Site Meter Quilting By Design » Blog Archive » A Quilter’s Fabric Cutting Tips

A Quilter’s Fabric Cutting Tips

by Terry Crawford

Fabric Cutting Tips
     Quilting is becoming more popular as trends keep pace with home improvement, home decor, and crafting. Add to this the idea that people are beginning to embrace traditional activities from years gone by. It is true: What is old is suddenly becoming new again.
     Many of us have been quilters for quite some time; even when quilting might not have been seen to be an acceptably “cool” activity. Some people quilt as a means of relieving stress, as a form of relaxation, for utilitarian purposes, for extra income, or as a hobby. No matter why you quilt, there is nothing more frustrating than beginning to sew your quilt top together, only to find that the pieces do not fit! There are two (2) key reasons why your quilt top pieces may not fit together correctly: 1) Inaccurate sewing (which is an entirely different article!), and 2) Inaccurate cutting.
     This article covers the latter and should provide you with a few fabric cutting tips to make the cutting process easier and more enjoyable.

  • Sharp tools! Make sure that your cutting tool is sharp, no matter if it is a rotary cutter or scissors. Small nicks in a rotary cutter can cause problems in that if it does not cut all the way through, there is the chance that it will become misaligned as you try to make the cut go through the fabric, either by trying to pull it or re-cutting.
  • Pre-wash the fabric. This can help in the cutting process by allowing you to align the fabric, selvage to selvage, then folding it in half. The fold in the fabric straight off the bolt does not mean that the fabric is aligned correctly. In fact, most times, it is misaligned. Once the fabric is washed and folded, press the fold.
    Start with a clean, even edge. Once the fabric is aligned, it is time to cut the edge. This can be accomplished by first laying the fabric on a flat surface, with the fold closest to you and the aligned selvages away from you. Snip the fabric close either edge on the fold. If you are right-handed, snip the left edge, and vice-versa. Once you snip it, then tear the fabric from the fold to the selvages. Tearing it assures that it will clean up on the straight of grain. Once done, realign the selvages, place the folded side of the fabric closest to you, and smooth it out (press it before placing it on the flat surface, if it needs it). Using an acrylic ruler, align a straight, marked line with the fold, leaving approximately 1 inch of fabric past the side of the ruler, then cut. Use this edge to cut the rest of the fabric. Check the alignment of the ruler with the edge of the fabric every few cuts to make sure that it remains clean and even.
  • Layering fabric. The safest way to assure that your cuts are clean is to not cut more than the two (2) layers created by placing it on the flat surface with the fold closest to you. Notice that I said “safest”. It is also the slowest. It is possible to fold the fabric once more, bringing the selvages up to the fold. Should you decide to do this, make absolutely sure that there are no creases or mini-folds within the fabric.
  • Cutting multiple same-size strips. If cutting strips that are all the same size, you can speed the cutting up by placing a piece of tape on top of the ruler on the edge of the size you need. This way, instead of having to search for the measurement each time, you can simply align the tape with the edge of the fabric. This visually makes the cutting easier and faster.
  • Stable acrylic ruler. If the ruler is not firmly held in place and is allowed to slip and slide, this can cause cuts to be uneven. There are items that can be used to help stabilize the ruler, including pre-made sandpaper dots that stick to the underneath side of the ruler or you can also simply fold tape back on itself (or use double-sided tape) and stick it to the back.
  •      Hopefully, these tips aid you in cutting more accurately. The old saying, “Measure twice; cut once.” is really the prudent thing to do. It takes but a second to carefully glance at the ruler and the fabric before making the cut.
         Lastly, if your cut strips have “bulges” near the fold or if one end of your strip is wider than the other, then it would definitely pay for you to at least try one or more of the tips above.
         Do you have any tips that you would like to share? If so, please leave your comments!
         Good luck and happy cutting!

    StarQuilting By Design Site Map.
    StarOriginal article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

    , , , , ,


    5 Responses to “A Quilter’s Fabric Cutting Tips”

    1. Wilma Young Says:

      Terry, I have been reading all your articles with great interest. I have learned a lot and enjoy your great writing and explanations. I haven’t been able to reply until now because of major computer problems. Keep up the good work.

    2. Kathy Says:

      Another great article Terry. I have one suggestion. I put blue painter’s tape on the back side of the ruler instead of the top. Depending on how wide the fabric is that I’m cutting, I sometimes use 3 or 4 small pieces. By putting it on the back side you can feel it slide right up to the fabric creating sort of a stop guide (kind of like the 1/4″ guide on my sewing machine). I prefer the painter’s tape for two reasons: 1) it’s just easier for me to see and 2) it’s not as sticky as masking tape so it’s easier to pull off.

    3. pollyanna Says:

      One of the problems I have with cutting strips such as 2.5 inch “noodles” is that there is often a little zig on the second fold–not the fabric is folded wonky but when the noodle is unfolded, it isn’t as straight as I thought. Any solutions?

    4. Valerie Says:

      Awesome article, Terry! These are all great tips. I had never before seen the tip about tearing the fabric to align the cut with the grain, I will have to try that out.

      My one piece of advice is to make sure your acrylic ruler is free of nicks. Those rotary cutter blades are very sharp and can actually nick or shave off bits of the ruler if you aren’t careful. When this happens, you don’t have a nice straight edge any more and your cuts won’t be straight either.

