Rookie quilter has trimming question
#1
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I have some pre-cut fabrics with pinked edges.While it is really much nicer than some other pre-cuts that I have used, do I need to trim the pinked edge off before cutting my pieces? Or is the pinked edge just included in the seam allowance?
Thanks
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#3
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If the pre-cut is already cut to the size that you need (e.g. it's a charm pack and you need 5" squares) then you just use it as-is. If your pre-cut needs to be cut down anyway, and you won't be losing use of much of the fabric by cutting off the pinked edges, then I would cut them off. It's harder to get a good consistent seam allowance when you're dealing with those ragged edges.
(What I mean by not losing much of the fabric is - suppose your pre-cut is 5" squares, and you need 2 strips that are 2" x 4.5". You can cut off the pinked edges and still have your two strips. But if you need 2 strips that are 2.5" x 5", then you really need to just cut the pre-cut in half, because if you cut off the pinked edges you won't have enough left for your two strips.)
Hope that answers the question.
(What I mean by not losing much of the fabric is - suppose your pre-cut is 5" squares, and you need 2 strips that are 2" x 4.5". You can cut off the pinked edges and still have your two strips. But if you need 2 strips that are 2.5" x 5", then you really need to just cut the pre-cut in half, because if you cut off the pinked edges you won't have enough left for your two strips.)
Hope that answers the question.
#5
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Thanks, this is the information that I needed to know. I am finding that the quilting learning curve has a lot of ups and downs:-) As soon as I get what I think is a handle on it, something else comes up.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 669
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No! The outside point of the pinked edge is where the measurement is determined. You will be cutting your pieces short if you are wanting the full 5" or whatever. I find the little points helpful in lining things up.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
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my thought exactly....measure from the tips of the pinked edge across..... Not the "valley". Those pinked edges will not be showing, they are , like any 1/4" seam allowance, in the back of the quilt!
#9
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Always measure - for all of the precuts I have purchased with pinked edges (which is not a lot because I try to stay away from them just for this reason)- the advertised size was from the outside of the pinked edge (the points) - so if I were to trim off the pinked edge it would not have been (lets say) a strip that is 2.5" wide.
You also have to be careful when matching up a pinked edge with a cut edge. Make sure that the points of the pinked edge line up evenly with the cut edge. When I am using pinked precuts - I randomly measure the pieces after they are sewn to make sure that I have not messed up on the seam allowance and the pieces will assemble to the correct size. Good Luck - Can not wait to see what you are making!
You also have to be careful when matching up a pinked edge with a cut edge. Make sure that the points of the pinked edge line up evenly with the cut edge. When I am using pinked precuts - I randomly measure the pieces after they are sewn to make sure that I have not messed up on the seam allowance and the pieces will assemble to the correct size. Good Luck - Can not wait to see what you are making!
#10
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,511
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I would measure the pieces first - as others have suggested - and go from there.
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