I know you are supposed to take off 2-3 inches off each edge, but could you explain why-what will happen if you don't, and can you use the edges to make something else? I want to make a birthday quilt, which I saw on this board (great idea!) and want to use the edges as the cake layers. Is that going to give me a quilt that i can give away, and be happy with?

Who says you have to cut off 2-3inches?
That's a lot of fabric to be wasting. ;-)

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-101584-1.htm

http://selvageblog.blogspot.com/

I don't know why you would waste that much fabric unless you were going to use the selvages to make something from all selvages, to use your fabric you only need to remove about 1/2".

But I think it's a BRILLIANT idea to use them as the cake layers. BRILLIANT!

Typically, as you'll see in those links I gave you, folks cut from 1" to 1.5" off because they're collecting.

Now, I don't collect, and never specifically cut my selvedges. They get chopped off in the cutting of pieces for blocks. The only time I do it deliberately is if I'm sewing together large WOW pieces for backing (and even then I trim after the sewing).

Please post some pictures of your cakes when you're finished.

I cut off as little as possible when cutting selvages. The part that does not have the color/print is usually about 1/2"

I only take off the selvage, .5". Now if I was recycling the selvage then I would cut 2"-3". But I have enough 'scrap' piles, so I have to draw the line.

Same here.

wow- thanks for the info-i am wasting WAY too much--i thought it had something to do with the sizing in making fabric- i learned something VALUABLE today

Recent projects

dotcomtcm: wow! love the easter basket