Okay I'm attempting my first quilt. Any tricks of the trade involved with cutting my fabric squares? I'm doing 4 1/4 " squares. I have a rotary cutter, a cutting board and a square ruler.

I mean it seems pretty simple, but I figured I might get some time saving tips or some reminders from all you pros.

Welcome from NE CA. To save time, I would buy a 5" or wider ruler, or a June Taylor square. I can't think of what the correct name for it is, but it makes a 12" square, has slots in it, 1/2" apart. I have 2 of them, love them, others don't like them, it's up to you.

Read some of Kaye Woods books, and the simplest solution, although I'm not good at it for some reason, is strips. Sew strips together and then cut them... :)

You probably know this, but cut your fabrics into 41/4 in strips then subcut into the 4 1/4 squares. You can cut several layers at a time, but I wouldn't until you were comfortable with using the rotary cutter. You don't want to accidentally cut a whole bunch of fabrics the wrong size!!
Are you using yardage or fat quarters?

Actually, I miss typed, I'm doing 4 1/2" squares. And I have no idea what you mean by yardage or fat quarters. I'm so novice at this! :roll:

You have all the right tools! One tip I found helpful is to include the "tick mark" in the cut. So if you're cutting 4-1/2" blocks, include the line for the 4-1/2" measurement. Also, work on those 1/4" seams. A quarter inch foot for your machine will make it a cinch. And square up anything that looks wonky.

for repeated cuts of the same size, a bit of tape or non-permanent marker on the ruler makes lining up a little faster.

a fat quarter is 18x21. There's all kinds of names such as jelly rolls, they're 2 1/2" strips, and various other "funny" names. Hang around here and you'll soon know them all. You can also buy just a 1/4 yard of fabric or even 1/8 yard. You can even buy usually dresses at thrift stores or yard sales to cut up. I've been known to do this, even though I have plenty of fabric. Especially good for crazy quilts. My 2 cents worth.

Be accurate in your cutting and again in your sewing and you will do fine. Be sure to sew exactly 1/4 inch on all of them. Also, if you have already sewn clothes you don't need to backstitch when quilting. You put one set of blocks in and sew then run the next set right behind it without a break.

Welcome and if you have more questions there are lots here that will help you.

Welcome from the Ozarks. There is so much help on this forum, you will love it. My 2 cents is to start a small project, don't go for the big quilts, do a crib quilt, lap throw or something that will be easy and quick. You don't want to get bogged down and not finish (that's an "F" word here). Enjoy yourself. :D

I was wondering about the 4 1/4 inch blocks.

There's no law that says you have to cut multiple layers of fabric, either.

There is a lot of flexibility -

If the blade of your rotary cutter doesn't automatically retract when you put it down, be SURE to do so. Those blades are sharp and blood is so annoying to try to remove from fabric. Also, the cuts tend to bleed profusely.

I strongly recommend prewashing ALL of your fabrics before cutting.
And if you use warm and natural batting, wash and dry that before using, also.

There are others that feel as strongly that you are good to go with the materials straight from the store.

Quilters Rule (I think) did have a 4 1/2 inch wide ruler that was about 14 inches long.

It's the ruler brand with the ridges on the bottom.

Olfa also has a 4 1/2 inch square template if you are cutting squares from scraps.

Personally, I like to cut strips 4 1/2 inches across the grain of the fabric (selvege to selvege [sp?]). If you're a beginner, sew two strips together. Later you can tackle more. Press the seams toward the dark. Then cut those sewn strips in 4 1/2 inch cuts. That will give you 2-block pieces. I love the June Tailor Short Cuts. It's a clear vinyl square that has slits at 1/2 inch increments. Just be sure to mark off with tape or something on the slits you will be using to cut. That way you won't be wasting fabric by making the wrong cuts. You can use this same technique with any size strip you wish to cut. Just cut the sewn strips the same width that you cut the original strips. I love the book THE IT'S OKAY IF YOU SIT ON MY QUILT BOOK by Mary Ellen Hopkins.

Oh that's very helpful. I have not sewn clothes before. When I was small, I hand stitched quilting blocks with my great aunt. But until last week I'd never touched a sewing machine. I've self taught myself everything so far. In reading about using the machine I learned about back stitching and just assumed I had to do while quilting.

