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A Beginner's Guide to Quilting
Learn all of the tips, tricks and shortcuts of cutting fabric and sewing blocks in this easy-to-read guide. Unlock the Secrets of creating a beautiful quilt using this simple 9 step system. Amaze your friends with your creativity. |
Dear Girls,
I have a recurring problem in that I never seem to cut my fabric straight no matter that I have the right equipment and so when I sew I always have something out of alignment. Please help me its driving me crazy.
Thanks sew much. Marie Burton from the land down under and you have my permission to print about me.
Answers for Quilters
To ensure that your quilt will be the shape you want it to be, your first cut must be straight on the cross-grain of the fabric (perpendicular to the selvedge). It’s easy, once you have folded your fabric properly for cutting and squared the edges:
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Hold your fabric with the raw edges on top, allowing the selvedge edges to hang straight down to the floor. Fold the fabric in half, right sides out, matching selvedge edges, and lining them up so they are straight and together. This is one of the most difficult parts, and it is amazing how much the cross-grain edge (the raw edges) can be off even though the cut appeared straight at the fabric shop. This is also one of the most critical steps. If the selvedges are not lined up correctly, the strips will not be straight; there will be bends in the strips, and you won’t be able to make square squares – they will be misshapen. |
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As an extra step, check the bottom fold of the fabric, to be sure that there are no gaps or wrinkles there either.
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Once your fabric is folded, and you are confident you will cut straight strips, lay it down (folded) on your cutting mat.
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Fold your fabric again, lining up the bottom fold with the selvedge edge. Line up the folded piece of fabric on the mat with a horizontal gridline.
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Make sure that the selvedges and folded edge stay even with each other, and line up your ruler with a vertical line on your cutting mat. Move the ruler sideways until all of the raw edges are clear of the ruler and will be cut off. You will probably want to go about ¼” past the raw edge into the “good” fabric to make sure you catch all of the fraying threads. |
After you cut the first strip, unfold it and hold it up to see if it is straight. If it has a bend re-fold the fabric, matching the selvedges again, cut a skinny strip to even the ends, then cut a new full-size strip and check again.
Usually after one or two cuts, I can get the fabric strip straight. I'll admit that I have a piece of black fabric that I have not ever been able to cut a straight strip from. I wouldn't begin to guess why, but I've already wasted about 1/4 yard trying!
I have given up cutting strips from that piece, and will use it only for small squares or backing.
Watch the video for additional tips:
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
