marciacp

Hi David,
I haven't read all the other replies, so forgive me if I am
repeating what others have said.

Bowed strips occur when first of all you double fold the
fabric. When cutting strips, you should always cut from the
single fold (the way it comes off the bolt, instead of folding
it again from the original fold to the selvege.)

Even when cutting from the single fold, you can still have
bowed strips unless you do one important step. After cutting
two (three at the most) strips, then move your fabric to the
nearest line. You will find that there will be a slight overage
on that line if you have the fabric lined up on both the vertical
horizontal line. You need to put your ruler there and cut off
the sliver that is over the horizontal line to straighten the cut.

It doesn't matter how carefully you cut each strip, the fabric
needs to be straightened in this way about every 2 - 3 cuts.
If you will do these two things, you will have straight strips -
no bowing.
Have a Blessed Day!

Jaos

When I have a yard of more of fabric, I cut off a piece approx. 24", instead of trying to hold up all the fabric. Do you use a specific size?

Baloonatic

I line my 12x12 ruler up to the fold of the fabric, then butt my 6x12 ruler to it and make my cut. I too recheck for squareness every 2-3 cuts and more often than not find I need to square it up again. I never have V-strips any more

catray

When you purchase fabric it is never straight. When you put the two selvege edges together you may see the there is a lump at the point of the fold. Move over one selvege edge to the left or right until you get a smooth fabric. Doing this while standing up or else you will not see the problem or the difference in how the fabric lays. Now all you have to do is to use either folded or selvege edge as a straight edge and cut a straigh line from fold to selvege. Cut a small sample to check the straightness of strip. That's it.

Scakes

Sometimes my strips are straight and sometimes they're not. I'm gonna try out some of these tips and hope for better results. Thanks all.

Lady Diana

I used to freak out when I saw my Lqs owner take our 44"folded fabric and then fold it again bring the fold from the bottom to the selvage.....I thought, OMG, there is going to be a "V" in it......it didn't happen.
So I went home and tried it. I did not starch, just folded where there was the four layers, smoothed, and smoothed, then cut the end to square up. My secret is using the June Taylor slotted template ruler.....you don't pick up the ruler and moving it each cut. This big square template slotted ruler lays on the folded fabric....line up the fabric fold on the bottom line, insert your rotary cutter into the desired strip slot measurement and cut. cut, cut....up to 9 strips without moving the ruler. It comes in different sizes. Watch for those Joann sales and coupons.

D in TX

debbieoh

what the heck is a Go baby??

Lady Diana

It is smaller than the GO. Light Weight.
I have the Studio...it is a monster...very heavy. But love it.
D in TX

Holice

David: I havn't read all the posts but so far I havn't seen a description of exactly what you are doing. A clear and complete description of how you are folding your fabric, straightening up, etc how you hold the fuler. Motion of rotary cutter. Appears most of the responses are based on assumption. It might be just an adjustment in what you are already doing.

GramaLaura

I love this board!!! Everyone is so helpful :D