charity-crafter

I'm having problems cutting blocks for things like the msqc summer in the park or the 3 dudes strip quilt (basically a Hidden Wells) or any tube type quilting I wind up with basically 2 sizes of blocks. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I tend to make more strip sets then I need and then make 2 quilts, but now I have a fabric that I don't have enough to do that and need to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

Have you had this problem? How do I not do this? I know it's important to line up the ruler on the sewing line, not the edge of the fabric. I may use a higher contrast thread next time to see it better.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Sarah in MD

PaperPrincess

If you consistently come up with 2 different sizes, you probably are positioning your ruler differently when you cut some of the blocks. I keep typing and deleting... This is hard to explain! When you place the triangle ruler on your tube, note what the measurement is on the bottom of the ruler along the edge of the fabric. You can put a piece of masking tape on the ruler to mark it. make your first 2 cuts to cut the first triangle. Flip your ruler 180 degrees and position it so that the top of the fabric is the same measurement as your first triangle cut. Unless you have issues with your seam allowance varying widely, you can use the edge of the fabric to position the ruler.

KLO

Have you watched the Summer in the Park Revamped MSQ video tute? It's very clear where she is sewing and cutting. I think it is clearer in this tute than the original one. Maybe watching that a couple of times will show you where you are going wrong. I too think it might be where you are placing your ruler that might be throwing you off. I hope you can figure this out and get the same size blocks.

Onebyone

I have the strip tube ruler and it has the lines marked so you can't forget. I used a regular ruler and always forgot if I placed it right. I spent more time re checking then it took to cut. I think the special tools do make a difference.

charity-crafter

I may invest in that ruler. I love the quilts that strip tubes produce and it's so easy. I make a lot of smaller quilts for QFK but I'm making a hidden wells QOV next and only have enough of one fabric to not make this mistake.

ManiacQuilter2

I always try to avoid doing a tube because you can't see what you are cutting. There is this product by Omnigrid that allow you to make a temporary mark on your ruler:
http://www.joann.com/omnigrid-glow-l...igrid&start=53
I bought the Tube strip ruler from Cozy quilt and have not regretted the purchase.