The mat will also protect your surfaces from the rotary cutter's blade. Here’s my set up (see below). When I was working on my first quilt, rotary cutters didn’t exist. I feel as if I have a new crafting/sewing/quilting/embroidery friend! }); Since I have my fabric folded in fourths and since I’m working with three yards of fabric, I added a few temporary pins to ensure I keep all my fabric in place while I flip it to the other side. You don’t have to stack your strips, but you can. How do you know which size mat is right for you?*. this was very interesting I have never quilted and I am going to try getting the materials and get started. These numbers refer to the blade size. Do you know which one is right for new quilters? With all its faults, my first quilt continues to love and be loved. } This economical four-pack of rulers comes with a 2.5″, 4.5″, 6.5″, and 9.5″ square and will handle most of your square-cutting. You now have two squares made of the triangles. The blade is extremely sharp so you’ll need to be careful when using one, but the finish is much neater than using scissors. Long before the internet and accurate rotary cutting, my enthusiasm waned. I am making a duvet cover that uses huge blocks for pinwheels. Then just like above, I flipped my fabric so I could cut on the right side of my ruler. My Quilting 101 series is all about learning survival techniques for the quilting journey. on: function (event, callback) { That’s the goal. We can even cut out a rag quilt with the fringe already cut! Now, I do it differently, because it is important to me to have things perfect. Which one is right for you? The larger mat is more a luxury. Here’s why: I used to have another brand of mat and I did not get such great cuts. I h, My favorite. Take note that I will be standing at the side of my table while I cut. I remember the day I was trying to cut an 18 inch square backing for a pillow cover I was making. If you have a super-steady hand and you are sure you can cut very straight lines, you can also try with your scissors. Acrylic rulers are designed for the blade to ride against the edge making this the safest way to cut fabric when using a rotary cutter. 10. You’ll learn LOTS as you go. I have three yards of fabric here that I’m working with. Sorry I’m not much help! But that is what we make them for to be used. The real trick to this is getting the right supplies. With naive optimism, I used cardboard templates and scissors to cut out the individual quilt pieces. After reading blog after blog and trying to figure out what the best price was for good fabric and then reading a handful of old sewing books, I was able to begin the very long journey of learning to quilt. Carefully move the fabric strip so that the cut edge lines up to the first line on the cutting mat again and repeat step 15, then cut. Thanks so much for your wonderful updates. One yard of cotton fabric (the normal 45″ width) will produce 56 charm squares (5″x5″). The smaller mat worked perfectly fine for me for years. Well pressed fabric makes everything better. I tend to use starch, but I know plenty of quilters who use steam or nothing at all. Cost: $20 for setup and first hour, $10 for each additional hour. When you use the right tools you’ll get beautiful results. In my example below, I measured over from the left edge of the fabric 14 inches and then made a cut down by that small arrow at the bottom. Hi Peggy, I’m so glad you’re going to try it out! Technically, rotary blades come in a variety of sizes. I linked to all these products in this post: What Supplies Do I Need to Start Sewing and Quilting. I loved patchwork. The hand quilting is miraculously still intact with the binding showing some wear. Razor sharp rotary cutters need a proper acrylic ruler to make cutting safe. To do all that work including hand-tied knots was by far a true labor of love. 6. 9. (Not really, but some are only single-sided.) The first step is to square off your fabric. Wanda, Your email address will not be published. Scissors won’t cut just as straight and you may end up taking the process all over again. Please take note that this method works well for fabrics that do not have prints (like my denim). Machi, Custom bunting almost finished up. In total you will have 12 x 5″ squares! It is possible to cut all your blocks with scissors, but the rotary tool is quicker and more accurate. Seeing them all lined up at the sewing store can stop a newbie in her tracks. I would recommend, though, checking around for a square ruler that would help you. 8. - How … Also know that all this is will be opposite if you are left handed. I am looking at buying my own have always used my mom and grandmas. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. Rotary cutters use razor-sharp blades to swiftly cut through layers of fabric and makes safety your primary concern. 4. You’ll likely want to cut down the left side of your ruler instead of your right. