Vistacruise

I need to cut four 6.5" wide rectangles 72" long for my next quilt top. The fabric is directional along the length of the fabric so I need to cut straight down the two yards. Any tips for keeping the cuts straight?

tessagin

If you fold it in 1/2 then again to where it's 18" long you'll have your 72" long. Just make sure the fabric is true/squared before you cut.

bjchad

I know there are going to be people who get the horrors when I say this but if it were me I would tear the strips. It's pretty much the only way to ensure the strip is straight and on grain.

GingerK

If the fabric has a distinctive design that would show small discrepancies, I would cut a single layer only. It will take more time but will be more accurate. Tearing will give you straight of grain, but if the pattern is printed, not woven, it may not be straight and will be distorted by tearing. Plus fabric is more difficult to tear lengthwise than widthwise.

janRN

Since the fabric has a distinctive pattern I think I'd do this the old fashioned way. I'd lay it on the floor, draw the cutting line with my ruler(s), then cut with scissors. I can see what I'm cutting instead of some of it hidden in folds.

bearisgray

I would lso cut a single layer at a time.

Barb_MO

I would probably decide where the cut should be and if it is a strip, I could cut it unfolded with my 5x 24 in ruler and keep moving my ruler and needed.
I might try tearing the selvage off first to see if it is printed straight and if it is them I would measure off the amount needed and snip the end and tear it down the length.

Tartan

First check to see if the directional print is printed straight. You may need to cut it slightly off grain if it is an obvious pattern like stripes of checks. If it looks like it is printed straight, this is the one spot I do tear my fabric. I snip the edge of the fabric about 1 inch past the size I want, tear the length off and then fold the length back up on my matt and rotary cut off the torn bruised edge to the size I need.

nativetexan

Yep, I tore mine once. Just be careful if you are like me and can't stand all those strings! I cut my thumb with the rotary cutter trimming those off!

Jo M

Connecting Threads has a pretty good "border basics" sheet that is very helpful. Here's the site, where you can download the free pdf.
http://www.connectingthreads.com/Pat...__D991395.HTML