Strip Cutting Issues
 

Good afternoon! I have the Fiskars Rotary and Ruler combo. I used to love it, but lately, I'm finding my strips are not accurate when I cut. The fabric seems to "bow" when it gets toward the center of the ruler. I've had the ruler for a few years and it just started happening. After my fabric is squared, I'll line it up, and make the first cut. Then when I check the strip measurement I notice that it's a little short on the lower and upper half of the strip. In addition, my fabric needs to be squared again. I've replaced the blade too. If anyone has this ruler, do you experience this or what might cause this, or do I just need a new ruler? I appreciate any help:o

Have you tried lining up a metal ruler or similar along the edge of the ruler that is giving you problems? It might show that it is no longer perfectly straight. I've also had problems when I didn't realize my rotary blade was wobbling while rolling because the blade wasn't secured tightly.

I hope you solve your issue - it is very frustrating to cut and then have to recut - such a waste of time & fabric. Good luck!

Your ruler may have been used so much that it now has a curve in it. The only "fix" I know for that is to replace the ruler.

Use Notwendy's suggestion to stand the ruler on edge - If the ends are touching the table and the middle is not - that would explain the curves.

Try sliding a a thick piece of paper under the middle of the ruler - my favorite ruler was worn down a folded index card thickness in the center - on both sides (sob!) .

The wear is not easily noticed by just looking at the ruler.

I noticed that when I cut on one of those common white folding tables, that I had the bowing - turns out they aren't that stable for cutting, at least mine aren't. I put a thick solid board (which was a cabinet piece from the IKEA as is section, so cheap) under the mat and my blades last longer and I get better cuts.

Make sure your fabric is folded square and you're cutting exactly perpendicular to the fold. This means you'll need a square ruler. Use a horizontal line to make sure your ruler is lined up on the fold, then use a vertical line to cut.

Thank you all for the advice! I just laid it on a level table, and wouldn't you know it, there's a small bow in just the place where I see the issue in my fabric. I didn't know that could happen over time! These rulers are great, and I'm going to get another soon. It's good to know though:)

That's very interesting information. I would never have guessed a ruler would wear like that.

I'm glad you found the problem. I've had rulers wear out too.

When I cut strips I put my finger on the line before
the line I am going to use.

If I cut on the 7-1/2" line I put my hand or fingers on the 7" line.

I was going to mention your Mat but I am glad you found what was wrong.

When I use my mat on my kitchen peninsula & stand on the long side, I have cutting issues. Discovered it works better if I stand on the short side so I believe there is a slight dip in the countertop.

Invest in a Stripology ruler and be sure that your fabric is folded carefully.

I also love the stripology ruler--very accurate.

My first thought was the surface the mat is on, must be firm like you did using solid wood.

I had a ruler I loved and always used but noticed that the corner was slightly chipped off with so much wear and tear on it. I just had to go buy another one and it made a big difference in getting straight cuts. I also find that if I cut shorter strips it helps keep them straight

I have had this problem also and then started using the other side of the ruler(until I get a new one) Also I found that if I folded the fabric more that twice, I would get that "bow". When you buy fabric, it does not come of the bolt in true grain, that could also cause the problem. To get the true grain, cut on the original fold, about 1/2 inch and rip. Then trim the raw edge. Bearisgray has some great advice. I am going to buy a new ruler.

I have replaced rulers because they wear out but never thought of checking for a bowing issue. I get rid of them when they have nicks in them or the lines wear off but never thought that some issues would be caused by bowing. Now I go and check all my rullers. Including my new ones.

I just did the ruler test and discovered that I could easily get a layer of fabric under a couple of spots. I moved the ruler to another spot on the cutting table with the same result. I then moved it to my sewing table and I was not able to slide the fabric under it. So I have concluded that my ruler is fine but my cutting table isn't. Do you think that will be an issue when I use my cutting on the table?

i mentioned this a few posts up. It definitely affected cutting accurately for me. Plus I kept changing blades because I thought that was the problem. Now I use a better cutting surface and things are more accurate and blades last
longer.

As often happens - there may be several different causes of a problem - or several causes all contributing to the same problem.

I have also had issues with cutting on one of those folding tables where there is some "give".

I would also consider the surface you are using under your cutting mat. Some surfaces have a little "give" (like an ironing board) while others really don't (an island or countertop).

All this information is so helpful! I have a self healing Olfa mat that is not beat up, no nicks or gouges. So, I've another question related.....how can the mat affect the cut? Mine seems to be in good shape, but to be honest, I never considered that as a possibility. I'm relatively new to quilting, just two years or so. So while I've learned tons from threads, videos, and trial and error, I still have so much to learn! I've seen the stripology rulers, and I'm intrigued....are they really that accurate? I would think all those slits in the ruler would make them more likely to shift when cutting.

yep the cutting surface matters.....folding tables, plastic taps, ironing boards can develope "bows" in them over time....I finally ended up ordering an ironing board online which was expensive because the ones they had around here developed sagging parts in the surfaces and I was getting baggy yardage when I ironed it.....same with cutting strips on my cheap folding table....I now like to cut strips on my sewing cabinet which is wood or on my wooden heavy folding table...doesn much better so it isn't just ruler that can be causing problems....

Some advice for "preserving" your mat... unless I am using the grid lines for measuring use a ruler for measuring and cut in any direction on the mat! This will avoid a lot of problems with ruts as will using a small mat piece (cut from an old big one) for trimming such things as HSTs.

Also if you are just cutting a straight line use the "back" edge of the ruler, it saves a lot of wear and tear, too.

You need to line up the folded edges on the ruler and make a straight cut. After cutting a few strips, re-aline your ruler and straighten out the cut before you cut more. You will have much better results

In addition to making sure your rulers are still square and your cutting surface is not bowed (note: A folding card table is never a good cutting surface but I've seen them used often), consider ergonomics.

I find I cut long (width of fabric) cuts best standing up at my dining room table, smaller and trims I can do fine sitting, but I have a long torso and relatively short arms and skew long cuts while sitting. A taller friend of mine found standing at her kitchen counters made a huge improvement in her cutting accuracy.

And one more mention about straight of grain. It's one of the reasons I believe in pre-washing and typically I rip off one side before washing so I know where the straight is. Cuts are often off grain by up to two inches. Some of it is because of the way the fabric is made, and then wound on the bolt, some of it is the cutting. Back in the day of home ec classes, we were taught how to pick out a thread for the straight edge, trim along that line and then tug on diagonal corners to straighten. I was taught that straight of grain was important and sometimes it is...

On the other hand, with modern woven fabrics straight isn't such a big deal for the most part. I happily fussy cut fabric all the time with no attention to the grain at all. Some people believe being slightly off grain is beneficial, yes it is true that my squares are so square they are right on grain, but if your fabric is so flimsy you need to worry about threads shedding then you shouldn't be using them.

With smaller pieces (yard and under, including fat quarters) I wash them in my normal wash (warm) with like colors and unscented soap. I've dye checked anything I'm concerned about, but usually not an issue with commercial fabrics. I want them to be roughed up a bit and come in contact with the other pieces. When they come out, I give them a good "snap" (you will know it when you hear it!), and toss them in the dryer. I don't use dryer sheets with my fabric and I'm pleased with the woolen dryer balls I've been using. I also wash the larger pieces but they don't snap :(