I am trying to throw together this crib quilt...and having way more trouble than I imagined.

I've never used this sort of sewing everything into strips and then cutting it technique. Plus, sewing with Flannel in Florida in June is, well...sticky!

Since the strips will end up being cut into smaller pieces to make the 9 patch block, do you all think it would be alright to make them shorter than Selvage to selvage (selvage to selvage on the material I have is very long...and for me, the longer pieces are hard to manage without getting off track.

I'm thinking like 12 inches long, the squares are then supposed to be two inches so I could make 6 strips from each one.

I know this is a really newbie sort of thing, but I am really getting tangled up in the strips and laughing because the pattern said "EASY" on it. I almost would rather cut up 200 little 2 inch squares and sew them together. BUT, I think I should try to learn the strip technique, because if I can master it, I think it would make some things easier...in the future...

Thanks! for any help advice you can offer.

it is fine to cut your strips into manageable sizes- we do it all the time- just pick a measurment which is going to be divisible by the number of sections you are cutting- which you have figured out-
it is always best to have things manageable- you will have much happier time working on and a better outcome of your project :)

Perfectly said.

I do that a lot too as selvage to selvage can be cumbersome. I will usually just add a one inch buffer as I always find when strip piecing like this, my ends never quite line up perfectly, and have the extra material helps me square up the edges when I am done.

Good luck!! remember quilting has no rules, do what works for you.

Cheers!
rachel

Thank you all. I am going to go back and cut some strips, and turn the AC down for the flannel, and hope for the best.

I just kept thinking, what is so easy about this HUGE strip of fabric!

I hope it works out for you!

IMHO it's 100 times easier than sewing 100s of 2" squares together. I love strip piecing and think it is the best thing since sliced bread. When you cut the sewed strips everything is square. There is no way I can sew 2" squares together and not have half of them a little wonky.

Good advice to make an inch longer than what you think to to give a little leeway when you cut them.

Well, I've finally managed to get several of the nine patch blocks put together. Much easier with shorter strips. THanks all! I would post a photo but my camera is not working, and I am not so thrilled as some of the blocks did not line up perfectly....

When ever I do strip cutting I always cut the width of fabric in half before I cut strips. I get straighter cuts by doing this.

first I figure how many strips I need and how wide. This gives me the length of fabric I need. I add about 1 1/2 " and cut across the width selvage to selvage. I then cut this piece in half on the straight of grain then fold each piece and cut the width of strips I need. The extra 1 1/2" is for straightening the fabric. This is a little more work but I get better cuts this way. I hope this is can be followed, HA.
peace :D