quilter1

I have just finished cutting the pieces for Sawtooth Square blocks, and despite my best and carefull cutting, some of the squares are not accurate. Does anyone have tips for cutting? It seems like such a simple thing when I have been quilting for years. Do I need to go back to a beginner class?

lisalovesquilting

Maybe your ruler is slipping. Try "walking" your hand up the ruler as you cut. Like this: cut, move your hand, cut, move your hand... Hope this helps.

Prism99

Did you prewash the fabrics? Prewashing removes the manufacturer's sizing, which helps stabilize the fabric.

Whenever I am concerned about accurate cuts, I starch the fabric before cutting (and I don't prewash!). Heavy starching makes the fabric more stable and results in more accurate cuts. It also keeps cut edges from stretching from handling.

redquilter

Question about starching - do you use spray starch and iron the fabric?

quiltlady37

I put the little sandpaper dots on all of my rulers. It does keep the ruler from slipping.

Prism99

Some people spray starch. I always seem to have a terrible time with it, overspraying and having my iron too hot so it scorches the starch and makes the iron gunky. So, I came up with the following method for starching yardage that is faster and easier for me.

For very heavy starching (say, background fabrics for machine applique) I stir up a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, lay the fabric out on my kitchen island, and "paint" the starch mixture on with a large wall painting brush. When the fabric is saturated, I toss it in the dryer and then iron with starch. The fabric comes out with the stiffness of cardstock and is completely stable.

For cutting regular quilt pieces, I don't prewash the fabric and get sufficiently accurate cuts that way. If I did prewash, I would use the above method with a 4:1 solution of water to liquid starch (a much lighter starch solution). The fabric won't come out stiff, but will have enough stability for cutting and piecing.

I have used the heavy starch method when cutting bias strips for binding. It worked great! The fabric doesn't wiggle under the cutter and the cut edges don't distort from handling.

A different way to get accurate cuts for piecing is to get an Accquilt Go! or studio die cutter. Expensive, though.

BellaBoo

I wasted too much fabric by having bad cuts. That's how my scrap basket filled up. I tired everything. I bought the Accuquilt Go and have never looked back. Also using jelly rolls and the pre cut packs of fabric are excellent for accuracy. Some say they are too expensive. All I have to do is look at my scrap BARREL to think NOT.

redquilter

Prism99 - thanks for the indepth info. Much appreciated. I don't prewash either and don't have much trouble cutting, but you gave good advice in the event I need it.

Prism99

Hmmm.... I meant to say I iron with "steam", not starch! I never used to make typos like that when I was younger......

Oklahoma Suzie

I use my own special spray, it's not starch, but it gives a sizing to the fabric.