Question/survey......
 

When you are cutting out the parts to a quilt, do you cut them all out before starting to sew or do you cut some, sew some, cut some more, etc? I have just cut out the parts to the squares of a new quilt and think I will put the squares together before cutting out the sashings. Does anyone else do that? Just curious.....

I cut and see. I do it in sections. Right now I'm making strps to add to the blocks, and I've cut the pieces and I'm sewing them together. Then once I've cut and sewn all of them I'll cut the borders.

Yep, that's how I do it. Cut all the pieces for the blocks and piece them. Sometimes i decide that i don't want sashing after all, so I usually don't cut the sashing until after the blocks are done. I HATE having to cut more fabric for blocks after I start sewing them. I usually cut enough for one or two extras to allow for errors.

I have yet to cut all pieces. I cut some, sew some and so on. I keep telling myself that I would like to cut all at once
but have not done so yet.

I do mine in stages too! That way if I decide to make a change in the middle of the project, I don't have to completely redo everything.

It depends on the quilt I'm working on I guess. I have an "Omigosh" half done and there were so many pieces in that (thousands) that I cut some then sewed some etc - needed the "break". Also, there was no way I could have kept track of all the pieces if I had cut them all first (even though it was strip pieced). In fact, I had to keep my pieces in a tray and work from the tray.

The one I am quilting now I cut all the strips first, then pieced, then cut the applique pieces all at once.

Some quilts that didn't have a lot of pieces to it I cut all the pieces first, then pieced it.

I don't cut out everything beforehand. First I cut just enough to make several blocks to make sure they come out the way I expected, fabrics go well together and they are the correct size. You never know if you cut the pieces wrong and waste fabric or, what I usually do, change my mind about the block. After all my blocks are made and trimmed I'll cut the sashings and then the borders. I leave the binding for last. If I don't have enough fabric for the binding I can always piece several of the fabrics from the quilt to make the binding, I'd cut each fabric strip 18 to 20 inches.

I usually cut everything except the borders

I cut the blocks first, and then make sure I like the sashings/borders I was going to use..Many times I end up changing how the quilt will be constructed while working..

I've learned to make one to four blocks before going any further.
The first one to see if a) I understood the directions and/or b) the instructions were correct (they are sometimes wrong)

I like to make at least four blocks to see if there might be a potential secondary pattern developing - sometimes it's good - sometimes it's 'interesting'

I frequently go by the 'let's see what happens' method of making tops

I do the same because I almost always change something along the way.

Yep, that's my modus operandi too.....LOL

I do mine in stages , too, just because I get bored with cutting and want to get to the fun part!

I cut enough fabric to make a few blocks and if I like those then I'll cut some more fabric or start with another fabric altogether. Sashings and borders are always left for the very end.

I cut out everything at the beginning because I do not enjoy cutting. I especially dislike cutting the borders. With everything cut out, I can then enjoy the sewing. That method works for me.

Very rarely do I cut everything at once. Even when I know I'm going to make it as planned, I still wait in case there's a problem or change of plans.

When making a scrappy quilt I cut some and then sew some, I'm figuring out color placement as I go. I make a lot of scrappy quilts so I tend to work in this mode even when it's not scrappy.

I cut as I go. Too much stress on the neck c tutting all at once.

I cut enough for one block, then see if I can put it together right. If all goes well, I'll cut for the rest of the blocks. All the extras are cut, after the blocks are done. I have a habit of changing my mind, so found this works best for me. :p

I cut just enough for two blocks at a time if it is a new pattern or technique.

I cut and sew some of the blocks. Then some of the sashings. Then see if I want to change anything. Then cut and sew some more.

It depends if I have a pattern or if I am designing the quilt... if designing ... I have a pencil drawing... but I cut and sew and see how my design is coming together... I usually decide on boards after center of quilt is pieced as I decide on boarder fabrics at that time also.