    5. Terry Crawford Says:

      Wilma, I appreciate your comment and am glad that you finally have the capabilities of getting here and commenting!
      ———-
      Kathy, excellent idea! Thanks for the tip!
      ———-
      pollyanna, the best solution I have to offer is two-fold: 1) Make absolutely sure when you fold multiple layers that there are NO wrinkles or folds tucked in. Smooth it out as best as you possibly can. 2) If 1) doesn’t work, then I recommend not using multiple layers. Personally, if that happens to me, I unfold it and begin cutting with a single fold. Hope this helps!
      ———-
      Val, great advice on the ruler! I know I’ve nicked my rulers a time or two!
      ———-
      I really appreciate everyone’s comments. You’ve provided some great tips!

    Leave a Reply


    About Quilting By Design

    Quilting By Design is one of the best online resources for quilting information, tips, techniques, tutorials, and more. Please take a few minutes to explore and feel free to share your comments.

    A Site Map is also available so that you can easily navigate by article titles.

    Thank you so much for dropping by; Bookmark this site and visit again soon!

    Quilting By Design Author(s)
        » Terry-Crawford

    Crafts & Hobbies Channel Posts

    • Top 5 Most Wanted He-Man Figures
      While I don't really count myself as a tried and true He-Man fan, he does hold a special place in my heart. I'm really hoping Mattel's new attempt at making He-Man fans for collectors is really [...]
    • didyouhearthat?
      That sound . . . that slightest of whispers . . . no, that loudest of gleeful yells . . . do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, (etc.) Yup - it's the first day of school on the Kenai [...]
    • Organizing Crafts
      How do you organize your craft projects? I set out with the best intentions to keep everything I need together. That way when I sit down to finally do a project I have everything I need. Sometimes it [...]
    • Oils to Help Cure Some Common Ailments (A)
      1. For Acne: • Cedarwood can be use for its antiseptic and astringent properties. • Try patchouli. • Apple cider vinegar mixed with tea tree oil can be applied right on the breakout. • [...]
    • Into every life . . .
      A little rain must fall . . . but with that rain comes a rainbow if you are blessed to see it. This is a shot from the front door Sunday. We'd been having hints of rain all day, but it was mostly [...]
    • The Big Millennium Falcon is Mine!
      Well kids, I finally did it. I broke down and bought the new big ass Millennium Falcon. It would be a crime to not share my faults with you, since A. It's one of the most talked about and anticipated [...]
    • Crochet Doll Hats
      My little girl loves Woody from Toy Story. You know it's really hard to find toys from non-current movies, right? But my mom found a nice size Woody doll at a rummage sale. Sadly, Woody didn't [...]
    • Two for the price of one
      Admittedly, I am NOT one to follow fashion. Sometimes that is a GOOD thing. Reading this article today about the best of the worst fashion fads only to discover that the poncho AND the shrug are [...]
    • This Month In ToyFare: Issue #134
      The original look at the greatest non-adult toy magazine around is back this month with a look at issue #134. I've learned an important lesson this month. ToyFare is not only good for pooping [...]
    • G.I. Joe Club Announces 2009 Free Figures
      The G.I. Joe Collectors Club has finally gone and done it. They've pushed me over the edge so now I must join. In case you didn't know, one of the coolest things that the G.I. Joe Collector's [...]

    Hot Off The Press

    • InStyle shows you celebrity Looks for Less
      This is such a good site! InStyle has a list of your favorite female fashionable celebrities to choose from. You pick the celebrity style you like and see a picture of them in their normal fashion [...]
    • Pushing Daisies Season 2 Episode 1-10 Guide
      Warning: I'm keeping the guides right after the cut, in case some of this blog's visitors don't want to be spoiled of the story... These are what we have so far and we're going to update [...]
    • PATD: Pay Attention to Details!
      I used to know a baseball coach who was always telling his team, "PATD" or Pay Attention to Details. His theory was that if you took care of the little things, the big things would take care of [...]
    • TV on DVD Review of Week: Handy Manny - Manny's Pet Roundup
      Handy Manny's Pet Roundup is the latest DVD release with episodes of the Handy Manny Playhouse Disney show for preschoolers. This is a decent release of the show for a three main reasons. One [...]
    • Costar update: Christina's brave decision
      As previously reported, actress Christina Applegate, who played Rachel's sister Amy on Friends, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. In an interview with Good Morning America, Christina spoke [...]
    • Keith Urban's New Tattoo
      Keith absolutely and completely loves his wife, Nicole Kidman. Course who really doubted this? I don't think he'd still be with her if he didn't. While he was rushing through the LAX (Los Angeles [...]
    • The First Episode Is Useless
      I've said it before and I'm going to say it again. You have to watch more that 1 episode before making up your mind. I was reminded of this recently when I checked out the anime Air. I'll be [...]
    • The Rocker watch: A whole lot of Rainn Wilson
      Because his movie, The Rocker, is opening today, August 20th; and because we want to acknowledge his work; and because we want a lot of people to watch this movie (and have Jenna free, now!) --- [...]
    • Many turn up for Lost casting call
      When casting calls were announced to residence of Hawaii for Lost last week, did the producers even anticipate a pandemonium? The casting call required very little from those aspiring to appear on [...]
    • Bye Bye Danc Crew, Hello Tabatha
      Tomorrow night the decision will be made, who is America’s Best Dance Crew? Will it be Houston’s SoReal Cru or Vegas Super Cr3w.? I personally think it could go either way. I think both [...]