutter, no miss cuts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearisgray (Post 7550914)

I would use a pencil and just mark the 5-1/4 inch square in a corner and cut around it.

Then either scissor cut it out, or rotary cut on the lines.

This is what I was gonna suggest also. But like Dunster said, if it needs to finish at 5" square, it should be cut at 5-1/2" instead of 5-1/4" sq.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dray965 (Post 7550216)

I feel so dumb by asking this, but here goes. Is there an easy way to cut a 5-1/4" square? I don't have a special ruler, just a regular ruler one would use with a rotary cutter and I've already messed it up. :( I measured and cut but My cutter went wonky on me and I've already messed up the 1st square.

I've got several more to go and since I'm working from a kit, I'm not sure I'll have enough material to make mistakes. :)

After that one went south on me I quit and came straight to you girls. I'm sure some of you can advise me on how to measure and then cut just one. I know how to cut strip and THEN cut squares, but I have never had to cut just ONE 5 1/4" square from several of my fabrics. Yikes!

Help!

I'm having the same problem. I have a quilt pattern I want to start with but I need the background to be cut into 10" squares and I mess up every single time. My wrist isn't strong enough to cut accurately at all anymore so I'm wondering if Accuquilt makes a 10 inch die? Anyone know?

The GO Big has a ten inch square die. GO Big is the electric one.

To get a 5" finished square, one MUST cut it to 5.5. Otherwise you will end up with 4.75 finished.

You don't need a special ruler. There may be a problem if you are measuring in from the cut edge - it very probably is not straight. Start by measuring up from the selvage (be sure to take into account the selvage size)in a few spots. Until you feel comfortable, mark this measurement rather than cut it. Then using the ruler along the selvage edge (which should be straight) mark a line up to the 5 1/4" plus selvage mark. Now using the selvage, mark a spot 5 1/4" along the selvage . Now mark up (again using the ruler for the right angle) up a 5 1/4" plus selvage. Now connect the lines. Step back, take a breath and now remeasure your square. It should be 5 1/4". Now your confidence is back and go get that rotary cutter!!!!! (I might try this on some other fabric until you feel good about it.)

I I have to use June Taylor cutting system because I have same issues. Good luck