Stitchit123

While cutting folded fabric I Never cut across the fold I open it up I no longer get that Wonky Waste

Holice

If the fabric has a directional pattern in it, I will measure and cut according to the pattern.

jaciqltznok

yep, RIP...I do them about 1/4" larger and then spritz and iron and remeasure..if I need to trim them down I do, but usually it does not matter, and they lie so much flatter!

BluegrassGurl

What a great question and responses. I have always cut my borders and never considered ripping.... mmmm... with the overwhelming response of "ripping".... I'm gonna try it on my current quilt. Thanks everyone!

Steady Stiching

I'm a closet ripper too! Some think this practice is wrong, but my ripping skills are far better than my cutting skills. I always rip vertical but only rip WOF to initally square up the piece.

vjengels

I use my mat & ruler... cutting right to left instead of left to right or bottom to top.... does that make sense? Your fabric is laid out horizontially, short edge going away from you... cutting down the horizontal length at the bottom edge of the fabric ( ruler is hanging off the bottom edge of fabric)

PolkaBabe

Yes your edge is slightly fringy, but it is straight. I iron/press the edges before sewing then will look better.

jpthequilter

I pull a thread a reasonable distance, then cut along it, then pull it again another ways and cut it, until I get to the length I want.
It is very accurate and I know it sounds slow, but isn't because it doesn't have to be trimmed!

Tweety2911

Me too:-)

meemersmom

I was the same way. Then one time i tried to touch up the edges w/ a spritz of starch and a blast from the steam iron and they were just fine. And, if using for a border, I sew the strips on with a 1/2" seam allowance instead of the standard 1/4". Same thing when I'm sewing together longer pieces for a backing.