Judy in Phx, AZ

As a general rule, I cut enough for one block and try it. If it works, I cut one fabric at a time for what I am making. I HATE having everything pre-cut. It overwhelms me. I have one quilt (Orions Star) that has been cut since March. I just can't work on it. Every time I pull the pieces out I get anxious and put them away.

I'm with bearisgray. I cut enough to piece a couple of blocks to see if they're going to go together right and to see if I really like the colors. Then If I like it, I'll cut all the block pieces, then the borders, then the binding. Just a habit I got into when I had trouble with blocks going together correctly. I think it all depends on your comfort zone.

Since I tend to do mostly scrappy quilts, I usually have most of the pieces allready cut. I never cut borders, sashing or binding until I have all or most of the blocks made or until I decide how I'm going to put it together.

I'm usually working on 3 or 4 quilts at the same time.
I cut for a few blocks on one, sew them up and then do the same for a different quilt.

I cut some and then piece some. I never cut the binding or the borders until the top is done. I've been known to change my mind on the sizes of the borders and bindings.

I cut everything first. Since cutting is, by far, my least favorite part of making the quilt, I like to get it out of the way as soon as possible.

I like to cut a few at a time. That way you can make changes as you go. You may want to change the border or change the size of the quilt.

I usually cut everything out and use my design wall to determine whether to use sashing or not. As I make the blocks, I store the rest in zip-lock bags so I don't lose anything while the work is in progress.

It depends. If it is a purchased pattern: 1) Hard to assemble - I cut out of scraps (including old sheetings etc) to test the pattern. 2) Easier to assemble - I cut a few out of the fabric and assemble them to make sure the pattern is true and then I cut out everything and sit and sew everything. I always save borders for last as I sometimes change my mind.

If I created the pattern - I do a test block (out of Christmas fabric - I use the test block to make a potholder and gift it or donate it) and then I cut it all out etc.

If a new to me block pattern I make one to be sure I know how to make it, then I cut and sew in stages, working from the center out.

I also use the "let's see what happens" method

I have to keep moving due to back problems, so I cut a block, sew a block, cut a block, sew a block. It works for me and keeps me doing what I love with a whole lot less pain! :-) Living in a motorhome, I quilt from my recliner with my machine in front of me on a wooden TV tray. Couldn't keep track of more pieces than that because I'm always picking up & putting things away to eat, then getting set up again; takes up whole aisle so foot traffic is a problem, etc.

If I have done the pattern before, I will cut everything - love to have the binding all cut - pressed, etc. ready to go when I am ready. If I have not done the pattern before, I will cut what I consider half and see how the fabric is coming out. If I think I am going to have many scraps, I want them to be big scraps instead of specifically cut pieces. That way I have more choices with the "leftovers".

I always cut the whole quilt out at the beginning. I have quite a few UFOs that are all cut out and ready to be sewn. I like the cutting part a lot, so I guess that's why I, at least, cut everything out before I change my mind and start on something else.

I cut enough for one block and make a sample to be sure it has the look I want. If I'm happy with it I cut the rest of the blocks. This is important to in case the pattern directions have an error. Then I cut sashing when the blocks are done. Then the borders. That way everything fits together well.

I have cut borders first when I want to use the length of the fabric instead of the width, such as directional fabrics. I usually cut a few strips, see how they go together, see how the math is working on material needed. I hate getting near the end and realizing I don't have enough fabric to finish.

Yep... that's my method, too. I learned my lesson the hard way re cutting EVERYTHING out at the first. I mis-read the directions & ended up with a gazillion pieces that were 1/2" too small... yikes!

I don't really have a certain way to go. I usually cut out all the block fabrics and make the blocks; then play around with them and figure out if I want sashing, etc. Depending on the quilt pattern, sometimes I'll go ahead and cut sashing strips when I cut out the block pieces. If I have made the quilt before, I am more likely to cut everything at once. I usually don't cut border strips until the top is made and I can decide how I want it bordered. Not much help, am I? LOL.