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission. This was around 2007 / 2008 when I was first introduced to the Cluck Cluck Sew blog. Here at The Seasoned Homemaker® every day can be extraordinary when we Celebrate Creativity together! Other rotary cutters require you to manually cover the blade which can easily be overlooked. After your fabric has been washed, dried, and ironed, you are ready to begin cutting. #abloomingb, And mixing them all together is even more fun. This trifecta of cutting has changed the quilting world by simplifying the cutting process. This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. Open each square and press the seam toward the darker fabric with a hot iron. , Your email address will not be published. Five of them. I desperately wanted to learn to sew. The simple solution to perfectly straight fabric cuts is this: Make sure all of your rulers are the same brand. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Taking care of a rotary mat is simple and will make your mat last for years and years. Get Perfectly Straight Fabric Cuts Every Time. I was certain Country Living would want to know about this incredible work of art. I cut 2.5 inch squares individually. How to Square up your Fabric and Cut Perfect Patchwork Squares … })(); Post was not sent - check your email addresses! It’s a slow process and start small! This How to Cut Charm Squares tutorial shows you have to make your own charm squares for your quilting projects. So now that our fabric is nicely and neatly folded and all smoothed out, we are going to make our first cut. Using a rotary cutter, cut away the batting and backing that extend beyond the quilt top edge. Required fields are marked *. Quilting rulers will be clear and have markings that allow you to line up accurately before cutting. Why Are There So Many Different Quilting Rulers? When you stack them, you can cut four blocks at once. These will work fine, but I would not recommend them for anyone getting started. I’m sure there are work arounds for a few of these tools, but they are some of the basic necessities to quilting. Here’s how to cut quilt squares that are larger than your ruler. By Leslie 12 Comments This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission. That floral with the turquoise was my favorite. Yes, I have given up mass production for accuracy. Still loving the journey though! The quilt boasted an assortment of country blue sawtooth star blocks offset with cream-colored sashing. My first quilt was a high school graduation gift for my baby sister. Under a microscope, maybe. It can be found next to my sister’s family room sofa, waiting to comfort sick kids or warm chilly bones. Your email address will not be published. I cut out the paper square I needed with my crummy scissors. It is great to look back on our progress 30 and 35 years later It’s not unusual to run across festive rotary cutters that are ergonomic or are available in fun colors. I have a 34 inch Olfa mat that I was able to have after my grandmother passed away. This post and video tutorial are meant to give you all of my best practices with the tools, tips and techniques you will need to be a pro in no time. If your fabric has lines or geometrics or things of that sort, it is often best to use the print as your guide. There was an error submitting your subscription. Charm squares are a great cut of fabric to use in quilts and other patchwork projects! To read more, click here. Personally, I only use this rotary cutter because the blade retracts when I let go of the handle and it includes a locking button. PRE-CUT RAG QUILT KITS Large Squares | Wicked Step Stitcher Rather than drawing around templates and using scissors to cut out each individual piece, rotary cutters can cut multiple patches at a time with much more accuracy than scissors ever had. listeners: [], I glanced around and found two rulers that appear to be made specifically for squaring pin wheels: https://amzn.to/2HvL74H I’ve outlined the different sized rotary cutters so you won’t get overwhelmed at a store and have no idea what to choose. Well squares are the most common shaped quilt blocks there are whether it's traditional, modern, art quilts, there's a lot of square shaped blocks, or blocks with square components. (Please note that affiliate links have been used in this post.). Not so with a rotary cutter; you’ll need a self-healing mat in order to make safe cuts and preserve your table. You have to decide how big you want the quilt to be. I didn’t make another quilt for 25 years. 7. If you are looking to quilt as quickly as possible, you know that quilting and sewing hacks can be life savers. if (!window.mc4wp) { If they had, I might be sharing a different story. 3. How to Cut Fabric for Quilting Blocks - Online Quilting Videos, … No more hand tracing templates then hand cutting quilt pieces. (Absolutely!) How to Cut Squares and Rectangles . You should be able to find all of these supplies at JoAnn’s Fabrics, your local quilt shop (they’ll be more expensive there, but I try my best to support my local quilt shop when it’s reasonable), or from Amazon. Prior to that, I was using a smaller 18 inch Fiskars mat. This video has some great tips on how to take care of your mat. This way I can cut the entire way up my fabric without having to move my ruler. We already have the straight edge at the bottom of the strip but we need to cut the selvage off on the right side. I’m concerned with how to cut these blocks into perfect 30 inch squares so the pinwheel will have its point in the center. Hi Chris, my short answer is ‘I don’t know.’ I’ve only made pin wheel blocks once, and I don’t want to steer you the wrong way. Repeat all steps until you have sewn all the squares you need for your quilt or sewing project. This is how to Make this a priority and you’ll know which rulers are the best for you. Your email address will not be published. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. Some will be sized 45mm and others will be 60mm. It’s no wonder; I was tracing and hand cutting everything. Quilt Blocks for Quilting Easy Quilts - Cut Fabric for Quilting: How … Accuracy becomes the byproduct. Once you are set up, you’ll need to press your fabric. For example, if the quilt is going to be 45" across and 45 " down, you will need 25 blocks cut at 9 1/2 inches for a finished 9" block. I have printed your shopping guide which will be handy when travelling to the U.S. Do you find that your mat needs to be the same brand as the blade? callback: callback Most come with a non-slip backing which prevents the ruler from moving when cutting. I was never happy that any of the squares remotely turned out on grain. Your video showed how to cut one way large. A few manufacturers make cutters that have blade covers designed to sheath when you let go of the handle. Find the answer in the words Quilt Blocks. https://amzn.to/2SBv5wu. If anybody else in your house is caught doing this they need to wash and detail the car or even better, give the cat a bath… just the two of them in the bathroom with the door closed. Wish I had seen this earlier in my sewing life. I made my first which was the bow tie and I still have it but it needs a little repair in a few seams. Fussy Cutting Tutorial for Squares and Borders! Continue making strips and cutting squares until you have all that you need. Do the different colors make a difference? Blade size, that is. The squares I’m cutting here are eight inches by eight inches. A nice-size cutting mat for quilting is 36 x 24 inches. Until you’re experienced, stick with the auto-retracting blade. Longer rectangles are sometimes called bars. } Now, line up your fabric along one of the grid lines of a cutting mat, place the ruler where it’s needed to make a cut, and zip-zip, a quilt piece is ready to sew. . Decide on the finished size and divide by the size block you would like to use. True rectangles have four right angles and are twice as long as they are wide. Cut. 5. Welcome, I’m Leslie. Glance through the guide to see which way to cut it up to render the most squares … window.mc4wp = { We use this quilt daily and it’s just as beautiful as the day we received it. I lined up my fabric strips with the yellow lines on my cutting mat. You will now have two squares. When I switched back to Olfa brand, all was well. 1. I had never heard of Hart’s Fabric, and this denim is the only fabric I’ve bought from them, but I had no trouble at all. I lined up my ruler with the bottom edge of the strips and cut the edge off. window.mc4wp.listeners.push({ Using a mat with gridlines will make it easier to get straight lines on your squares. We use cookies to provide you with a more personalized experience during your visit to The Seasoned Homemaker. As a regular quilter and sewer, I tend to have stacks of fabric waiting around for their turn. I don’t know what you’re talking about with the not matching. Wait until you have experience cutting through fabric layers before trying something unique. If you don’t, your squares will appear wonky. Just one more. I was limited to 6 1/2 inch squares or smaller because that was the width of my ruler. If you have the budget and space there is a quilting ruler to ease almost any cutting dilemma. Wow that is a beautiful quilt I know what your talking about no rulers no cutters etc I only wish my first quilt some 35 years ago looked as good as yours enjoy your teaching ellen. New quilters only need a 45mm rotary cutter for beginner projects. What you DO need is a table, sewing ruler, rotary cutter, cutting mat, iron, and ironing board. This is a solid fabric. Now I know; if I want perfectly straight and accurate cuts I need to use a quilting ruler, rotary cutter, and mat. It’s that easy. Welcome, I’m Leslie. } thank you, Below you will see I made multiple cuts every eight inches. Squares have four 90-degree angles (right angles) and four equal sides. Now, some quilters prefer if the fabric has sizing in it because it is easier to handle and Most rotary cutters come with a manual retractable blade cover that you open for use and close when finished. Please try again. I agree for a first quilt it looks Great. I didn’t know how to cut squares that were larger than my quilting ruler. I made some nine patch squares that finished at eight inches. Now we are going to essentially do the same process again with the eight in strips of fabric. Quilt Blocks for Quilting Easy Quilts - Lots of 12 Inch Blocks! Used along with a cutting mat, a rotary cutter is the quickest and easiest way to cut precise pieces of fabric. By using the picture below, you will create a perfect (or very very close to) 90 degree angle on the bottom right corner. Get Perfectly Straight Fabric Cuts Every Time - The Seasoned … Reposition the rulers and cutting mat as needed to trim around the entire quilt. } My first was a baby sampler quilt which I am sure has long since gone to the great beyond. But not squared up large. In order to use the inch marks on my mat, I need to line up my fabric with the lines on my mat. Technically, I believe that using the same blade/mat works the best. In order to have straight squares, we need straight lines on our fabric. My blocks need to be 30 in.