feline fanatic

I was wondering why some people trim so much off of the selvedge edges. I rarely take off more than 1/2" as that is usually all that is necessary where the print stops and the weave gets so dense. I take off even less with batiks. Usually I cut my cross wise strips selvedge to selvedge and then trim off the little bit of selvedge from each end of the strip. I have seen members post quilts made entirely out of selvedge strips and it looks like some of these strips they are taking off up to 1 1/2" to 2" wide, maybe even more from their entire length of fabric. I will only cut selvedge from LOF when needing LOF to do sashings or borders but even then I rarely trim off more than 1/2". I can easily see where the weave is so much tighter in the selvedge and I am definitely lopping all that off. Is there a reason for removing more? Or is it just because you want to be able to use the selvedge strips in a strip quilt that you would take off more?

Dingle

I have noticed that too. I take off very little myself. Sometimes it's wider on one end but that seems to be because I squared up the fabric. I don't think it was on the bolt evenly. I try to cut as little as possible off. No sense in wasting it. I'm also always worried I won't have enough fabric to finish a project. Fabric is getting way too expensive to just hack away on it.

Jill

I have a friend who just finished a small quilt using the selvedge edge strips. She likes to have a wee bit of the fabric showing, not just the selvedges. Other than that, I don't have a clue. I don't save the selvedge edges.

gale

I just cut where the weave gets normal. But with all the selvage savers recently, I've been cutting at 1" so I can someday pass on my selvages.

sueisallaboutquilts

Same here. I'm saving for someone and they look cute with a bit of fabric on them.

happyscrappy

i started cutting them off a little bit wider than necessary since i started to save them for myself to make a project. it will take quite some time to save up, but i hope it is worth it.

katier825

I only trim off what I need to. I'm not into the selvedge projects, so I'd rather have less waste, especially with the prices up as high as they are now.

quiltmaker

I also generally cut where the weave gets normal. With all the talk about saving the selvages I have been saving mine for a project one day.

whinnytoo

If you ever decide to pass it on, please let me know! I make lots of selvedge bags and just LOVE them.

amma

I wouldn't have a problem cutting off extra to use in projects, you really aren't wasting anything if you are using them :D:D:D