New girl here! In need of some advice!!
03-04-2014, 05:30 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Timmins, Ont. Canada
Posts: 4,683
Welcome from Canada !! Just wanted to say that I too have had this problem & have just purchased something called a Slidelock (after being recommended here). It is NOT a ruler as it does not have measurements on it. It is a ruler "wannabe". It's a straight piece of acrylic with an attached handle with big grips on the bottom. With your ruler or the grid on your mat, you line up your fabric with those straight lines, put your Slidelock even with the lines, push down on it until it grips your fabric & cut away. Your fabric cannot move & apparently you can cut multiple folds of fabric with no movement & hence, straighter cuts. I have only just received it & have tried it only a couple of times but so far, so good. Fairly reasonably priced, so check it out www.quiltersslidelock.com It may be your solution.
03-04-2014, 05:44 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
Originally Posted by Dispatchgirl
Amazing! That video helps so much! I think I was trying to cut with too much yardage. I have two yards of this fabric and I think for ease of cutting purposes I'm gonna chop it down so I'm working with less fabric on the table.
Duh I should have realized that was an issue.
Duh I should have realized that was an issue.
03-04-2014, 05:50 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ft. Wayne
Posts: 640
I took a class from Ami Simms and learned when ironing fabric that moving the iron parrallel to the salvage edge will decrease the likelyood of stretching the fabric out of shape. The threads that are the base for weaving (warp) are more stable then the crosswise threads (weft). No salvage on your fabric? Hold it between your thumbs and forefingers and give a gentle tug. If it stretshes it is the cosswise threads, if it doesn't it is the warp.
03-04-2014, 07:18 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
Hang in there; we've nearly all been there before. You will get better as you gain more experience. If you can find the book "The Better Homes and Gardens Complete Book of Quilting" you will find the pictures and text are most helpful. It is not a new release, so you should be able to find a used copy.
03-04-2014, 07:30 AM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yorkville, IL
Posts: 7,639
This is an ongoing problem even if you are not new...just realign often. I finally bought a "GO" when Joann's put them on sale. I love it for cutting strips..mine are straight now ...well worth the cost if you are a "forever quilter".
03-04-2014, 07:54 AM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 559
After many years of quilting, I still learn from other quilters. A tip when rotary cutting is: Keep the bulk of your fabric to your right if you are right handed. It really helps being accurate and efficient.
03-04-2014, 08:28 AM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,669
Paperprincess has provided good advice. Please be sure that your cutting surface under your mat is perfectly flat. If, for example, you are cutting on a table that has a leaf, there may be an uneven spot that will make a difference. Ask me how I know!
And welcome to the board from chilly, but the sun is coming out and it should finally get into the 40's today, North Texas. froggyintexas
And welcome to the board from chilly, but the sun is coming out and it should finally get into the 40's today, North Texas. froggyintexas
03-04-2014, 08:51 AM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 432
you can also straighten the grain of the fabric: with slightly damp cloth, grab opposite corners i.e., top left corner and bottom right corner and stretch, then top right corner and bottom left corner. the grain often gets distorted during the milling process. i generally do the stretch then the rip to get perfectly squared fabric
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