In practicing my 1/4 " seams on some square blocks, I thought it was annoying to back stitch! LOL :mrgreen:

Thank you all so much for the helpful tips. I am starting with a simple baby quilt. Hopefully I won't get too bogged down.

Good girl, practice is the key. And don't be afraid to make a mistake. Your mistakes will teach you. A trick I used to help students make the right size seam (if you don't have a quarter-inch presser foot): take a little post-it pad and split it in thirds. That is about the right thickness. Measure 1/4 inch from the needle (put the needle down and put the ruler or tape measure against the needle). Place the post-it pad on the 1/4 inch mark. Press it down as hard as you can. That will give you a good guide. Keep your eye on the edge of the fabric hitting the pad...not the needle. If/When the pad wiggles itself loose, just remove the last sheet and stick it down again. I taught beginner's sewing (garments) and they found this very helpful. I still use it for some things. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

one easy thing regarding 1/4" seame, invest in a 1/4" foot for your sewing machine if you don't have one already. They are made two different ways - both are perfectly accurate it just depends on which machine you have. Here are two pictures PURELY of examples of the two different feet - you will need to purchase the 1/4" foot specifically for your machine.

Sorry about hte double post - not quite sure what happened!

one easy thing regarding 1/4" seame, invest in a 1/4" foot for your sewing machine if you don't have one already. They are made two different ways - both are perfectly accurate it just depends on which machine you have. Here are two pictures PURELY of examples of the two different feet - you will need to purchase the 1/4" foot specifically for your machine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Janome-Kenmore-H...QQcmdZViewItem

I can't find a picture of the 1/4" foot without the black guide, but they are around - I have one for my janome. Good luck!

the library is also a great place to start when it comes to books on quilting... welcome aboard the best board...

1/4 inch seams are a snap.

Take your new ruler there.. put it under the needle. Slowly lower the needle down so it hits the 1/4inch mark from the right edge of the ruler. swing the ruler around so it is parallel to the presser foot. put the presser foot down to hold the ruler in place. Take three or four strips of masking tape and tape alongside the ruler, one piece on top of the the other. You now have a mark for 1/4 inch from the needle. At this point, raise the presser foot, back off the needle, pull the ruler out. You now have an edge to run your fabric against, exactly 1/4 inch from the needle. Don't remove the tape until the top is finished.

we were (are?) beginners once. And terrified.

Good luck,

tim in san jose

Hey Tim, my dad used to say that there are many ways to skin a cat. I'm going to try that technique the next time I'm at the machine. I use the post-it pad "method." I have a quarter- inch foot, but it's good to have tricks in my hat to help others who don't. Thanks. :lol:

Someone mentioned books at the library, they are great cause they are free! A book that is great for beginners that i go to over and over again is the Fons and Porter complete guide to quilting. I picked mine up years ago at Jo Anns with a 40% off coupon.

The best advice I can give is to read up or ask here on the Board anytime you have a question.

There are always short cuts, but I would tend to wait to do them until I had a little practice under my belt if I were you. The first quilt is always the hardest since you're unsure of yourself.

Just remember to relax and enjoy the experience of your first quilt. There are no Quilting Police that will come and take you away if you make a "mistake" here and there. There are no "mistakes". You really meant to make it look like that :D

Another way to "locate" where the 1/4 inch seams should be sewn:

I took 1/4 inch graph paper - put it under the presser foot - put the needle through one of the lines - and then looked to see where the edge of the presser foot came in relation to the needle and a quarter line mark on the paper.

I have an older Pfaff and I could move the needle left or right in small increments so I was able to use the edge of my regular presser foot as a guide.

Or in my case, I put the edge of the presser foot on a 1/4 inch line and fiddled with the needle setting until it was "correct"

Good for you! Welcome from Illinois!

