Pull or Don't Pull
#21
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What do you do when a fabric was printed way off kilter? I have an old piece from my moms stash (she made a baby blanket for my 27 year old from it) that is so terrible off that my only hope to use it is to fussy cut it. She used it whole and hand quilted around the designs. So she obviously had another piece of it that was "right".
#23
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Location: Glenmoore, PA
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Originally Posted by feline fanatic
I was taught a quick method to straighten grain. Simply pull on the bias of the fabric from one corner to the other. Do it both ways. Then when folding to cut you can see the "drape" if it was not cut straight. Then, with selvedges matched I move one cut end over until the fabric hangs straight when folded. This keeps my cut strips nice and straight with no dog legs. I was never taught the pull a thread method but it does sound like it could come in handy on some fabrics where you really need the straight of grain.
#24
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Location: Glenmoore, PA
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Originally Posted by davidwent
Dang! I took auto repair :lol:
David
David
#26
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I pull 2 threads so I can see it when I cut it. There are some fabrics that are so tight that you really can't pull a thread. I have a cutting mat that I attached a ruler right on the line of the mat with hot glue gun and duck tape the ends. I just slide the fabric under the ruler line it up and cut it.
#28
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I have done all of those methods for straightening the grain. I am also fond of tearing.
However, for quilting, I find it is more important to pay attention to the fold, and be sure that you have lined up one line on your ruler for that. That way, when you cut across the grain, you will have a straight cut, and not a 'V' when you open out the fabric.
I use bias cuts frequently and never have a problem. I think it is more important to cut accurately than for the fabric to be perfectly on grain.
However, for quilting, I find it is more important to pay attention to the fold, and be sure that you have lined up one line on your ruler for that. That way, when you cut across the grain, you will have a straight cut, and not a 'V' when you open out the fabric.
I use bias cuts frequently and never have a problem. I think it is more important to cut accurately than for the fabric to be perfectly on grain.
#29
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We were taught that too ... and I have never used it in quilting :)
I had one fabulous week of a class with John Willard - "spontaneous geometrics" - and he showed us how he will often cut which ever way the geometric design he is going for, is laid out on the fabric. Sometimes straight width of fabric, sometimes on the diagonal bias, sometimes just off straight.
Most of my creations are from width of fabric cuts, so I do work on getting a good straight edge without 'v'. But I'm prepared to cut at whatever angle I need, to get the right effect :)
I had one fabulous week of a class with John Willard - "spontaneous geometrics" - and he showed us how he will often cut which ever way the geometric design he is going for, is laid out on the fabric. Sometimes straight width of fabric, sometimes on the diagonal bias, sometimes just off straight.
Most of my creations are from width of fabric cuts, so I do work on getting a good straight edge without 'v'. But I'm prepared to cut at whatever angle I need, to get the right effect :)
#30
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Originally Posted by feline fanatic
I was taught a quick method to straighten grain. Simply pull on the bias of the fabric from one corner to the other. Do it both ways. Then when folding to cut you can see the "drape" if it was not cut straight. Then, with selvedges matched I move one cut end over until the fabric hangs straight when folded. This keeps my cut strips nice and straight with no dog legs. I was never taught the pull a thread method but it does sound like it could come in handy on some fabrics where you really need the straight of grain.
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06-17-2010 04:24 AM