stefanib123

I am having problems! I've been practicing and practicing my rotary cutting and somehow its still "off".

I've searched all the threads on here, follow all the tips and still when I put my blocks together, they still aren't exact.

I put some sandpaper on the back of my rulers yesterday and that helped a lot with it slipping. I starch the crap out of everything. I'm really careful when cutting, and only cut one layer at a time.

And I am STILL getting blocks that aren't right! They look fine on my mat but, when I go to put two together to sew them, they are different!

What am I doing? Or not doing?

kathy

I don't know what to tell you without watching you do it but I know for me it's easier to cut 2-3 layers than one, do you have a good sharp blade? what size cutter are you using? what size pieces are you cutting?

MamaBear61

One thing members here have said here is that different rullers measure differently. Are you using just one ruler for your cuts?

kathy

LOL maybe you starched out too much crap! ROFL
jk

Deb watkins

If your blocks are not matching up, make sure that you are cutting them the exact size. 1/4 or 1/8 inch off make a huge difference as you go along. When I need to cut several pieces the same size, I cut a strip across the entire piece of fabric, (folding it selvege to selvege then once again - making 4 layers) then open the layes to make just two, and then cut my next blocks.

stefanib123

Kathy, LOL! I really needed that, I'm having a crappy day, and feel like a big grouch.

I mostly use one ruler, its a 4x18. I have a smaller one that I use for little cuts sometimes. And I have a bigger one that I never use.

I use a 45mm Ofla, with a brand new blade in it.

Also, I am squaring it up at the beginning.

Maybe I'm not being as "careful" as I think?

Up North

It may not be your cutting, It may be your seams.

stefanib123

Yeah, that's something I'm still working on, too. But, for example, I was cutting some 5.5 inch blocks, and making HST's with them. When I would take the two blocks and put them together to sew them, they would be off. They wouldn't be the same size to line up right, know what I mean? Before I even start sewing.

When I cut with templates and scissors, they come out perfect.

I use my Cricut a lot to cut squares,etc. But, I really want to learn how to rotary cut well.

akrogirl

When you figure it out, please let me know the secret, sigh.

Like you, I take great care with my cutting - starch everything, use the same ruler etc. (used my June Tailor Shape Cut Too last time), and there are still differences.that Luckily, they are usually small enough that I can compensate when piecing, but it sure would be nice to be able to cut as precisely as the experts.

quiltilicious

That sounds like a seam problem. When you make your HSTs, do you mark the 45-degree line? If that's off, even a little, it will mess up your resulting blocks.

Once the line's been marked, make sure you do a proper 1/4 inch on BOTH sides - having a 1/4-in foot really helps with that.

you may also want to try marking the seam line on your HSTs before you sew, and sew slowly amd make sure your needle hits the line.