karenpatrick

I need help cutting my borders. When I cut them longways, instead of across the width of fabric, I have a terrible time getting it rolled up to cut it. How do you do it? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

PaperPrincess

when I need a long strip like that, I rip it.

ckcowl

i open up my yardage then fold in half lengthwise- then fold carefully again in half-making sure everything is nice and even-folds crisp.
then i fold it in half one more time...so i have 8 thicknesses. that is the max i can cut with a NEW BLADE in my cutter-with out skips.
if it is still too large for my cutting table i drape it behind the table = hanging down the back, carefully line up the folded edge along a straight line on my cutting mat, line the lines of my ruler up nice and straight with the lines on the mat- cut up the length of the ruler- then move the ruler- pull the yardage toward me (the part hanging down the back)line up again and cut- and repeat until i reach the end.

MTS

I don't roll it, or do it in sections.

I fold the whole shebang in half (all 3 yards- or whatever), making sure the selvages are lined up.
Then fold that in that half, again making sure everything is lined up and flat, the inner folds are not getting yanked out of position, and everything is taut.

I keep doing that until I've got less than 24", recheck everything again, position the ruler, and cut.

Hope that helps. ;-)

eta: Depending on your border plans, you can keep the fabric folded in half (by the width) for this whole process. That means each cut will get you 2 borders, and still leave you with an extra contiguous piece in the center.

Or you can cut the yardage down the middle (width - the fold when it comes off the bolt) and work with it that way.

Again, it depends on the planned width of your border.

karenpatrick

I didn't really mean roll. I meant folded.