². I folded my fabric in half yet again so that it was shorter than the length of my ruler. Another option is to purchase a charm square pack and use that for your 5" squares. You may even see your favorite teachers using them in an online class. Your first quilt is so beautiful yet. Required fields are marked *. Sometimes, when I see this quilt, I am reminded how far quilting has come and it makes me wonder where it will be in another 25 years. (Since I wanted a 14 inch square, I cut up about 14 inches and then stopped.) When cutting with scissors, it’s not a problem to lay something out on a table and cut. If you don’t have enough yardage for a particular size square for a quilt pattern, shop your stash for a fat quarter. event : event, How do you know which rotary cutter is the best for your needs and budget? Understand, the point to any quilting ruler is achieving an accurate cut. How to Cut a Quilt with the Cricut Maker Supplies: Cricut Maker* Riley Blake Designs Daisy Days Quilt Kit* To a T Baby Quilt Pattern* Two 12×24 Fabric Grip Mat* – you can cut faster when you can work on one mat while the Maker cuts on the other mat. A rotary cutter has two types of safety covers. Follow the lines in your fabric kind of like I did in this post. INSIDE: Get Perfectly Straight Fabric Cuts Every Time. Rotate your fabric to that 4th side and measure over the same way you did above. You don’t need all that. Now, you have 3 sides cut. Any suggestions? If you’re new to quilting then choosing a rotary cutter could present a challenge. Well, you can! Add 1/2" to the block size. Imagine trying to cut out quilt pieces using a rotary cutter and a piece of cardboard. There are several manufacturers that offer mats with a variety of features. Cutting fabric is so much easier with smaller amounts, but I wanted to keep this in one large piece. Since our ruler is too skinny to cut eight inch squares, I’m going to use my mat as a guide instead. Thank you for so much information. ☺️This will be backing many of th. Don’t worry about imperfections the first time around. Here at The Seasoned Homemaker. Rotary cutters began to be popular with quilters in the early 1980s and today these rolling knives are the accepted way to cut out quilt fabric. If wanting more charms, simply the 10 inch squares into four. Practically speaking, you can get by with some basic rulers while you grow your skills. I stacked two strips on top of each other. Trim the excess fabric sticking out on the ends of the seam with scissors. I have four blocks with half square triangles already put together. This is such a great question. One More Tip for Perfectly Straight Fabric Cuts Every Time. Yes, Yes, thank you very much for your helpful recommendations. It won’t work and I have a scar to prove why. The advantage of using a charm pack is that there would be no cutting the squares. They come in a variety of sizes, but a 45mm diameter blade will be most useful when you’re starting out. To make a more scrappy quilt, select many different fabrics. I remember the early days of sewing and trying to figure out how to cut up all this new found fabric in an effort to sew it back together again in an extremely cute fashion. My ability to match seams and points on that first quilt was non-existent. Don’t use your good ones to cut paper or plastic. Even cut the batting squares! The denim I’m using here is Art Gallery Fabric’s denim in Endless Paradise. Smooth out your fabric to ensure there are no lumps or bumps, and then fold it in half widthwise. I, Pro tip: the more horizontal spaces available in y, These are all done and listed. forms : { Quilt blocks are square and owning square rulers means perfectly square squares. You can see below how these denim ones are being used. Left uncovered it wouldn’t take much to brush your hand along the sharp edge or knock it to the floor, creating an entirely different hazard. And the design I'm going to show you is a nice geometric design which is really fast and easy to quilt and it requires no marking which is great. Tutorial: How to Cut Charm Squares. To follow along with this tutorial, you’ll need a rotary … Should you get double-sided? My sister made for hubby & I a king size flannel quilt when we moved into our newly built dream house 20+ years ago. Place the fabric on a cutting mat with gridlines and fold it in half. For understanding how to square up fabric and cutting fabric on grain you need to get familiar with 2 terms, the weft and the warp. Use this quilting basics tutorial on how to cut fabric to get 56 perfectly trimmed 5 inch squares out of a yard of fabric. Success! Then I cut every eight inches using the yellow lines as my guides. Thank you for a great article. Maybe do a bit of reading and start with one of these. A stack of coordinating fat quarters could be cut into 5" squares to make this quilt. I’ve been quilting for some time, but can always use a “refresher course”. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Goodness, that is a gorgeous cardboard template, scissor cut quilt!
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