I laughed when someone above said that there are so such thing as mistakes. I am still a newbie, I started quilting a little over 16 months ago. I made a quilt for my daughter, who incidently is 17 months old. I made the quilt from 6 inch fabric squares that my family, extended and inlaws included, gave me for the quilt. Some squares were from my baby's great great grandmother! Anyhow, I finished the quilt and none of the rows matched up. Not one. It was BAD, but I was still pretty proud. Mismatched, yes, but regardless it was my first effort. I brought it in recently to get quilted, and the lady I hired TOOK apart the quilt and redid it! I was crushed. (it was like taking apart a child's noodle project and straightening the noodles. ) I guess I learned a valueable lesson: practice on something that doesn't have sentimental value! The quilt is now beautiful, but it isn't MY quilt any longer! I guess we all have to start somewhere. Good luck and have fun.

SORRY for the double post!

I'm glad you posted this - because there have been times when I've been tempted to "fix" someone else's effort. I'm learning to compliment what I can - maybe the color, the idea, whatever - and keep my mouth shut about the rest. Although if I was the quilter, I am pretty sure I would have asked permission before messing with it - or I would have sent it back and not touched it if it bothered me too much to work on it the way it was.

How sad that someone messed with your work.

I agree with bearisgray and QuiltinLee about finding that quarter inch. I like the graph paper trick. Will certainly use it. Thanks. You people are just TOO smart. :lol:

To blueribbontoes, I think the lesson that I would have learned from this episode would have been NEVER to use that quilter again. She really assumed a lot by doing that. She definitely should have asked you first.

Gee you got some great advice from everyone....best thing is jump in get your feet wet....we all learn from our mistakes and practice....practice....practice ....but have Fun....

That quilter should have asked permisson before she undid one stitch or as stated, give it back and not work on it. Oh boy, did I ever get my feet wet this morning :!: They are now soggy :roll: Tried meandering, from a distance it's ok but I need lots of practice, practice, practice. And need to breathe :D

Hi all, i'm from West Virgina i would love to have some help with making a set of quilting frames my hubby made me a set many years ago but i must have left them when we moved i like to have the woodens kind they have 4 horese one on each end i know this talk may sound funny to you all be i'm very country and i just love the look of country fid.I guess you say i'm from the old school i just love to sew i'm making some throws for the house and also some for Christmas gifts any help would greatly appericated God Bless :)

I would check at farm auctions. Those kind sell for a whole lot less than it would cost you to make new ones and they would have a whole lot more charactar. I have my great grandmothers old frame so I know what you are talking about.

Thanks Mary,my friend said she may have one of those horses so hubby could get a patern from i sure hope so my last set only cost like twenty five dollars to make he use furring strips for the long sides and it work very good can you believe i don't even have a picture of the other ones or he could have use it to go by you lose a lot of things when moving but thanks sweetie God Bless

I showed the quilt to many people before getting it done, and it really wasn't THAT bad. My rows just didn't line up perfectly. I know perfectionists would of gone batty! Its funny though, because as I keep quilting I find that I take things apart a million times to get it perfect. I ddin't mind the mistakes so much in my first, because it was my first quilt for my first baby. I am a sentemental type of gal, though. :D

I guess what made me frustrated because she didn't ask. One man's trash is another's treasure...

Be patient with us newbies! We're learning! Ha!

(Sorry for hijacking the thread.)

To ensure a good cut, you must square the fabric first. After you have folded your fabric in half, take your long ruler, line it up top and bottom then cut. This ensures you have a straight edge to begin cutting. Always remember that no fabric, regardless of brand name/manufacturer is straight/square off the bolt. You have to square it for perfect cutting.

Hope this helps. GiGi

P.S. Remember, everyone was a beginner. We all made and continue to make mistakes. It's part of quilting. Good Luck. :D :D

BRT, another thing that you will learn through experience is how to MAKE things fit. When the blocks are not quite the same size, they is a certain degree of it that can be either stretched or eased into place. Then the steam iron can take care of the rest. Of course, it it's a great deal off, that may be another story. I match seams, then if one piece is a little bigger than the other, I put the bigger one on the bottom, close to the feed dogs. That does the trick most of the time. Then, too, the walking foot helps for that too. Just stick with it. :lol:

BRT---That is so sad. I would have been so tempted to refuse to pay the entire amount for ruining a keepsake. Sure hope you never went back to her.