Precision cutting question
 

Greetings! I noticed that the lines on my creative grids rulers (and most rulers) are about 1/16". So here is my dilemma: when you cut shapes for piecing, which side of the ruler line do you use? Or do you attempt to center the ruler line on the edge of the fabric? I know this seems trivial, but now that I'm cutting 60 degree diamonds, it makes a big difference! I end up tossing about 30% of the diamonds that I'm cutting because they are just ever so slightly wonky. I know from experience that if the original shapes aren't perfect, when I sew the blocks they can end up being way off.

I always get the line on the fabric. I have found that often you can overcut a bit, sew and then trim to exact. I've found that I can mess with the seaming to get less than perfect cuts to come out. I use a "sticker" on my machine that helps me to sew straight even if the cut edge is not. I think it's a Sew Steady product. But I've also been sewing for 55 years, and only starting quilt making less than 10 years ago.

Being able to ease in fabric, and not needing the cutting to be prefect is one of the things I love about sewing. I also do a lot of woodworking, and cutting has to be exact with that.

I put the whole width of the line on the fabric. It does make a difference.

I too put the entire line on the fabric as well as starch and press.

I use CG rulers and I also put the entire line over the fabric. I suppose my 1/4” seam is a bit thicker than 1/4”.

I just usually cut all of my fabric using the same position of the line for all the cutting. That way it all goes together the way it should.

Get the line of the ruler onto the fabric. If the fabric is cut just to the line, it can be short.

Starching and pressing the fabrics will help with cutting accuracy too.

This is why I like to have the exact size ruler for the size I want cut. I don't have to think about lines. And now I have the Accuquilt dies.