Wierd cutting sizes
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 947
Dearest Maniac Quilter,
Which part of the post in which I described my quilting experience was hogwash? I took a few classes in the early 80s, before rotary cutters, rulers and mats were mainstream. There was definitely a culture that valued precision and mathamatical qualities of piecing at that time-- using templates and super fine point pencils and scissors and being very careful in the cutting and marking of peices. That's not hogwash-- it's just how quilters operated at that time. If the original poster is using patterns and directions that hearken from that time, or are written by a designer who uses that mindset, that's why there are a lot of unusual cutting sizes.
I'm certainly not advocating for a return to those days. Did your reading of my post lead you to believe I was?
RST
Which part of the post in which I described my quilting experience was hogwash? I took a few classes in the early 80s, before rotary cutters, rulers and mats were mainstream. There was definitely a culture that valued precision and mathamatical qualities of piecing at that time-- using templates and super fine point pencils and scissors and being very careful in the cutting and marking of peices. That's not hogwash-- it's just how quilters operated at that time. If the original poster is using patterns and directions that hearken from that time, or are written by a designer who uses that mindset, that's why there are a lot of unusual cutting sizes.
I'm certainly not advocating for a return to those days. Did your reading of my post lead you to believe I was?
RST
#12
Just an observation. When I started quilting, about 2 years ago, I bought several patterns and a kit. I just cracked into them and each one has these crazy size cutting instructions. Like 3 1/8 squares, 5 5/8 by 7 3/4 rectangles and so on. And they aren't going to be HSTs or geese. What's up with that? Maybe its just because I'm a beginner, but those sizes just seem strange to me!
#13
I too remember a time when quilters used templates and scissors, and made precision cuts to the size needed, and I don't think they would have considered another way, at least the few I knew wouldn't. There was no cutting bigger and trimming down, and not a lot of short cuts. Trimming down meant waste, and they were too frugal to waste, and so they didn't. The woman who got me interested in quilting, cut precisely with her scissors, and pieced and quilted by hand, and that seemed to be the quilting "law" at the time. I am thankful for her tutelage, and her shared templates, because I learned so much from her, and I appreciate that tradition, but am grateful for rotary cutters and shorter versions of quilt block instructions.
#14
I have to admit that when I took classes back in the early 70's, we made everything to size, we didn't even think of doing it a little larger and trimming it back to size. That said, I much prefer the way we do it now. cut it a little larger, sew it together and cut to the correct size. Much less frustrating.
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,644
I have patterns where I am told to cut a border piece to something like 62-3/8 inches.
I am fairly accurate with my piecing, but I will ALWAYS cut my border pieces an inch or two longer than the pattern says. ( yes, I do measeure the center in several places, but I still prefer to have a bit of wiggle roon on a longer length.
I am fairly accurate with my piecing, but I will ALWAYS cut my border pieces an inch or two longer than the pattern says. ( yes, I do measeure the center in several places, but I still prefer to have a bit of wiggle roon on a longer length.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 947
Bearisgray ---
I remember that too.
Or the binding technique where you measured your quilt carefully, to the 1/8th inch, cut your binding to the precise length, then stitched it into a loop with all the joins mitered, and if you were doing it right, it all fit. That expectation translated to a lot of UFOs for me.
RST
I remember that too.
Or the binding technique where you measured your quilt carefully, to the 1/8th inch, cut your binding to the precise length, then stitched it into a loop with all the joins mitered, and if you were doing it right, it all fit. That expectation translated to a lot of UFOs for me.
RST
#18
If the center of block is going "on point," it will have some strange measurements. Keep in mind that when you are making HST units, the seam allowance addition is 7/8". Like above, I would play with a paper mock-up. Cut the pieces out (all of them) at the size they call for. Fold over the seam allowances & see how well they play together.
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,644
Bearisgray ---
I remember that too.
Or the binding technique where you measured your quilt carefully, to the 1/8th inch, cut your binding to the precise length, then stitched it into a loop with all the joins mitered, and if you were doing it right, it all fit. That expectation translated to a lot of UFOs for me.
RST
I remember that too.
Or the binding technique where you measured your quilt carefully, to the 1/8th inch, cut your binding to the precise length, then stitched it into a loop with all the joins mitered, and if you were doing it right, it all fit. That expectation translated to a lot of UFOs for me.
RST
I don' t recall a pattern like that, but ilearned along time ago to wait until I get go the borders to cut them.
#20
I've just taken to marking my ruler at those measurements and ignoring the lines on the ruler other than for checking "straight"
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