Be sure to set the ruler on edge and squat down and make sure you don't see air between the ruler and the table. One of mine was giving me fits and I discovered it had a "whoo-hoo" in it (my husband's term for when wood has a curve). That will make a difference...also, your sewing makes an even bigger difference. Make sure ALL your seams, on both sides are 1/4".

also - this may have been mentioned.....double check the measurements on the ruler with another ruler. My old HUGE cutting board (one of the originals) is off by 1/8" on one end...!!! Don't ask me how many years it took me to figure that one out!!!

I hate cutting with rotary blade when it is a longer piece. I have a ruler I bought at Wal Mart for $30. You can not always find it there and the quilt shops say they won't sell it because there is no profit BUT! if you have trouble with wobbly/wonka cutting this ruler is great. The blade is ATTACHED to the ruler! You can't cut "off". It's also a 24 inch ruler so yeah! Large pieces! It's made by Fisker's. I would not trade it for the world!
See if you can find one because I got it when I was a new quilter because the rotary really scared me and with this WOW! I have been quilting about 10 years and still go to it first.
Also check your quarter inch on your foot for sewing. If you are squaring your blocks it's probably that!

Are you using the ruler to measure your fabric or the cutting mat. I found that if I use the ruler measurement it is more accurate. Ask me how I know that :?

Someone sent me this in an email a few years ago when I was having problems with different size swap blocks. It should help you with your cut shapes, it sure helped me.
I now just use strips of the paper.

OK, I've read everyone's responses and one thing I haven't seen anyone mention. Do you "square up" your blocks before you sew them together. If you are making HSTs I'd try making them a bit larger than what is called for. Sew them together and press. Then square them up (trim them) to the exact size you need. Then they should all be the same size before you try to put them together. Good Luck!

Any block that has a point is tricky to square up so the point isn't lost. Once you master keeping the points sharp the rest is gravy.

You can find that "roto ruler" at Nancy's Notions. I have one too. Bought it years ago and have used it for many projects that weren't quilting (I have a posterboard dedicated blade for my kid projects. I love precise cuts.) It uses the normal Fiskar 45 mm replacement blades. LOVE IT. It is the go to cutter for long straight cuts at my house.

Glad we could help you. Don't be afraid to cut more than one layer at a time. When you get really good, you will lay 2 fabrics together, fact-to-face, and cut so you don't have to move them at all before sewing the seams. Talk about a more accurate method!
:wink:

I've been doing this a long time. Just recently discovered I've got about 8 or 10 45mm rotary cutters. :shock: Who knew? :shock: And I used to teach beginning quilting, so I would always try to work with my beginners and teach them how to use the rotary cutter so they didn't have to be afraid of it. Is it sharp? Yes. Will it cut you? You bet. Do you have to use it? No. But if you want clean, accurate cuts, it was the best method we had for a lot of years.

It's all a matter of getting familiar and comfortable with your equipment. You'll get this! I know you can do it. And WE want you to be successful, too.

Odessa

Odessa, I wish you could be here to instruct when I decide to try rotary cutting! I bought and tried one years ago when they first came out and it was a disaster!! Haven't used it since!! I need to learn to use one, cutting with scissors is really hard now.

Always, always, always!!! Measure TWICE, cut ONCE. I have been positive I'm right, and been 1/8 or 1/4 off, and that ruins it!!