Accurate Cutting of quilting fabric
 

I see many videos referring to quilt patters, accurate seam allowance color, etc. I need a refresher on cutting quilt fabric.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/searc...1&action=click

Google "how to cut quilting fabric accurately" There are tons of helpful videos

you will get lots of conflicting advice because we all have our own preferences and methods that work best for us.

for me ...
pre-wash the fabric
starch the heck out of it. the stiffer the better
fold it very carefully so you are cutting on the straight of grain.
for borders and strip piecing i cut up and down along the warp (the side that doesn't stretch). no wavy borders, strips stay straight when sewn together
i prefer rulers that have very thin, but clearly visible lines and markers down to 1/8th of an inch
check along both the bottom and side(s) of the ruler to make sure it's lined up correctly.
use the lines on the ruler ... never the lines on the mat
cut standing up. better view of the fabric and ruler; arms and boobs don't get in the way.

watch this space for many, many other ways of doing things. ;-)

When you have your ruler positioned, lay your non cutting hand flat on the ruler but with your little finger (or little and ring fingers) on your cutting mat. It helps keep the ruler steady. If you are cutting more than 12 inches, either stop and reposition your hand, or use a weight towards the end of the ruler (a great way to get a little strength training in) :D. I use a 5 pound weight at the end of the ruler. It really helps on those long cuts.

A sharp blade cuts much cleaner than a dull blade. I know they are expensive but oh, what a difference!

And of course, measure twice, cut once.

As PatriceJ said, use your rulers not the lines on your cutting mat. My mats are already turned upside down and one of the first things I do when I am teaching/helping someone is turn over their mat too and teach them proper ruler techniques.

I have rather short arms, and I used to have a lot more tummy than I do now. Although I can trim subunits sitting, my cutting is most accurate when I am standing up, my kitchen table is a good height for me. My taller friends often find they do better on the kitchen counter.

I have vision issues and often mark my rulers with tape to help my accuracy and consistency.

I open up every 3rd or so cut to make sure there are no Vs at the fold and that everything is still doing what I want it to do.

I don't starch but I do iron the heck out of my fabric. I mean, can you really expect a lumpy, wrinkly wad of fabric to cut evenly?

And on the other hand, over my last 20 or so years of quilting I've been going more and more to the cut large and trim down style... I find I am more accurate, happier with my blocks and my time spent, and even with the added steps, faster.

A very important thing is to get the ruler line you are using along the edge of your fabric all the way on the fabric, not next to it. Bonnie Hunter has a good article explaining this.

Please explain more about starching the heck out of the fabric. I spray with Best Press, but I want it stiff as a board, too!

I use the Accuquilt for 90% of my basic cutting of squares, triangles, and strips. For any cuts that have bias I use starch for a stiff finish . Get the fabric wet with starch and let dry before ironing.